Evansville announces foster-to-adopt policy and reclaim-fee changes for animal care; council told items will go to Board of Public Works

At the May 19 Evansville Common Council meeting a council member provided an update on planned changes to animal care operations, including a foster-to-adopt program and revised reclaim rules that the city’s animal care board approved on Friday.

The speaker said the Foster-to-Adopt program would allow someone who wants to adopt a dog or cat that has not yet been spayed or neutered to take the animal home rather than leaving it at animal care for two to three weeks while awaiting veterinary surgery. The council member said the Evansville Animal Care & Control Board voted unanimously in favor of the measure, and that the change must next be considered by the Board of Public Works before coming to council for a final vote.

The speaker also summarized proposed changes to reclaim hold periods and fees: four days for dogs, three days for cats, and 24 hours for community cats. The speaker said the board had approved a proposal that first-time owners whose pets are found lost could avoid reclaim fees if they agree to a voucher to spay or neuter the animal; officials said the change aims to reduce unwanted litters and free kennel space.

The council member acknowledged outreach by Councilman Johnson and local rescue groups: Johnson has been partnering with organizations to distribute pet food and supplies to help residents keep their animals and avoid surrenders; the speaker named Buddy’s Promise as a local rescue benefiting from donations.

No formal council vote on these measures was recorded at the May 19 meeting. The speaker said the Board of Public Works is scheduled to consider the foster-to-adopt item this week and that the reclaim-fee and related ordinance changes will be brought to council in June for consideration.