February Marks Be Compassionate Bloomington Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2007

For more information, contact:
Maria Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569/p>

[image:1769,left]Bloomington, IN-- February encourages us to have big hearts on Valentine's Day, so the City of Bloomington is declaring it Be Compassionate Bloomington month, the latest addition to the 2007 Be Bloomington campaign.

"This month's Be Bloomington theme has gone to the dogs, literally," Mayor Mark Kruzan said. "We chose to highlight the City's Animal Shelter and other local animal welfare groups in an effort to bring attention to the many animals in need of good homes and compassionate guardians."

Boosters this month include four local animal welfare organizations: Pets ALIVE, Monroe County Humane Association, Wild Care Inc. and Feral Cat Friends.

The boosters will join the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter at Tutto Béne Café and Wine Bar, located at 213 S Rogers St, for a special event, appropriately titled "Bark and Wine!" The event is a night to celebrate animals and the groups that help them. The event also features a news conference to announce the upcoming Adopt Today! Animal Shelter adoption campaign.

The Bark and Wine event will begin at 5:30 p.m. A suggested donation of $10 will be accepted at the door with proceeds benefiting the participating agencies. Attendees will meet adoptable pets and enjoy door prizes, music and information about the groups that help Bloomington's animals. Complimentary nonalcoholic beverages and light refreshments also will be served. The event is compliments of Tutto Béne. Additional support is provided by Upland Brewing Company.

For additional information about Bark and Wine and the Adopt Today! adoption campaign, contact the Office of the Mayor at 349-3569 or visit [www.bloomington.in.gov|http://www.bloomington.in.gov].

When: Monday, February 19, 2007, beginning 5:30 p.m.

Where: Tutto Bene, 213 S Rogers St

Why: To celebrate the animal welfare agencies that serve Bloomington and Monroe County.