[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6458399,"mediaKeyId","5820931-52d47cecf09fcaaee0aee83ae3ea162c","parentId",5820931,"title","Michigan City board says kennel expansion work expected soon amid public concern over space and conditions","audioSeconds",413,"startMs",660000,"endMs",1073000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5820931-52d47cecf09fcaaee0aee83ae3ea162c&start=660&end=1073","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5820931-52d47cecf09fcaaee0aee83ae3ea162c/thumbnail_660000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458399/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Michigan-City-board-says-kennel-expansion-work-expected-soon-amid-public-concern-over-space-and-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458399-2ce16d48ddf044b364f1ca290b05d18f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660024&Signature=oo1~blvil8eyis0x7XEFQtJRUIOmBH02Q~ckqtR-HGhvzZFaJgXKeI6ToUiSjNIAHsKU4VubO-MbCSEPB0fQlfjR61LW7OX-jgAo3w5A8gJXeyN~R895JH7Y4hK-T5ztR3jge44JWPwV1Ee6WMJywXfbOZeg4z58~wbJ6YCc-9923tIRtKDgs~S2Ug62Mz9-3y1mydO7DH861C3gUG7LQAQY3NEafrlZje9RFwz-VPMdMJrp~kyNZZlIQc~yQHTUr1mCSm~~xHSsPlx0LnLgTGgYQjlv9ixaBdeGQchPZVo9fJwzrN~4HowDFv1N53td7pd3o79UydhMLrfR8A8MeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Michigan City, IN","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","Michigan City Animal Control Board members said Sept. 24 that work on a planned kennel expansion was expected to begin soon and that most construction would be handled internally, while residents urged the board for a clearer timeline and said current kennel space is inadequate.

Chairperson Dave Cooney told the board he had discussed the project with staff and contractors and that Andy Botanic and contractor Terry Borloff were coordinating site work and internal construction; he said concrete subcontractors were still being scheduled but that staff expected ground‑breaking within a few weeks.

At least one public commenter described current kennel conditions as overcrowded and called for faster progress: \"Some of those dogs have been there for months,\" the commenter said, adding that runs were falling into disrepair and that the kennel lacked space. Board members said the expansion is a priority and that they would follow up with contractors after the meeting for scheduling details.

Board staff said the new space will be largely constructed by the city department with select subcontracted work (for example, concrete paths). Members noted the expansion has been under discussion for years and that additional kennel capacity is expected to ease pressure on TNR operations and placement of seized animals.

No formal construction contract or funding appropriation was approved at the Sept. 24 meeting; the board said internal scheduling rather than ordinance action is the immediate next step. Staff pledged to report timing details to the board when they are confirmed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Michigan City Animal Control Board September 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members said contractors are lined up and internal work will start soon on a planned kennel expansion; public commenters pressed for a clear ground‑breaking timeline and described overcrowded runs and dogs kept for months in small spaces.","taxTitle","Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana","taxId",12510,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458404,"Michigan City board hears continuing strain on trap‑neuter‑return efforts as feral cat numbers rise",1020,166000,1186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5820931-52d47cecf09fcaaee0aee83ae3ea162c&start=166&end=1186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5820931-52d47cecf09fcaaee0aee83ae3ea162c/thumbnail_166000.jpg","/articles/6458404/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Michigan-City-board-hears-continuing-strain-on-trapneuterreturn-efforts-as-feral-cat-numbers-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458404-573d00b60a5838d2954108005886c940/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660024&Signature=bLPKmZmaPRukfgHviWVgFSIiMV4z87gDT6~vjMS6wdIV7YUbtxK0RUeKYSfezv6FmExFApPKI42lzoVcGprKudBp2EwtKxOMfQjtB5JzwiN8XWdzuzcNnX-8bcin6CAWJ6b5ccpYzxVXZb5v4ppSQGKA7R~mONRY17dSUyYA792cb5HtOoRllrb9cNeJT6kUDolKeqzV0uujUT1A9kIEbUhopItMBRm1EXYx55jourNoZUAjLaEX6R-2w~I4PorHJngFoaNKf6-2H2~GIEHIFTR202KntD66mx-Jrp~kBSLMmYhr4pKuyjc417yDOoX5Yo8s1tB5j4u~X0JeyMAOiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Animal Control staff and board members at the Michigan City Animal Control Board meeting Sept. 24 reported continued trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) operations but said the program is not keeping pace with the number of free‑roaming cats in the city.

