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Animal shelter reports record adoptions, high intake and 94% live‑release rate; asks public for volunteers and supplies
Summary
Officials from Bloomington Animal Care and Control reported a 94% live‑release rate amid record intake and rising costs. The shelter is near capacity and needs volunteer hours, foster homes and donated supplies. Council and residents praised staff and volunteers.
Adam Wason, director of Public Works, and Virgil Sowder, director of Animal Care and Control, told the Common Council on Aug. 25 that the shelter is operating at or near capacity while maintaining a 94% live‑release rate.
Wason and Sowder said the shelter logged 2,408 adoptions in 2024, the highest five‑year total, and had recorded about 1,314 adoptions through July 2025. They said intake of canines is rising — possibly driven by economic pressures and higher veterinary costs — and the shelter has used temporary part‑time staff and a growing volunteer and foster network to cope.
Sowder described the shelter’s operational mix: roughly 29% of calls are wildlife responses, 24% are stray calls, 17% are care/neglect reports and about 9% are bite cases. He said roughly 10–11% of total call volume involves deceased deer on roadways and that about 6% of animals taken into care require euthanasia because of severe injury, dangerous behavior or untreatable medical conditions.
Wason and Sowder emphasized volunteer and material needs: bedding, towels, wet cat food, and help with kennel cleaning, dog walking and foster care. They encouraged residents to consult the department’s web pages for volunteer sign‑ups and wish lists. Council members and residents praised staff and volunteers for maintaining high outcomes amid pressure.
No formal action was taken during the presentation.
