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Last updated on Wednesday, May 30, 2018
(BLOOMINGTON) - Bloomington Animal Care and Control will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, June 5 at 2 p.m. to invite the community into the newly renovated and expanded Bloomington Animal Shelter.
Improvements made in the $2.1 million construction project include increased ventilation and larger spaces for animals at the shelter, a workspace that allows staff to work more efficiently and have more interaction with the animals in their care, and a larger education space for the increased number of outreach programs being offered to the public by the BACC and the Monroe County Humane Association. The project was financed through 2015 consolidated TIF funds, which are designated for infrastructure improvements.
A shelter dog will officially inaugurate the updated facility by pulling down the ribbon draped in front of the entrance. Although admittedly less entertaining, several humans will also take the opportunity to celebrate the momentous occasion. Animal Shelter Director Virgil Sauder, City Animal Control Commission member and longtime shelter advocate Valerie Pena, and Mayor John Hamilton will make brief remarks. After the official ceremony, staff will offer tours of the shelter's new addition and renovated spaces
"The improved ventilation and housing for the animals in our care should decrease the opportunities for them to contract illnesses from one another," said Sauder. "As a result of these improvements and the workspace addition, staff will be able to spend more time interacting with and caring for the animals than cleaning and medicating them."
Animals at the shelter will be available for adoption on re-opening day, and as its renovation coincides with the City of Bloomington's Bicentennial year, the shelter will offer a commemorative adoption special. Cats or dogs may be adopted for the special price of $20 on June 5, instead of the normal adoption fees of $75 for animals under five years of age and $55 for five and over.
Each year, between 3700 and 4000 animals pass through the doors of the Bloomington Animal Shelter. In 2017, 87% of the animals entering the shelter were returned to their owners, transferred to another rescue group, or adopted into new homes. The shelter is distinguished by its very low euthanasia rate: only four percent of all animals entering the shelter have been euthanized thus far in 2018, and only eight percent in all of 2017. Most of these cases were necessitated by severe health issues or unsafe behaviors.
"In Bloomington we cherish our animal companions," said Mayor Hamilton. "It's only fitting that this facility, which has done so much to promote animal welfare, should be better equipped to care for animals until they find their forever homes."
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