Animal Wonders in Bloomington, Indiana
These days, many Americans say “Adopt, don’t shop” for a great pet. They go to various pet rescues, SPCA installations, and county animal facilities. Each is different and has different standards of care. One of the many animal rescue and adoption organizations is Bloomington Animal Care and Control in Indiana, southwest of Indianapolis.
With hundreds of positive reviews, its standards are top-notch! This may be a city/county organization, but it is high quality and has a connection to special needs cats like the celebrity feline, Lil Bub.
Who Is Bub?
Bub was adopted from a friend by Michael Brivadsky of Bloomington during an uncertain period of life, and he felt early on that this tiny, special needs kitten would save his life in many ways. She had a unique meow and an otherworldly personality that everyone loved. In fact, she was called a “space cat.”
With the help of the veterinary college at Purdue University, Bub lived to the age of eight-and-a-half, although her first vets had thought she would only live a year or so.
Lilian Bubbles (Bub) had several mutations and a bone disease (osteopetrosis) that thickened her bones too much and left her nearly immobile and vulnerable to infection. She also had dwarfism that made her a “perma-kitten.” Even so, she was extremely cute and became an Internet star, even having her own online TV show – Lil Bub’s Big Show – where she interviewed stars like Michelle Obama and Whoopi Goldberg. She also helped to author books and starred in films. Today, a radio show is broadcast in her honor: Lil BUB’s Lil Radio Show.
After her passing, the Bloomington animal rescue refurbished and dedicated a large, open cat room to the celebrity kitten. There, interested adopters can get to know the cats housed at the rescue as they play and interact with other cats and humans. A mural of Bub in a spacecraft looks down on the proceedings.
Help With Special Needs Pets
Bloomington Animal Care and Control recognizes Lil Bub’s Big Fund, the first national such charity, run by Stacy Bridavsky to help special needs pets and some pets whose humans would need to have them euthanized if there were no financial aid for veterinary treatment. The fund has helped many pets become adopted or return to their own families, healthy and happy, across the USA.
In 2015, Bub had her genome (DNA) successfully sequenced to find the cause of her bone condition. Amazingly, the same genetic link was found in a mouse, another cat, and even 15 humans to date. This groundbreaking work gives us hope in finding a cure for the condition. Thus, Bloomington is famous for Bub, good pet care, and advancing healthcare for pets and humans.
A Great Animal Organization
Bloomington ACC takes in stray animals, helps lost pets get home, accepts pets whose owners can no longer care for them, and cares for emergency cases – especially those of special needs animals. The organization even offers help with animal behavior issues. It provides many more services than people expect from the usual “dog pound” in the Midwest. A gallery of pet photos of those ready for adoption is included on their website.
Bloomington Animal Care and Control Adoptable Animals
3410 S Walnut Street Bloomington IN 47401; Phone: 812-349-3492
Terrific article. Lil Bub had a giant impact not only on his community pets but animals with special needs across the country. well done space cat!
Thanks so much for your reply, Olga. I feel the same about Lil Bub. Good job Bub! 👍😉