The discussion centered on program capacity, timing of trapping, community feeding practices and the recent loss of a local volunteer resource that helped run TNR clinics.

Animal Control Officer Dunham provided a February–Sept. activity summary showing 64 cats collected between Feb. 13, 2025, and Sept. 4, 2025; 35 were female and 29 were male. Monthly tallies the board reviewed included: five cats in February, 16 in March, six in April, eight in July, 11 in August and 11 in a September session. Staff said trap location and the hour traps were set affected capture rates.

Board members and volunteers described recurring obstacles to trapping. Staff said traps set later in the day often miss cats because animals are more active and easier to catch early in the morning. One staff member explained the practical change needed: set traps earlier so animals that are fed in the morning will be out and available.

Board members and volunteers stressed that public feeding of unowned cats contributes to population growth and complicates TNR: \"If they're gonna feed their cats, they should be taking responsibility for the cats to get them fixed,\" a volunteer said at the meeting. Staff members said some caregivers feed feral colonies daily and that caregivers are not always reachable in time to delay feeding before scheduled trapping.

Program capacity is constrained by kennel availability and clinic access. Staff said several high‑volume situations (described as “cat warehouses” or hoarding situations) repeatedly divert resources from planned TNR locations. The board noted that partnering clinics provide lower‑cost spay/neuter options but still present a cost barrier for caregivers: staff named local clinics charging roughly $75–$105 per surgery and said some clinics offer financial assistance.

Volunteers and board members proposed several near‑term steps discussed at the meeting: recruit more volunteers for capture and transport, compile lists of caregivers and colony locations to target outreach, and coordinate periodic mobile or pop‑up clinics in larger spaces (for example, school gymnasiums or community rooms) to increase throughput. One volunteer offered to help organize outreach and fundraising for subsidized surgeries.

The board did not adopt any new policy or budget at the meeting; members instructed staff to continue outreach to partners and volunteer groups and to seek ways to increase TNR capacity.

The board plans to continue TNR reporting at future meetings and to follow up on volunteer recruitment and potential mobile clinic arrangements.","Board members and staff reported ongoing TNR activity but said capacity limits, public feeding, and a recent volunteer loss have reduced net progress; Animal Control provided a February–September activity summary showing 64 cats collected and monthly variation in TNR session yields.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458389,"Board seeks additional part‑time support and ordinance change to reimburse outside kennels",86,1242000,1328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5820931-52d47cecf09fcaaee0aee83ae3ea162c&start=1242&end=1328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5820931-52d47cecf09fcaaee0aee83ae3ea162c/thumbnail_1242000.jpg","/articles/6458389/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Board-seeks-additional-parttime-support-and-ordinance-change-to-reimburse-outside-kennels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458389-16fad86a18b104c0809e5e9642584738/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660024&Signature=Avp~v04eugL6slwxAne-wtkzhc8Ym3TBZzf3EcvbNtxsUIsKuyjWBlz1Glkbe8lLDB-rH4zxERAH~qVoxAmnBmXRTBqE7gXogjAPUhaVnDcm0nE6YFwAed0VO~qrYjnrPSLsJfbOXrFHckMsrnoBVUGOjRUHj8qETuoa2uKlg1AkFPVOFlxOku5p3CfbvW0aQHKTpOnqu-eXN6kAjYdUGBQVsVIOZextFZlCQgOZHcrTr2hSwU5dJhaReE86AOAakJ678ktOPjAkdBWELZ5icL1HuRan6~SFTm-DAHw~K4s0floPmpVXbzwdtKqKA6kXu7nqXOq7FpJVZNUlr08aqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michigan City Animal Control Board members said Sept. 24 that they have requested a part‑time hire to provide additional weekend coverage and have asked the city attorney to review adding outside kennels to the municipal reimbursement ordinance.

Board members reported an outstanding request to human resources and to the mayor for a part‑time position to ease weekend staffing. Chairperson Dave Cooney said the request is under consideration in the city budget process and that the board has a meeting later the same day to continue those budget discussions.

