The main Indianapolis animal control phone number is 317-327-1397, which reaches Indianapolis Animal Care Services at the city shelter.1Animal Care Services. Animal Care Services For non-emergency complaints like stray animals, barking dogs, or dead animal removal, call the RequestIndy 311 line at 317-327-4622 during business hours, or file online through the RequestIndy portal.2City of Indianapolis. Request Indy If an animal is actively attacking someone or you feel physically threatened, call 911.3indy.gov. How to Report Animal Complaints
The shelter is at 2600 S. Harding Street, Indianapolis, IN 46221. Public hours are 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, with kennel walk-throughs from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Animals are shown until 6:30 p.m., so leave time before closing if you plan to visit.1Animal Care Services. Animal Care Services
Which Number to Call
The right number depends on what you need.
- 317-327-1397 (Animal Care Services shelter): Questions about animals housed at the shelter, lost pet inquiries, adoption information, and records requests.1Animal Care Services. Animal Care Services
- 317-327-4622 (RequestIndy 311): Non-emergency complaints, available 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on business days. Use this line for stray animals, barking dogs, or dead animal removal.2City of Indianapolis. Request Indy
- RequestIndy web portal or mobile app: The same complaints, filed online anytime. Reports go directly into the system for officers to investigate.3indy.gov. How to Report Animal Complaints
- 911: Attacks in progress or immediate physical threats from a loose animal. A police officer or Animal Care Officer will be dispatched.3indy.gov. How to Report Animal Complaints
Filing a Non-Emergency Complaint
The fastest way to file a non-emergency report is through the RequestIndy web portal or the mobile app, which is available on iPhone and Android. Complaints submitted this way move directly into the system for officers to investigate, while other methods can add delays.3indy.gov. How to Report Animal Complaints On the portal, choose the “Animals” category to see complaint types such as stray animal, barking dog, or dead animal removal.2City of Indianapolis. Request Indy
When you submit, the system generates a tracking number for status checks. If you file anonymously, hold onto that number. Providing an email address gets you a confirmation with a direct link to the case.2City of Indianapolis. Request Indy
What to Include
Give an accurate address for where the problem is happening. If there is no exact address, use the nearest intersection. Describe the animal in as much detail as you can, including size, breed, and color, so the responding officer can identify it. Confirm what you are reporting is actually a violation before you file. If the animal has a known owner, adding the owner’s name or address helps officers follow up.3indy.gov. How to Report Animal Complaints
Suspected Neglect or Cruelty
For neglect or cruelty rather than a nuisance, better documentation strengthens the case. Write down what you observed with dates and times. Photos or video taken from a public location like a sidewalk can support the report, but do not trespass onto private property to get them. If other people witnessed what happened and are willing to speak with investigators, include their names and contact information. Note when you filed and who you spoke with so you can follow up.
Emergencies and Animal Bites
Call 911 immediately if an animal is attacking someone or you feel physically threatened by a loose one. The dispatcher will ask where you are, what the animal looks like, whether anyone is injured, and which direction the animal is heading. Keep a safe distance and update the responding officer as things change.3indy.gov. How to Report Animal Complaints
Bites should also be reported to the Indiana Department of Health, which tracks rabies exposure statewide.4IN.gov. Rabies Information: Report an Animal Bite After a bite, the animal is typically placed under a quarantine period so officials can watch for signs of rabies.
Lost or Impounded Pets
If your pet goes missing, call Animal Care Services at 317-327-1397 as soon as you can to check whether it has been brought in.1Animal Care Services. Animal Care Services Under Marion County ordinance, stray animals must be held for four days so owners can reclaim them. Claims must be made in person at the shelter during public hours. After the four-day hold, the animal can be adopted out or transferred to another shelter.
If more than four days have passed, you can submit a public records request through the city’s website to learn whether someone adopted your pet. On the form, select government records, then the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, then animal care records. It also helps to post on social platforms like Facebook and Nextdoor, and on lost-pet services such as Indy Lost Pet Alert and Petco Love Lost, which let you upload a photo and activate a search alert.