City of Bloomington Animal Shelter Kicks Off "Barktoberfest"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 26, 2012
For more information, please contact:

Laurie Ringquist, Director, City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, 349-3870, ringquil@bloomington.in.gov
Adam Wason, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-2489, wasona@bloomington.in.gov

City of Bloomington Animal Shelter Kicks Off "Barktoberfest"

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - In recognition of national Adopt-A-Dog Month and to support the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter's ongoing participation in the ASPCA $100,000 Challenge, the Shelter is pleased to announce several new promotions, events and sponsorships to celebrate all things dog during "Barktoberfest."

"As we head into the final month of the ASPCA $100,000 Challenge, we are excited to announce these new partnerships and sponsorships," Laurie Ringquist, director of the City's Animal Care and Control division, said. "The Bloomington community has supported us by adopting, and the business community has been so generous in sponsoring events and making donations. We have been so humbled by this outpouring of support for the animals and look forward to continuing these relationships after the Challenge is over."

Dog adoption fees are reduced to $40 for the entire month of October. In addition, every Saturday, dog adoption fees will be further reduced to $20. All dogs are vaccinated, micro-chipped, heartworm tested and spayed or neutered. Regular adoption fees are $75 for dogs younger than 5 years and $55 for those 5 years and older.

The Animal Shelter will kickoff Adopt-A-Dog month a day early with a "Pups in the Park" adopt-a-thon from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Bryan Park Woodlawn Shelter. The Animal Shelter will have a large selection of dogs and puppies available for adoption at the park.

Upland Brewery will host "Hops for Hounds" from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6. The band "Kisses for Free" will play from 5 to 7 p.m. and Upland's Oktoberfest special will be on tap. Upland has donated the following items to be raffled, with the proceeds benefiting adoption sponsorships: a 1/6 barrel keg of any of year-round beer, two Upland t-shirts and a $25 gift certificate. Adoptable dogs and puppies will be available at the event.

Local Bloomington business Sleeping Dogs Studio is generously supporting adopt-a-dog month in a number of ways. The first adoption of each "Muttly Monday" will be free, sponsored by Sleeping Dogs Studio. Also, each person who adopts a dog on Muttly Mondays will receive a unique set of four adoption announcement note cards designed and created by the Studio and featuring the newly adopted dog. Finally, Sleeping Dogs Studio is donating 40 percent of the sales from its online store, www.sleepingdogsstudio.bigcartel.com, to the Animal Shelter for the month of October and has added items that should be of special interest to animal lovers.

Canine Companions is donating a six-week-long dog obedience class to the first 30 people who adopt a dog in October. This will be a special class held just for shelter alumni and will be a great tool to help a new dog fit into its home successfully.

Adoptable animals can be visited at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, 3410 S. Walnut St., on Mondays, Wednesdays, 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. Adoptable animals also can be seen on the Animal Shelter's website at www.bloomington.in.gov/animalshelter and on the Animal Shelter's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/COBAnimalShelter.

For more information contact the Animal Shelter at 349.3492.

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