Separately, staff told the board they have asked the city attorney to draft language adding a local partner kennel (for example, Lake Shore Paws in Valparaiso was discussed) to the existing ordinance so the city can reimburse partner organizations for holding animals. The board said the change would be added to the ordinance and, if approved, would take effect after ordinance adoption; staff said they hope to have the addition in place by January but no ordinance or appropriation was adopted at the Sept. 24 meeting.

Board members also spoke about potential pay parity for animal control officers and acknowledged ongoing coordination with the mayor and budget staff to address compensation concerns; members said the issue is on city budget and mayoral agendas and that progress is expected in the coming months.

No formal hiring or ordinance changes were approved at the meeting; board members asked staff to continue coordination with HR, the city attorney and the mayor and to report updates at future meetings.","Members said they have requested a part‑time hire for weekend coverage and have asked the city attorney about adding other kennels to the municipal reimbursement ordinance; both items are pending and expected to be discussed in the budget cycle.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458394,"Michigan City Animal Control reports steady intake; large share of animals returned or transferred to partner shelters",258,789000,1047000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5820931-52d47cecf09fcaaee0aee83ae3ea162c&start=789&end=1047","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5820931-52d47cecf09fcaaee0aee83ae3ea162c/thumbnail_789000.jpg","/articles/6458394/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Michigan-City-Animal-Control-reports-steady-intake-large-share-of-animals-returned-or-transferred-to-partner-shelters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458394-b902932d844adef6a88e365870ed6b37/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660024&Signature=dVvzk-u5-h4Y9m~YJVc4O-I1L2nJMR1WFAhiQeDCwiktjF2CeHTxk7gpN8NdHvhEezEzzwI-JUpRPvWAgbPj2uHPomRMxg2mIfrQ2e2sOyCtuWEbMzzi9lTekRqeYv7gYA2PXRLPT59XgO8UEvCUcRz8RgY7gK5We1LxOQerudKTroxqg91gePAlXbz2S1pDjN9pYAH4AZtu7-Cv0uSuXtO~SyK2csNvJz9h8hPGHDJAH0tbrUAlawCa8-pQDP2hvV1~UHbTIRua4nARMPfgbvsI9UxGkcen~YJjWEZjjICNXunNuRa4~xHFOq7HQlxggoZv1lwBOObd4Plu2IuXXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michigan City Animal Control presented intake and outcome figures at the Sept. 24 meeting, showing substantial year‑to‑date activity and a heavy workload for patrol officers.

For January–March 2025 the board reviewed totals of 81 dogs, 29 cats and one other animal. Of the 81 dogs, 48 were returned to owners; partner placements included Michigan Humane Society (6), La Porte County Small Animal Shelter (6), and Lakeshore Paws (16). Two dogs were fostered and one dog was euthanized for aggression or by court order. Of 29 cats, 15 were transferred to the Michigan Humane Society, eight to the La Porte County Small Animal Shelter, one was euthanized due to injury and five were found deceased. One rabbit was fostered.

For April–June 2025 the board reviewed 80 dogs, 32 cats and two other animals. Of the 80 dogs, 42 were returned to owners; partner placements included Chaney Humane Society (15), La Porte County Small Animal Shelter (4) and Lakeshore Paws (8). Three dogs were euthanized due to injury, one for aggression and six were found deceased. Of 32 cats, two were returned to owners; partner transfers included Chaney Humane Society (10), La Porte County Small Animal Shelter (5) and a local cat shelter listed as \"Freed's\" (7); one cat was euthanized due to injury and seven were found deceased.

Board members noted the kennel had been emptied earlier in the year but is full again and praised the three animal patrol officers for handling a continued heavy caseload year‑round. In response to a board question, staff said the most common reason animals were \"found deceased\" is vehicle strikes or unknown causes; the department photographs and scans animals for microchips in case an owner can be identified.

No policy changes were adopted. The board thanked staff and said it will continue monitoring intake and placement metrics at future meetings.","Board reviewed shelter intake for Jan–Mar and Apr–Jun 2025: combined hundreds of animals with returns to owners, transfers to partner organizations, and a small number euthanized or found deceased; board praised staff for heavy workload.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Michigan City board says kennel expansion work expected soon amid public concern over space and conditions

Michigan City board hears continuing strain on trap‑neuter‑return efforts as feral cat numbers rise

Board seeks additional part‑time support and ordinance change to reimburse outside kennels

Michigan City Animal Control reports steady intake; large share of animals returned or transferred to partner shelters