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There are three things we needed to continue providing the services we do; space, people, and time. 

We knew going into 2022 we needed more help because the needs of the community and animals in our care are ever growing.  Early in the year we began to discuss our needs with the City Administration who also agreed we needed help.  We were fortunate to have held several meetings with tours over the summer to the members of City Council.  Each visit included an overview of our need for staff and space to continue providing life saving services.  We also shared with the Community our intentions of requesting more staff and space. 

Thanks to the support of the City Administration, City Council, and our Community, we’ll be able to not only increase our staff but also begin looking at how to effectively expand our shelter’s existing footprint.  On behalf of our staff and volunteers, we are truly grateful for the support we’ve received.  We are looking forward to 2023 so we can continue to ensure we place every behaviorally and medically sound animal into new homes; provide resources to keep animals in their loving homes; and be the voice for the animals who are in neglectful situations. 

- Amy-Jo Sites, Director 

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FORT WAYNE, IN –Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control is participating in the national Return to Home Challenge the entire month of October in an effort to keep animals out of the shelter and in their homes.

One in three pets will become lost at some point in their life. So far this year 71 percent of lost dogs that have come into the shelter have been claimed by their owner, only 9 percent of lost cats have been returned home.

During the entire month of October, FWACC will be participating in the Return to Home Challenge hosted by national animal welfare agency, Maddie’s Fund. In an effort to help more animals find their way back home, Animal Control Officers will offer free microchipping and vaccines to animals they encounter in the community to help prevent animals coming into the shelter. To encourage more pet owners to claim their lost pets from the shelter the first-time redemption fee will be waived all month long.

If your pet is already microchipped, make sure all information linked to your pet’s chip is up-to-date so you can be contacted if your pet is lost. Learn more about updating your information here.

Losing a pet can be devastating. Not knowing what to do when your pet is lost can make the situation even more stressful. Being prepared and always having ID tags with current information and a permanent microchip are essential to being reunited with your pet. To see more tips on what to do if you LOSE a pet or FIND a lost pet click here.

Follow FWACC on Facebook for more tips on how to keep your pets safe and at home where they are loved.

Pet owners can contact Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control at 427-1244 option 1 with questions or visit fwacc.org.

To learn more about the Return To Home Challenge and Maddie’s Fund click here.

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Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control, Allen County Sheriff's Department and Allen County Department of Health want to remind citizens how they can protect their families and pets from animal bites and possible exposure to rabies. The agencies also want to ensure citizens understand the steps they should take to report a bite if it should occur. 

In 2021, 1,349 bites or exposures to people and pets were reported to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control. Exposures are anytime a person or animal comes into contact with a bat, raccoon or other wild animal that could possibly be a carrier of rabies. It's important that ALL animal bites to people and pets are reported to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control. 

 

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WHY REPORTING BITES AND EXPOSURES IS IMPORTANT

Bites must be reported to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control to ensure proper procedure is followed in the instance the animal and/or person were exposed to rabies. Rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system that is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. The virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and is usually transmitted to people and other animals when they are bitten or scratched by the rabid animal. In some instances a biting animal can be tested for rabies. In other cases proper steps and an observation quarantine period must be followed to keep pets and people safe. 
 

DOG/CAT/FERRET BITES

If the biting animal is a dog, cat or ferret it will be required to complete a 10-day quarantine. Many times the animal can complete the quarantine period in its home, while other times the animal may be required to complete the quarantine period at the shelter. Physicians, veterinarians and other medical professionals must report all bites to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control.

Biting pets are required to show proof of a rabies vaccine and must be microchipped within 30 days of completing a required quarantine.

We understand that some people may be hesitant to report bites because they are worried about what might happen to their dog. We understand that bites happen and it is our goal to keeps pets in their homes when possible. Biting dogs are not automatically euthanized, in fact most biting dogs complete their quarantine period and remain with their families if the owners wish to keep them. 

Dog bites are categorized into one of four "Levels" based on the circumstances and severity of bite. 

To learn more about Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control ordinances and reporting requirements please click HERE.

 

BATS

Bats transmit the most human cases of rabies in Indiana. While it is still a low percentage of bats that do carry rabies, a bat that is active during the day, is unable to fly, or is found in a place where bats are not usually seen -- such as a room in your home -- is more likely to be rabid.

Bats present an additional concern because they have small, sharp teeth which may not leave a visible mark. Persons exposed to bats are often given the rabies vaccine as a precaution, especially if the bat is found in a room with a young child or sleeping person.

In many cases, however, the expensive treatment is unnecessary if the bat can be safely captured alive and found to be rabies-free.

If a bat is found inside your home, do not kill it or set it free if there is a chance it may have come in contact with a person or pet. Instead, residents are urged to contain the bat and contact Animal Care & Control immediately so the bat can be tested for rabies.

To safely capture a bat indoors:

  • close the windows, room and closet doors
  • turn on lights
  • wait for the bat to land
  • wearing long sleeves and heavy gloves, cover the bat with a pail, coffee can or similar container
  • NEVER touch a bat with your bare hands
  • call your local animal control office

If you spot a grounded bat outdoors, you can prevent further contact with people and pets by covering it with a pail or similar container and then calling Animal Care & Control at 427-1244 option 1. 

 

WILD ANIMALS

It is against city ordinance to own, house or handle wild animals. Wild animals can transmit diseases to humans. Bats, skunks, foxes, raccoons and coyotes pose the greatest risk of transmitting rabies to humans in the state of Indiana. Dogs and cats can also transmit rabies to humans if they come into contact with an infected wild animal. 

If you find baby raccoons or other wild animals that need assistance from an Animal Control Officer DO NOT touch them. Handling wild animals puts them and you at risk. 

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'VE BEEN BITTEN

If a bite does occur, immediately wash the wound with soap and water and then seek medical attention. Call Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control at (260) 427-1244 or ask your healthcare provider or the emergency room staff to fax a completed bite report form to (260) 427-5514. ALL BITES MUST BE REPORTED TO FORT WAYNE ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL.

For more information about rabies click HERE

 

 

Director Amy-Jo Sites

AmyJo

Adoption Lobby Hours:

12:00 - 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
12:00 - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. First Saturday of each month


CLOSED Monday, Saturday & Sunday FOR ADOPTIONS
To submit a pet adoption profile, you must do so 15-minutes before closing to allow sufficient time for processing.


Business Office Hours (lost & found- receiving lobby- citations or other law enforcement concerns):

11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Mon-Fri
CLOSED Saturday & Sunday


Animal Control Officer Assistance
260-427-1244
9am-8pm Monday - Friday
After 8pm, weekend & holidays,
call 260-449-3000

After Hours / Immediate Officer Assistance:
1:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. Emergencies
260-449-3000


General Contact Information:
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne IN 46808
260-427-1244
After 8 p.m. and on weekends and holidays, call 449-3000 for assistance.
Fax: 260-427-5514


It is our mission to serve our community in a humane, public safety capacity while working to keep pets with loving families by providing education opportunities and resources or facilitating re-homing or adoption when necessary.

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