Indianapolis City-County Council approves mayor's choice for IACS Director

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indianapolis City-County Council has approved Mayor Joe Hogsett's appointment of a new director of Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS).




With the council's approval, Amanda Dehoney-Hinkle will officially take the reins of Indy's animal shelter and rescue ecosystem. Dehoney-Hinkle was first appointed to the role by Hogsett on July 21.




Dehoney-Hinkle has more than 15 years of experience in municipal shelter operations and animal control. Before she joined IACS, Dehony-Hinkle was Superintendent of Greenfield-Hancock County Animal Management for nine years.




Per a release from the City of Indianapolis, Dehoney-Hinkle "led innovative programs in animal shelter design, enforcement procedures and public engagement." The City's release also indicates that Dehoney-Hinkle played a pivotal role in the development of a community-focused and modern animal shelter in Hancock County.




"Throughout the course of her career, the well-being and safety of animals have always been at the center of Amanda Dehoney-Hinkle's work," Hogsett said via release on July 2. "When you combine her passion for animal welfare, her care and commitment to the communities she serves, and her ability to lead a team through a transition to a new facility, Amanda's experience will serve her well as the Director of Indianapolis Animal Care Services."

The City indicated that Dehoney-Hinkle began her career in animal care services at IACS. She worked there for six years and rose through the ranks to become Deputy Chief of Kennel Operations. Dehoney-Hinkle also served as the organization's interim director for a time.




Dehoney-Hinkle holds certificates in shelter medicine, disaster response, animal handling and leadership. She's received her certifications from the ASPCA, FEMA and University of Florida's Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program.




According to the City's release, IACS is one of the busiest animal welfare organizations in the State of Indiana.




Dehoney-Hinkle is rejoining the organization at a pivotal point in its history. Last June, the organization broke ground on a new facility. At the time of its groundbreaking, the new facility was slated to open in 2026.




The new facility will replace IACS' current, dated building. Numerous reports of overcrowding at the old facility have surfaced since 2022. IACS even suspended its intake of animals at least two times - once in October 2023 and again in September 2024.




On both occasions, IACS suspended its intake of animals after dogs died at the facility. The October 2023 deaths were attributed to a bacterial strain. The September 2024 incident involved a dog that contracted a sudden and unexpected illness before dying.




During interviews with FOX59/CBS4 last June, City leaders indicated that they expect IACS' new facility to alleviate some of the issues the organization has faced. Officials also told FOX59/CBS4 that IACS' current facility was never intended to function as a mass adoption center.




IACS has also faced staffing shortages since at least 2022. A lawsuit was filed against the agency in November 2023. That lawsuit alleged that volunteers were threatened with termination when they wanted to speak out about the conditions at the shelter.




Dehoney-Hinkle is at least the second person the mayor has tapped to be the next director of IACS this year. In March, Hogsett wanted to permanently appoint Kelly Diamond to IACS' director position. The City-County Council tabled the mayor's proposed appointment indefinitely during a March 3 meeting, effectively rejecting Diamond's proposed appointment.




Dehoney-Hinkle's appointment was approved by the council's community affairs committee last month. That approval allowed her appointment to be heard and ultimately approved by the full council on Monday night.





via: https://fox59.com/news/indianapolis-city-county-council-approves-mayors-choice-for-iacs-director/