For immediate release: May 17, 2007

BLOOMSBURG — Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is the first designated place in Columbia County to serve as a relief shelter for local companion animals during disasters.

BU teamed with C.A.R.T. (Columbia-Montour Animal Response Team) to create “Annie’s Place,” named by BU staff after President Jessica Kozloff’s Shih Tzu. The shelter will be located on BU’s Upper Campus and will be able to house 30 to 40 pets, including dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits and pocket pets such as gerbils and guinea pigs.

Annie’s Place was established following the flood in June 2006. C.A.R.T. approached BU looking for a site that was easily accessible and on high ground. BU, one of the first universities to be a designated an emergency animal shelter, is now the largest emergency shelter site in Columbia County.

For volunteer opportunities or to become a member of C.A.R.T., contact Larry Smith, C.A.R.T.’s coordinator, at (570) 683-5493.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Professional Studies, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.