Evansville Animal Control: New Services, First Responder Status & Easter Events

Evansville Animal Care and Control is implementing several changes aimed at improving services for both pets and their owners, including a modern classification for Animal Control officers as first responders. The changes, announced this week, also include the creation of a lost and found board, an adoption showcase, and a pet food and supply pantry.

The shift in designation for Animal Control officers recognizes the increasingly complex and often dangerous nature of their perform, according to Missy Mosby, Director of Animal Care and Control. “They’re first on the scene for different dispatch calls,” Mosby explained. “They get dispatch for fires as well, because sometimes there’s pets in the house. Sometimes, the pets are alive. Sometimes the pets are deceased. So, we get called to do that and run with the fire department.”

Animal Control Officer Allie Masterson highlighted the investigative role her team plays alongside the Evansville Police Department (EPD). “We do a lot of investigations,” Masterson said. “So, even when we work with EPD, we have our own investigation that we do. So, they have their separate investigation than what we have. So, we have to check all of our boxes notice if it’s cruelty, neglect, anything like that.”

Responding to a demonstrated demand within the community, Masterson spearheaded the creation of the pet food and supply pantry. She observed firsthand the difficult choices facing pet owners struggling with financial hardship. “To see these people be able to keep their animals – we’ve had a lot of people come in to surrender their pets because they couldn’t afford food. I helped them get the pet food and everything that they needed and they were able to keep their pets,” Masterson said.

The Evansville Vanderburgh Animal Care & Control Shelter, located at 815 Uhlhorn Street, took in 3,050 dogs and cats in 2024, along with a variety of other animals including rabbits, chickens, and reptiles, according to city records. The shelter operates Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Animals are held for seven days to allow owners to reclaim them before becoming eligible for adoption or, if space is limited, potential euthanasia, according to shelter protocols.

Mosby expressed pride in her team and their dedication to the community. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of the team we have here and the work that they do. They really love their jobs and they really are representing our community incredibly well,” Mosby said.

Animal Care and Control has announced a series of Easter-themed events, including a visit from ‘Project A.R.F.’ on Saturday, March 28, to provide a special meal for the shelter animals. An adoption event will also be held, offering adopters the chance to discover their adoption fee by cracking open an Easter egg.