The Indianapolis Animal Care Services board on Oct. 27 approved three contract-related measures aimed at keeping clinic and shelter operations staffed and funded.

The board voted to extend a veterinary services contract for one year to preserve access to an existing veterinarian who is stepping away from regular shelter duties. Staff said the contractor will still have remaining funds on the current contract — roughly 40% — that could be used if the veterinarian returns. The board also noted ongoing efforts to secure additional veterinary capacity from a mix of contracted part-time veterinarians and candidates for a posted full-time position.

Board members described the current mix of veterinarians under contract as limited. Staff said one veterinarian under contract provides about eight hours of service per month, another (Dr. Burchfield) is scheduled to provide up to twice-weekly visits next month (generally assumed once a week under her contract) for an availability range staff estimated as up to roughly 30 hours per month, and a third veterinarian has indicated interest in renewing at about eight hours per month. The board also discussed a posted full-time veterinarian position that has been advertised since about August; staff reported they had not received qualified candidates cleared to work in the United States. Members noted the posted salary is set by the city-county grading schedule, which is difficult to change quickly.

At the meeting, staff presented resolution 04-25 to extend the term of the named veterinary contract by one year to preserve continuity and allow the veterinarian to return if able; the board approved the resolution. The motion was made and seconded during the meeting and carried, but no roll-call tally was provided in the transcript.

Separately, the board approved resolution 2025-5, a $50,000 contract with Keys to Work for temporary labor primarily to support cleaning and laundry services at the shelter. Staff clarified that a line in the draft resolution incorrectly listed the vendor as providing veterinary services; staff said the contract covers cleaning and laundry and that the item had been included in the department’s approved budget (under temporary/contract labor or other professional services). Staff said the shelter currently uses one Keys to Work employee and that there is the option to add more temporary workers as needed; staff also said they would like to convert that role to a regular full-time position if feasible. The board approved the contract; the motion carried with no vote tally recorded in the transcript.

The board also approved resolution 2025-6 to extend and add $25,000 to an existing contract with a long-term veterinary clinic the department has historically used. Staff said much of the clinic’s bills are paid through the department’s nonprofit supporters (referred to in the meeting as “Friends”), which reduces the city’s direct outlay. The motion to approve the $25,000 addition carried.

The board opened its meeting by approving minutes from the Sept. 22, 2025, meeting with a correction noting Danielle Heinz’s designation as the city–county council appointee rather than a mayoral appointee. The board adjourned after briefly discussing possible changes to the regular meeting time; a tentative date of Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m. was set for the next meeting.

Board members and staff repeatedly framed these votes as short-term measures to cover service gaps while the department continues recruitment and pursues additional contract options. Staff emphasized limits set by the city’s grading and pay schedule for the posted full-time veterinarian role.