​THE ANIMAL PROTECTION LEAGUE INC., INDIANA

Q. Are you Anderson Animal Care and Control?
A. On April 1, 2011, the Animal Protection League entered into a partnership with the City of Anderson to manage the operations of its Animal Shelter, formerly “Anderson Animal Care & Control”.  Animal Control remains under the direction of the Anderson City Police Department.

Q. Who do I contact to report animal abuse, neglect or a stray?
A. Each township in Madison County is responsible for their Animal Control. The Anderson City Police Department for example, has two Animal Control Officers that serve the incorporated area of the city.  The officers respond to calls that may include picking up stray or injured domestic animals, investigating animal abuse, cruelty or neglect cases, bite reports and removing deceased, domestic animals from roadside areas.  In Anderson, dial the Dispatch Line at (765) 648-6775.  For more information in Madison County, call (765) 642-0221.

Q. How many animals do you have?
A. At year's end, we will have cared for more than 4,000 homeless animals.

Q. Where do the animals come from?
A. Animals who make their way to our shelter can be strays and owner-surrenders from the City of Anderson or entities under contract in the Madison County area.

Q. How is the Animal Protection League funded?
A. We are currently in a three-year agreement with the City of Anderson to provide the majority of our operating support.  The funds however are not enough to fully meet the needs of our homeless animals.  A portion of our support, as well as funding for our prison programs and Cat Sanctuary, also rely on private donations from individuals, business contributions, grants and fundraising projects.  Every gift makes a difference and is truly valued.  A single, critically sick or injured animal or a broken piece of equipment can significantly deplete our funds. Because of our volume intake, our facility cannot survive without the additional generosity of our donors.

Q. How much money does the Animal Protection League make off of an adoption?
A. There is no profit generated from the adoption fee.  The dollars merely offset the cost of kennel care, vaccinations and applicable medical treatment and food.  Each adopted animal will be spayed or neutered.

Q. Is the Animal Protection League Shelter a No-Kill Shelter?
A. The Animal Protection League operates an open-admission shelter that accepts domestic animals regardless of health, age or temperament.  Unfortunately, there are more homeless cats and dogs within our community than there are homes, and some of these animals, reach our doors in an irremediable state.  Because we do not turn these animals away, we are faced with the decision of euthanasia.  We grieve for any animal that must be euthanized and never take the decision lightly.  

Kill and No-Kill shelters each share their burdens in having to make tough choices because of limited space. Though many No-Kill groups are able to avoid euthanasia of healthy and adoptable animals, they are faced with the challenge of having to turn animals away because there is simply not enough room.  These animals often end up in the care of an open-admission shelter and Madison County is no stranger to this outcome.

Q. Will the Animal Protection League ever operate a No-Kill Shelter?
A. Some of the animals placed into our care have extreme behavioral issues, have been severely neglected or are suffering from serious and incurable illness.  In these cases, we see humane euthanasia as a gift, as it is a compassionate measure and a gentle transition into a place where there is no more suffering or pain.

Historically, Anderson has operated as a High-Kill shelter, euthanizing for a variety of reasons including constant, overcrowded conditions.  The APL is committed to and will strive to reduce the euthanasia rate of healthy, adoptable animals.  We will maintain an open-admission policy and work to operate a humane and compassionate shelter while educating the public on the benefits of responsible pet ownership. Our priority will always be the health, safety and the future well-being of our animals and the communities we serve.

Q. Do animals run out of time at the Shelter?
A. We are working tirelessly so that no healthy or adoptable animal will ever be euthanized because it just ran out of time.  The Shelter space however, is limited and was not constructed for long-term stays.  Each animal is subject to “Kennel Stress”, the confinement insanity that occurs when animals are kept in enclosures for extended periods of time without opportunities to properly socialize, exercise and rest.  We have witnessed time and again, that stress and behavior problems can be just as deadly as illness.  Our volunteers work day and night to provide as much one-on-one attention for each animal as possible and advocate non-stop for their adoptions.

Q. Are all of the animals in your shelter sick or abused mixed breeds?
A. Not every homeless pet has come from an abusive situation or is riddled with disease.  In fact, we have a diverse bunch and typically, about 25% of adoptable animals are purebred.  Each animal placed into our care receives a medical examination, behavioral screen and is appropriately vaccinated.  For those special animals that require extra care and rehabilitation, we make every effort to provide the necessary treatment and work to find a loving family who is willing to continue their care.

Q. What is the adoption process and associated fees?
A. When a potential adopter or foster connects with a homeless animal, the next step is to complete an application.  Applications are available at the APL Shelter and are easily accessible on our website.  For serious adopters, we are happy to arrange appointments for Meet and Greets at the APL Shelter.  The APL seeks to find the best possible connection for humans and animals alike.  We want to instill in our future adopters that bringing an animal into the home is a lifelong commitment.  All adoption applications will be thoroughly screened by our adoption team and the APL Director.  In the best interest of all parties, furry and non-furry, same-day adoptions are discouraged.
Click here to learn more about our adoption process and rates.

Q.  Do you notify potential adopters when a shelter animal is sick?
A.  Yes.  We disclose as much information regarding the health and temperament of the animal, as we can.  Many of the animals who come to us are strays and we have no way of knowing if they have been vaccinated or what diseases they have been exposed to.  Most viruses/sicknesses that we encounter have a 10-14 day incubation period.  Depending on when an animal comes in and when it was exposed, it may not show signs of illness during the incubation period.

The stress animals endure in even the best of shelters can weaken their immune systems.  Even if an animal shows no signs of illness at the time of adoption or foster, it may have been exposed and may become ill in the next few days.  We offer a free wellness exam to occur within 48 hours of adoption.  This covers the cost of the office call but not medications or other procedures.  It is important that you take advantage of this free exam.  We also recommend that adopters keep new pets separated from current pets for at least 10-14 days.  At the first sign of illness we advise you to take your animal to the veterinarian.

Q.  How much money does the Animal Protection League make off of an adoption?
A. There is no profit generated from the adoption fee.  The dollars merely offset the cost of kennel care, vaccinations and applicable medical treatment, food and sterilization.  The cost to care for each animal within our facility is approximately $125.00 per week.

Q.  Do you charge rescue groups to pull animals from your facility?
A.  The Animal Protection League asks for a nominal medical and vaccination service fee of $5.00 - $25.00 per animal depending on the extent of services provided.

Q.  Why do you charge a fee to other groups to save animals?
A.  We are so grateful to each and every group who offer to save an animal in our care.  Asking for a small, medical service fee helps our organization cover the cost of routine treatment including but not limited to vaccinations, dewormer and a heartworm test.  The amount does not fully off-set the entire cost of care, but does help with the veterinary expense.  There is no profit generated from the medical service fee and the dollars are reinvested to help the next animal that makes its way to our open admission shelter.  We take comfort in knowing that these animals have received a general health exam and were appropriately vetted before exiting our facility.

Q.  What if a rescue group cannot afford to pay the medical service fee?
A.  Our goal is to save as many healthy and adoptable animals as possible.  Adoption fees are ultimately charged for rescued animals however, we understand that funding is tight and some groups are not always in the position of being able to commit to the medical service fee.  If for any reason, no medical or vaccination services have been performed by The APL, we do not ask any group to commit to the fee and request that the rescuing organization make sure the animal is properly vetted at their expense.  In the event that an animal is being considered for euthanasia, we encourage all rescues and animal welfare organizations to let us know if they are truly unable to meet the medical service cost.  We will waive the fee for a struggling rescue, in order to save the animal’s life.