Holiday Pet Supply Drive to Benefit City of Bloomington Animal Shelter

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2011

For more information:
Laurie Ringquist, Director, Animal Care & Control Department, City of Bloomington, 349-3870
Jared Schlemmer, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569, [mailto:schlemmj@bloomington.in.gov]


Holiday Pet Supply Drive to Benefit City of Bloomington Animal Shelter

Bloomington, IN -- The City of Bloomington Animal Shelter announces the launch of its annual pet supply drive, which takes place now through New Years' Day.

The Shelter is requesting donations of canned dog and cat food, treats, toys, bedding, and supplies such as bleach and paper towels. These items are very important to reducing stress levels and making the animals' stay at the shelter more comfortable while they await their forever homes.

"Every holiday season the community comes together and is so generous in its support for the animals in need," said Laurie Ringquist, Director of Animal Care & Control. "The items that are donated go above and beyond what we can provide in our budget and really help us help the animals. We are so grateful for the community's support."

Donations of bedding are especially important as we head into the colder months. The shelter can use any kind of bedding including blankets, comforters, rugs, towels, sheets and pillowcases.

The shelter is part of the Science Diet feeding program and receives all the dry food necessary to feed shelter animals through this program. However, the Shelter remains happy to accept donations of dry pet food, which is used to stock a pet food pantry to help members of our community who find themselves in need of assistance in caring for their pets. Being able to provide this type of assistance sometimes means that animals can stay in their homes rather than being relinquished to the shelter.

Community members can help the animals in need by donating any of the following items:

• Cat and dog toys and treats
• Canned dog and cat food
• Dry dog and cat foo
• Non-clumping cat litter
• Bedding
• Bleach and paper towels

Donation boxes, decorated by students at St. Charles and Binford schools and by members of the Monroe County Humane Association's middle school Animal Advocates Club, will be available in the following locations:

• Kroger and Marsh stores
• The Dog House
• Walmart
• Millenium Property
• T & T Pet Food Supply
• O'Malias
• City Hall
• City of Bloomington Animal Shelter
• The Visitor's Center
• Sassafras Hill Apartments
• White River Co-op
• Bloomingfoods East
• K-Mart East
• Woodbridge Apartments

Donations can also be brought directly to the Shelter during business hours, Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays from noon to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call the Shelter at 349-3492.

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