Four-legged best friends found at Adopt-a-Thon

The Bloomington Animal Care and Shelter hosted an Adopt-a-Thon on Saturday in an effort to reduce the near-capacity numbers they are experiencing this summer.

The event ran from noon to midnight with hopes of facilitating 50 adoptions in one day.  
Staff members and volunteers were kept busy handing out adoption applications to the many families and couples that attended the event to meet the shelter animals.

A hotdog stand, mobile grooming unit and balloon artist were all on hand as well, along with a flea market to raise funds for the shelter. There were also raffles throughout the event giving away gifts from Wonderlab Museum of Health, Science and Technology, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari and Bryan Park Pool.

The Adopt-a-Thon is part of the shelter’s “Summer of Love” event, which is ongoing through the month of July. The retro-themed Summer of Love — complete with lava lamps — includes reduced adoption fees.

The adoption rates are usually $75 per animal, but dogs are currently half-price, and all kittens are two-for-one.  

The event was the first of its kind put on by the shelter, and the 31 adoptions helped establish a good foundation for future events, said Dr. Jo Liska, the shelter’s behavior consultant.

“It was a success for a first try,” she said.

Liska also said that along with the special pricing, the summer is an ideal time for pet adoption.

“A lot of people have more free time, so it is a good time to get a new best friend,” Liska said.

— Alycin Bektesh