Next week, the Muncie Animal Care and Services will get a new director.  As IPR’s Thomas Ouellette reports, a lifelong Muncie resident will take the top job trying to find unwanted animals new homes.

Josh Taulbee (Courtesy of the City of Muncie)

Despite the Muncie shelter frequently facing problems with overcrowding, the shelter has been proudly “no-kill” for several years. And new MACS director Josh Taulbee says he plans to keep it that way.

“We are committed to remaining a no kill shelter. Even you know, with the overcrowding, there are other solutions. Other than that, and we just got to think of those solutions outside the box. And that’s one of the reasons I’m here is to do that.”

The shelter’s records show it received more than 600 animals since 2022 alone, with that number growing higher each year.  Currently, every kennel in the shelter is full, holding nearly 200 animals at capacity.

Among Taulbee’s goals for the shelter is an increase in community outreach.

“I’ve got a few goals, obviously, but the perfect goal would be to be empty. So, most of my goals are geared towards that or providing the best quality of life for the animals while they’re here in our care.”

Taulbee will begin his job next Tuesday.

On April 26 and 27, MACS is holding a “Flash Adoption Special” with reduced adoption fees.

Thomas Ouellette is our reporter and producer.  Contact him at thomas.ouellette@bsu.edu.