Open House Successful for Animals and City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2010
Contact: Peggy Bender, Community Relations & Education Specialist, 260-427-5508
Photos by Liesl Marelli, Public Information Officer

Open House Successful for Animals and City

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – An estimated 500 pet-loving people joined Mayor Tom Henry in celebrating at the Animal Care & Control’s annual Christmas Open House for the Animals held yesterday at the shelter on 3020 Hillegas Road.

Gifts were plentiful, as donations of canned food, toys, bedding and treats were placed under the Christmas tree to help shelter staff prepare for a long winter of caring for community animals.  Donations are accepted year-round and can be brought to the shelter during business hours. Monetary donations are also accepted and can be earmarked for medical needs or pet adoptions and mailed to 3020 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46809.

“Charitable donations from Fort Wayne citizens greatly benefit the animals cared for at Animal Care and Control,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “The open house was a huge success for the shelter and hopefully we can help place adoptable pets in a loving home this holiday season.”

The shelter encourages citizens to report animal neglect including pets left outside without proper provisions. As a reminder, there will be no business hours at the shelter on December 23, 24 and 31, but officers will be on duty. For additional information, call 427-1244 or visit www.cityoffortwayne.org.

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Peggy Bender, a Community Relations and Education Specialist with Animal Care and Control, shows Mayor Tom Henry one of the many adoptable pets at the shelter's open night event. (Photo by Liesl Marelli, Public Information Officer)

Doug Hartle, Peggy Bender, Mayor Tom Henry, Belinda Lewis and numerous volunteers, local residents and supporters of Animal Care and Control proudly display the many charitable donations delivered to the shelter during the open house event. (Photo by Liesl Marelli, Public Information Officer)

Doug Hartle, Peggy Bender, Mayor Tom Henry, Belinda Lewis and numerous volunteers, local residents and supporters of Animal Care and Control proudly display the many charitable donations delivered to the shelter during the open house event. (Photo by Liesl Marelli, Public Information Officer)

Director of Animal Care and Control Belinda Lewis and Mayor Tom Henry stop for a photo at Animal Care and Control's open house event. (Photo by Liesl Marelli, Public Information Officer)