City Celebrates Be Kind to Animals Week, May 4-10

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2015

For more information, please contact:

Laurie Ringquist, Director, City of Bloomington Director of Animal Care & Control, 812.349.3492

Alexa Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington Office of the Mayor , 812.349.3406

City Celebrates Be Kind to Animals Week

Bloomington, Ind. - Mayor Mark Kruzan announced that the City of Bloomington will recognize Be Kind to Animals Week, May 4-10, in conjunction with the American Humane Association's annual national celebration. The American Humane Association has celebrated Be Kind to Animals Week since 1915 and this year is the 100th year of Be Kind to Animals Week.

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 the Week, the Bloomington Animal Shelter will reduce adoption fees for all dogs and cats younger than 5 years to $40 and adoption fees for all dogs and cats 5 years and older to $20. All rabbit adoption fees also will be reduced to $20. The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, vaccines and microchipping, plus heartworm testing for dogs and feline leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) testing in cats.

The Shelter also will have "Be Kind" craft projects available for kids to make at the Shelter. Children who visit will be invited to make a toy or treat and give it to a Shelter animal of their choosing.

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 all pets;

• Keep pets current on vaccinations and make sure pets are wearing identification tags and are microchipped;

• Call the City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control division at 812.349.3492 in the case of animal cruelty or abuse;

• Create a backyard space for wildlife by providing water and food sources and refraining from chemical use on plants, among other things;

• "Like" the City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control page on Facebook to stay up-to-date on animal welfare happenings, share important posts and find out when community support is needed for humane laws and legislation.

The Shelter is located at 3410 S. Walnut St. and open to the public during the following hours:

Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesdays and Fridays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Regular adoption fees are $75 for dogs and cats under 5 years of age and $55 for those five years and older. Adoptable animals can also be viewed [on the Shelter's website|/animalshelter] and [on the Shelter's Facebook page|www.facebook.com/COBAnimalShelter]. For more information, please contact the Shelter at 812.349.3492.

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