City to privatize animal shelter???

A new and chilling rumor has surfaced regarding Indianapolis Animal Care & Control (IACC). It's chilling because although it's unsubstantiated, it tends to pull together a lot of pieces of the current puzzle. Right now, IACC is under more intense scrutiny than any time in history. Reports are that administrator Rae is on a very short leash, having to account for every action and file frequent reports; Public Safety (PS) is sending muscle in dark suits in weekly or more often to interrogate staff over any and every detail. Although acting PS director Renner assures people who have been lucky enough to get a response from him that this is all part of "helping" Rae and IACC be better, the constant onslaught from the City-County Building is seriously impacting morale at the facility. Steve Quick is making sure that the union does their part too, and is continuing his campaign to cry fowl at the slightest provocation. Heaven forbid the vending machine in the break room runs out of Cheesy Crackers...it'll be heard at the mayor's office as Rae's latest failure.

So why go to such trouble? What could possibly motivate folks downtown to put a virtual stranglehold on their own division? Can you spell P-R-I-V-A-T-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N? Rumor mill from IACC is that Renner has an aggressive schedule to have the kennel operations of IACC under the auspices of a private contractor by January 1, 2010. Presumably, the field officers would then fall under the control of the newly created Code Enforcement division -- a move that was attempted and deferred earlier this year.

What's the precedent? We've already seen lots of discussion about privatization in the Mayor's Action Center, now the Indy Parks. What many may not realize is that nearly a decade ago, Humane Society of Indianapolis (HSI) ran the kennel operations at the city's shelter under contract. This eliminates a lot of headaches for the city, including several AFSCME union employees.Why would union president Quick like this? It's hard to imagine he would. He may be a dupe in someone else's plot, or perhaps there are more angles at play than the rumor mill has yet realized.

Suddenly, HSI's interest in participating in a meeting airing gripes about adminstrator Rae makes perfect sense. You may recall that at the end of July, outgoing PS director Newman and acting director Renner, as well as 6 councilors and some disgruntled animal interest groups (who, by the way, just announced they want $3M, including money from the city, to start their own spay/neuter clinic & HQ for their respective groups) had a secret meeting hosted and attended by HSI. Many asked why HSI would involve themselves in such an activity. The answer is now painfully clear -- the almighty dollar! One can but speculate what portion of the approximately $3.5M shown in the 2010 IACC budget HSI would expect to receive for managing the shelter, but I am sure they would make it worth their while.

Anyone who has ever put together a puzzle knows the satisfaction we get when all the pieces suddenly start to "fall into place". Unfortunately, this is one time when the clarity comes with a steep price to the citizens of Indianapolis. Losing the first --and only-- administrator of the city's shelter with actual sheltering expertise would be an incalculable loss to the animals and people of the city.

Don't like what's happening to IACC and want to do something about it?

• Attend the IACC board meeting on Weds Sept 9, 6pm in the assembly room of the City-County Building. 
• Write the Mayor:
  Honorable Mayor Greg Ballard
  2501 City-County Building
  200 E. Washington St
  Indianapolis, IN 46204
• Send/make a donation to the Friends of Indianapolis Animal Care and Control and make sure to note that you want to support the continuing improvements at the city's shelter under administrator Rae
• Write a note to councilor Ryan Vaughn, chairman of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee (oversees issues related to IACC) and ask him to support the good work happening at the city's shelter and oppose any efforts to dismantle all the great improvements made, and still coming:
  Councilor Ryan Vaughn
  vaughnforcouncil@gmail.com
  8212 N. College Ave.
  Indianapolis, IN 46240