The Indianapolis Animal Care Services (ICS) board on Oct. 27 approved three resolutions that extend or add to existing veterinary-service contracts and renew a temporary labor agreement, actions the board said are intended to maintain care while the agency continues recruiting for a permanent veterinarian.

Board members approved Resolution 04-25 to extend Dr. De Bridal’s licensed veterinary services contract for one year; Resolution 2025-5 to authorize a $50,000 temporary-labor contract with Keys to Work for cleaning and laundry services; and Resolution 2025-6 to extend a long-standing veterinary clinic contract and add $25,000 to that agreement. Each resolution was moved and seconded and the board approved all three; vote tallies were not specified in the meeting record.

The board’s staff presenter, identified in the meeting as James Finlayson, told members that the extension for Dr. De Bridal would allow the veterinarian “to catch up” and give the shelter another option if he later returns. Finlayson said De Bridal currently provides about eight hours of service per month and indicated the veterinarian is “stepping away from the shelter for now.” He said another clinic under contract typically provides up to about 30 hours a month (with availability twice weekly next month) and a third veterinarian has about eight hours a month under contract.

Finlayson said ICS has posted a full-time veterinarian position since roughly August but has not received qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. He also told the board that the posted salary for the full-time position is set by the city–county grading schedule, which is difficult to change quickly.

On Resolution 2025-5, Finlayson noted the agenda language misstated the vendor’s services as “veterinary services”; staff clarified the contract is for temporary labor primarily performing laundry and cleaning. The board approved the $50,000 authorization; Finlayson said the intent is to continue using one regular temp employee and have the option to add short-term help as needed.

Regarding Resolution 2025-6, Finlayson said the vendor is a long-term clinic partner and that a large portion of bills to that vendor are paid through “friends” (board discussion used the term "friends"); the resolution adds $25,000 while keeping the existing contract term in place.

Board members exercised routine procedural approval for the three items after brief questions about wording and budget placement. Members discussed that the temporary-labor expense was already included in the approved 2026 budget under a broad line (described in the meeting as “temporary or contract labor” or “other professional services”), and Finlayson confirmed the contracts comport with that budget allocation.

The board noted the difficulty of hiring for the permanent veterinarian slot and that staff will continue pursuing additional contracted hours from existing veterinarians while recruitment continues. The board set its next meeting for Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m., subject to a possible time change.