City of Bloomington Animal Shelter Kicks Off 12 Strays Of Christmas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2008

For more information, please contact:
Laurie Ringquist, Animal Shelter Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3492, ringquil@bloomington.in.gov
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov

[Pumpkin|image:4238,left]Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington and B97 FM have partnered for The 12 Strays Of Christmas, a holiday adoption initiative designed to highlight some of the many adoptable animals available at half-price at the City Animal Shelter. The program is part of the Be Bloomington campaign, which this quarter is encouraging the community to Be Involved.

Beginning on Monday, Dec. 8, and running through Tuesday, Dec. 23, the radio station will feature a different cat and dog each day on its website, [www.wbwb.com|www.wbwb.com.] Additionally, Animal Shelter staff will call in live each day to B97's morning show to discuss the available animals, stress the ongoing need for adoptions and provide the community with information about the Shelter's services.

"This is a busy time of year for us, and we want to make sure that those individuals and families who want to adopt new pets know that we have many loving animals that need a home," said Laurie Ringquist, Animal Shelter Director.

Two dogs that will be featured early during The 12 Strays Of Christmas are Pumpkin, a black lab, and Rudolf, a golden retriever/sharpe mix. Pumpkin, one of the dogs taken to the Shelter following the Sulllivan County puppy mill raid in October, is described as friendly, house-trained and very welcoming of petting. Rudolf, who has special needs due to atrophied hind legs, is playful and loving, and Ringquist says he doesn't seem to be bothered at all by his disability.[Rudolf|image:4239,right]

"These two dogs, just like the many others that we have at the Shelter, are ready to provide loving companionship to someone," said Ringquist. "So much emphasis is put on helping others during the Holiday season, and I hope that people also remember these wonderful animals."

For more information on The 12 Strays Of Christmas or the City Animal Shelter, please contact Ringquist at 349-3492 or ringquil@bloomington.in.gov.

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