October named Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

October is a special time for shelter dogs in Bloomington. Mayor Mark Kruzan proclaimed October as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.\nThroughout the month, Bloomington Animal Care and Control is encouraging the adoption of shelter dogs into loving homes. The animal shelter is at full capacity, and to encourage adoption, fees have been cut in half to $37.50 for dogs 5 years old or younger and $27.50 for dogs older than 5 years during October. The regular adoption rate is $75. The adopter will receive a free training DVD, a coupon for $25 off a six-week training course, a gift bag of doggie goodies, the first round of vaccinations, a free visit to a local veterinary office, heartworm testing, microchip identification and spay/neuter surgery. \nMany of the dogs at the shelter come from the Monroe County area and are either donated by families who can no longer take care of them or are strays Animal Control has picked up. \n"Dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds end up at shelters because many individuals fail to give careful consideration to the commitment involved in integrating a dog into a human family," Kruzan said in a press release. \nAlong with proclaiming October as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, the mayor's office has been offering its help in finding volunteers for the animal shelter. \n"Volunteers and advertisements have played a big role in helping the animal shelter find homes for the dogs," said Maria Heslin, communications director in the mayor's office and a volunteer with the animal shelter.\nHowever, not every city in America has decided to go as far as proclaiming a month to shelter dogs. \n"We feel this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed here in Bloomington," Heslin said.\nOctober is when dogs are at the forefront, but the other 11 months' attention is also given to dogs, along with many other loveable animals. \n"We are serious about finding excellent, lifelong homes for every single adoptable animal that comes though our shelter," Kruzan said.\nThis year continues an annual tradition in which the city of Bloomington and the Animal Care and Control have collaborated in an effort to find homes for shelter dogs. \n"It's a great idea. It saves the dogs and makes a house feel more like a home," said doctoral student and dog owner Cory Mixdorf.\nLaurie Ringquist, director of Animal Care and Control, said adopting a dog can also be beneficial to the adopter. \n"Nothing adds more warmth to a home or offers a better greeting after a hard day like a wagging tail and a pair of loving brown eyes," Ringquist said. \nThose who are interested in adopting shelter dogs, cats, bunnies, reptiles and small rodents can visit the animal shelter from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. The shelter is located at 3410 S. Walnut St. From 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday in October, shelter dogs will also be at the Farmers' Market. \n"We encourage anyone thinking of adding a dog to the family to visit the animal shelter. We get great dogs," Ringquist said. \nTo those who have never owned a dog, dog owners agree they can provide an outlet of entertainment. \n"Dogs are very entertaining; they provide comic relief and are excellent companions," Mixdorf said. "They are a little bit of work, but the benefits surely outweigh the hassles." \nMany of the dogs at the shelter come from the Monroe County area and are either donated by families who can no longer take care of them or are strays Animal Control has picked up. \n"Dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds end up at shelters because many individuals fail to give careful consideration to the commitment involved in integrating a dog into a human family," Kruzan said in a press release. \nAlong with proclaiming October as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, the mayor's office has been offering its help in finding volunteers for the animal shelter. \n"Volunteers and advertisements have played a big role in helping the animal shelter find homes for the dogs," said Maria Heslin, communications director in the mayor's office and a volunteer with the animal shelter.\nHowever, not every city in America has decided to go as far as proclaiming a month to shelter dogs. \n"We feel this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed here in Bloomington," Heslin said.\nOctober is when dogs are at the forefront, but the other 11 months' attention is also given to dogs, along with many other loveable animals. \n"We are serious about finding excellent, lifelong homes for every single adoptable animal that comes though our shelter," Kruzan said.\nThis year continues an annual tradition in which the city of Bloomington and the Animal Care and Control have collaborated in an effort to find homes for shelter dogs. \n"It's a great idea. It saves the dogs and makes a house feel more like a home," said doctoral student and dog owner Cory Mixdorf.\nLaurie Ringquist, director of Animal Care and Control, said adopting a dog can also be beneficial to the adopter. \n"Nothing adds more warmth to a home or offers a better greeting after a hard day like a wagging tail and a pair of loving brown eyes," Ringquist said. \nThose who are interested in adopting shelter dogs, cats, bunnies, reptiles and small rodents can visit the animal shelter from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. The shelter is located at 3410 S. Walnut St. From 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday in October, shelter dogs will also be at the Farmers' Market. \n"We encourage anyone thinking of adding a dog to the family to visit the animal shelter. We get great dogs," Ringquist said. \nTo those who have never owned a dog, dog owners agree they can provide an outlet of entertainment. \n"Dogs are very entertaining; they provide comic relief and are excellent companions," Mixdorf said. "They are a little bit of work, but the benefits surely outweigh the hassles"