Evansville officials outline Foster-to-Adopt pilot and proposed reclaim-fee changes for animal control

City officials provided an update on animal control programs during the May 19 Common Council meeting, including a Foster-to-Adopt pilot and proposed changes to reclaim fees and hold periods.

Deputy Mayor Lindsay Snyder said the Foster-to-Adopt program would allow residents to take animals home prior to spay/neuter if they intend to adopt; that change is pending a Board of Public Works vote. Snyder reported that the Evansville Animal Care and Control Board voted unanimously at its recent meeting to support the change and that it would be brought to the Board of Public Works this week. The measure is intended to free up kennel space by allowing animals to leave the shelter sooner.

Snyder said proposed reclaim-hold changes due to come before council in June would set hold periods at four days for dogs, three days for cats and 24 hours for community cats. Under a proposed reclaim-fee policy, first-time owners whose animals are impounded could avoid paying reclaim fees if they accept a voucher to spay or neuter the animal. Snyder said the goal is to reduce unwanted litters and lower shelter intake.

Snyder also thanked Councilman Johnson for coordinating donations of pet food and supplies to Buddy's Promise, a local rescue, to help residents keep pets in their homes.

The city will place formal reclaim-fee and hold-period changes on a future council agenda; the Foster-to-Adopt program requires Board of Public Works action before council consideration. No ordinance text, final fee amounts beyond the hold-day proposal, or implementation dates were adopted at the May 19 meeting.