City of Bloomington Animal Shelter Partners with Monroe Bank to Promote Senior Adoptions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 24, 2010

For more information: Laurie Ringquist, Director, Animal Care & Control Department, City of Bloomington, 349-3870 Jared Schlemmer, Assistant Deputy Mayor, City of Bloomington, 349-3406, [mailto:schlemmj@bloomington.in.gov] Erin Gerth, Assistant Vice President for Marketing, Monroe Bank, 331-3434

Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington Animal Shelter has announced a new partnership with Monroe Bank aimed at matching senior pets with seniors in the community. The new collaboration is called "Partnering Animals With Seniors" (PAWS) and promotes half price fees to adopt a pet at least five years old.

Monroe Bank will begin promoting the Shelter's senior pets to its bank customers, especially those that participate in its Prime Time program. Special flyers featuring senior pets will be posted in all Monroe Bank banking centers, and the Shelter will bring senior pets to special events sponsored by Monroe Bank for their Prime Time members.

"Our partnership with the Bloomington Animal Shelter will help support its efforts in finding loving homes for all of the adoptable, senior animals," Mark Bradford, President and CEO of Monroe Bank, said. "This community-focused initiative demonstrates Monroe Bank's commitment to forming valuable partnerships and strengthening the communities we serve."

Half price adoption fees of $27.50 for senior animals include a first round of vaccinations, a free visit to a local veterinary office, heartworm testing for dogs, feline leukemia/FIV testing for cats, microchip identification and spay/neuter surgery, a value of more than $200.

"The Shelter recognizes that pets provide particular benefits to senior individuals so we are grateful to Monroe Bank for giving our senior animals such a great opportunity to find new homes," said Laurie Ringquist, Director of the City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control division. "This is a win-win for everyone involved."

The Shelter is located at 3410 S. Walnut and 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 can be viewed on the City's web site at [www.bloomington.in.gov/animalshelter|www.bloomington.in.gov/animalshelter]. They can also be seen at the Farmers' Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon.

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