City Celebrates Be Kind to Animals Week in 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2012

For additional information, please contact:
Laurie Ringquist, Director of Animal Care & Control, City of Bloomington, 349.3492

City Celebrates Be Kind to Animals Week

Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan announced that the City of Bloomington will recognize Be Kind to Animals Week, May 5 - 13, 2012, in conjunction with American Humane Association's annual national celebration. The American Humane Association has celebrated Be Kind Week since 1915.

"Celebrating Be Kind to Animals Week reminds us of how important animals are in our lives and gives us an opportunity to raise awareness about the humane treatment of all animals," said Laurie Ringquist, Director of Animal Care and Control for the City of Bloomington.

One of the most meaningful ways to "be kind" to animals is to adopt a shelter animal that is in need of a loving home. To encourage adoptions during this week, adoption fees for all adult cats, 1 year and older, will be reduced to $20. All other adoption fees will be reduced to $40. (Regular adoption fees are $75 for dogs and cats under 5 years of age and $55 for those five years and older.) The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, vaccines and microchipping plus heartworm testing for dogs and testing for feline leukemia and FIV in cats.

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 located at 3410 S. Walnut and is open to the public Mon/Wed/Thu/Sat from noon to 5 p.m., Tue/Fri from noon to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Adoptable animals can also be viewed on the City's web site at [www.bloomington.in.gov/animalshelter].

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