COLUMBUS, IN — Columbus Animal Care Services (CACS) has announced an urgent, fee-waived adoption event through the end of July to address severe overcrowding at its facility.
Shelter officials report that the municipal facility is full, with every single kennel occupied and new dogs continuously arriving with nowhere to place them. To alleviate the strain on resources and open up life-saving kennel space, the shelter is offering free adoptions for all dogs older than six months.
While the standard adoption fee (typically $100 for dogs) is being waived, the shelter emphasizes that the standard screening process remains strictly in place. Staff will continue to review veterinary histories, verify lease agreements with landlords for renters, and cross-reference background checks to ensure pets transition into safe, permanent homes.
Every free adoption still includes comprehensive medical prep, covering spaying or neutering, age-appropriate vaccinations, and microchipping before the animal leaves the facility.
A Long-Standing Capacity Struggle
The current emergency push comes as city officials finalize plans to replace the heavily outdated shelter on Arnold Street. The existing 4,900-square-foot building routinely handles more than double its intended capacity during peak summer months. Relief is on the horizon with a planned 21,113-square-foot replacement facility, but shelter workers face an immediate crisis managing the current population influx.
CACS Director Nicohl Birdwell Goodin noted that the overcrowding is currently specific to dogs; the facility’s cat population is manageable, meaning standard $80 adoption fees still apply to felines.
How to Help Beyond Adoption
For local residents who want to support the shelter but are unable to commit to a permanent adoption, officials say alternative avenues are desperately needed:
- Fostering: Temporary foster placements—even for just a few days or weeks—help reduce kennel traffic and allow staff to gather vital behavioral data about how the dogs behave in a home environment. The shelter provides all necessary food and medical supplies for foster families.
- Volunteering: Additional hands are needed at the facility for dog walking, kennel cleaning, and socialization.
- Social Sharing: Simply sharing photos of adoptable animals on social media significantly boosts their chances of being seen by prospective families.
Shelter Location and Hours
The Columbus Animal Care Services shelter is located at 2730 Arnold Street. The facility is open to the public during the following hours:
- Monday through Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
- Note: The shelter is closed on Thursdays and Sundays.
Interested adopters can view available animals online through Petfinder or the city’s website. For more information on the adoption process or to sign up as a foster parent, community members can call the shelter directly at 812-376-2505.
