How many dogs — canines — call Bloomington home?
How many of those critters have no place like a house or an apartment to bed down?
Who takes care of them in the meantime?
For some answers and a closer look at the daily life of our canine crowd, we dropped in at Bloomington Animal Care & Control, 3410 S. Walnut St., and spoke with Virgil Sauder, the director of the agency that operates the Bloomington Animal Shelter.
How many dogs are living in Bloomington?
So, how many dogs live in Bloomington?
“There’s no accurate census,” Sauder said, “but a rough guess is 10 to 20 thousand.”
One reason a dog census is difficult: although the city does require vaccination of dogs against rabies, it doesn’t require dogs to be licensed and wear ID.
But the city also thinks ID is a good idea and offers advice: “Consider registering your pet’s microchip number and rabies tag with Bloomington Animal Care & Control.”
Microchip … why?
Hmm … what’s a microchip number?
Sauder explained that when a pooch arrives at Animal Care & Control without ID, the routine is to implant a microchip just below the animal’s skin. The microchip is “about the size of a piece of rice,” he said. It bears a unique ID number that’s registered at the control center so that the dog can be identified without collar and tag.
At any one time, 100 to 300 dogs and cats may be temporary residents at the animal shelter, Sauder said. About half come from Bloomington residents who can no longer provide a home for the pet, and the others have been taken from hoarders or otherwise been rescued from abuse, Sauder said.
Fostering pets?
Critters at the city shelter become candidates for adoption. But before permanent adoption they may spend some time in foster homes.
Foster families are a crucial part of operations, Sauder said. An introduction to the program tells why:
“Foster families open their homes and hearts to animals housed at the shelter. In 2024, 56% of the animals who entered the shelter spent time in foster homes. This has made a huge difference in improving the physical and emotional wellbeing of our animals. The Foster Program also greatly helps us keep euthanasia to an absolute minimum.”
Information about the Foster Program is available from Robyn Peffinger, the program coordinator, at 812-349-3871.
Best care options for your pooch
So, your Bloomington pooch is a happy member of the family. How do you keep pooch and family happy long-term? Daily walks in the neighborhood, of course. But also consider visiting other popular spots, like Griffy Lake and Karst Farm.
And, of course, Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St. Bark Park Finder, a company you can find online, says Switchyard “stands out as one of the most popular dog parks in Bloomington, Indiana, thanks to its expansive green spaces and thoughtfully designed amenities for both dogs and their owners.”
Norm Crampton is a Bloomington resident who enjoys dogs.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: The life of a dog in Bloomington. Learn more about it, how to help
Reporting by Norm Crampton, Special to The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Norm Crampton, Special to The Herald-Times | USA TODAY Network
