Bloomington, Indiana – The City of Bloomington Animal Shelter is calling on the community to rally behind its most vulnerable residents—abandoned, sick, and injured animals in desperate need of care. From September 1 through September 21, the shelter will hold a special fundraising campaign designed to stretch donations further than ever before.
The initiative, fittingly named “Double the Love,” is structured as a matching fundraiser. Every dollar donated will be matched up to $20,000, effectively doubling the value of each gift. Funds raised will go directly into the shelter’s medical fund, which covers everything from emergency surgeries to life-saving treatments for animals that otherwise may not have a chance.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our community to make a direct impact on an animal’s life,” said Virgil Sauder, Director of the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. “With the shelter currently over capacity and the need exceeding our budget, this fundraiser comes at a critical time. The medical fund is a lifeline for animals in need—and through this matching campaign, our neighbors can make twice the difference.”
The fundraiser comes as the shelter faces mounting challenges. Like many facilities across the country, Bloomington’s shelter is stretched thin, with more animals arriving daily than can be comfortably housed. Rising veterinary costs add to the strain, making the medical fund all the more vital. Without it, staff say, too many animals would be left without the care they urgently require.
Residents have several ways to contribute. Donations can be made online at the shelter’s official website, bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter, or dropped off in person at 3410 South Walnut Street. Those who prefer to give by mail can send a check directly to the shelter, addressed to “Fundraiser Donation.” In addition, the campaign will feature an outreach event at Food Truck Friday on September 12 at Switchyard Park, where supporters can learn more while enjoying local food and entertainment.
The matching campaign provides donors with a rare opportunity to see their generosity multiplied. A $25 contribution becomes $50, and $100 turns into $200, giving each supporter the ability to help twice as many animals. Shelter staff stress that no donation is too small, as each gift pushes the campaign closer to its $20,000 goal and ensures animals get the care they deserve.
For Bloomington residents, the fundraiser is about more than numbers—it is about hope. Every surgery funded and every treatment provided tells the story of a second chance, made possible by a community that refuses to turn its back on animals in need.
As the campaign gets underway, the shelter is urging the public to step forward and show compassion in action. With donations matched dollar for dollar, supporters truly do have the chance to double the love.
