New City Program Helps Families and Shelter Animals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2008

For More Information:
Scott Smith, Fire Prevention Officer, Fire Department, City of Bloomington, 349.3888 smiths@bloomington.in.gov
Laurie Ringquist, Director, Animal Care & Control Division, City of Bloomington, 349.3870

Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today a collaboration between the City of Bloomington's Fire Department and Animal Care and Control Division to waive the adoption fee for families who have lost a pet in a fire.

"A house fire is a traumatic event for any family," Kruzan said. "Pain and loss are compounded when a beloved pet is lost in the fire. This collaboration is a wonderful way for families to begin recovering from the terrible losses created by fires. Saving a pet in need and helping heal families is a win-win prospect."

When a family loses a pet in a fire, the Fire Department will issue a voucher to waive the adoption fee of a pet at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. The voucher can be redeemed for up to one year after the fire, and will be retroactive to include all of 2007. The opportunity is also being made available to other communities in Monroe County, making it possible for every fire department in the County to have access to the program.

Scott Smith, Fire Prevention Officer for the City of Bloomington Fire Department, said the program will help alleviate some of the pain families face when losing a pet.

"I am so glad to see our local fire departments and animal shelter working together to provide this service," Smith said. "It will allow us not only to make a terrible loss a little easier for the involved family, but it will allow us to provide a home to an animal who otherwise might not have been adopted."

Forms for the program have been provided to every fire department in Monroe County. These forms can be filled out and returned to the fire department providing service to your property or returned directly to the Animal Shelter. The forms also can be found on the City of Bloomington web site, located at www.bloomington.in.gov. For more details about the program, please contact Smith at the City's Fire Department at 349-3888 or the Animal Care and Control Division at 349-3492.

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