City Celebrates Be Kind to Animals Week 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2009

For additional information:
Laurie Ringquist, Director of Animal Care & Control, City of Bloomington, 349-3492
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov




Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan has announced that the City of Bloomington will recognize Be Kind to Animals Week from Sunday, May 3, through Saturday, May 9, in conjunction with American Humane Association's annual national celebration.

The American Humane Association has celebrated Be Kind Week since 1915. This year's them is "Practice kindness. Spread compassion. Teach goodness."

One of the most meaningful ways to be kind to animals is to adopt a shelter animal from the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, located at 3410 S. Walnut. To encourage adoptions during this week, all adoption fees will be half price from Saturday, May 2 through Sunday, May 10. The reduced adoption rate will be $37.50 for dogs and cats under 5 years old, and $27.50 for those older than 5 years. The fees include spaying/neutering, vaccinations and microchipping, heartworm testing for dogs, and feline leukemia and FIV testing for cats.

In addition, all children visiting the shelter that week will receive a "Be Kind to Animals" gift bag.

The City Animal Shelter will be participating in several other events where the public will have the opportunity to "Be Kind." In conjunction with the DVD release of the movie "Hotel for Dogs," Shelter donation boxes will be set up at all three Blockbuster Video stores for the week beginning Saturday, May 2. The public can help by bringing in toys, treats, food and bedding to be donated to the Animal Shelter. Blockbuster Video will have giveaway drawings during the week, and WBWB B97 Radio will be promoting the drive on-air all week.

On Saturday, May 2, Sterling House will be hosting a canine carnival on behalf of the Monroe County Humane Association and the Alzheimer's Association. The event will be held at Sterling House, 3802 S. Sare Road, from 1-4 p.m., and will include canine contests, awards and the opportunity to meet Pongo, Bloomington's newest K-9 police officer. City Shelter dogs available for adoption will also be on hand.

The following are additional ways in which the public can "Be Kind to Animals:"

• Volunteer at the shelter

• Become a foster parent for shelter animals

• Donate food, toys, bleach or bedding to the shelter

• Spay or neuter your pets

• Keep your pets current on vaccinations

• Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags and are microchipped

• Call the City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control division at 349.3492 if you witness animal cruelty or abuse

• Create a space for wildlife in your own backyard

The shelter is open to the public Mon/Wed/Thurs/Sat from noon - 5 p.m., Tues/Fri from noon - 7 p.m. and Sundays from 1 - 4 p.m. Adoptable animals also can be viewed on the City's web site at www.bloomington.in.gov/animalshelter, or at the Farmers' Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon.

# # #