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6/2/2004


Media Contact:

Margie Smith-Simmons, [317] 327-1396
mssimmon@indygov.org

Paula Puntenney, [317] 431-4046
ppuntenn@iupui.edu 

Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound


INDIANAPOLIS – Through a creative collaboration, Indianapolis Animal Care & Control (IACC) and The National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) will again team up to offer both the four-legged and two-legged members of our community an innovative fitness program, “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound.”

The “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound” program was developed to address two major community concerns:

The growing rate of obesity in Indianapolis: Indianapolis has consistently ranked as one of the top heaviest cities in the country. According to Men’s Fitness Magazine (www.mensfitness.com), Indianapolis ranks 17th (an improvement over last year’s 12th place finish) and at least 24% of the population is obese. In addition, 61% of Marion County residents are physically inactive or active only on an irregular basis.

The severe pet overpopulation problem in Indianapolis: In 2003, IACC received 18, 209 lost, homeless, abused, unwanted and surrendered animals. As of April 2004, IACC has already received 6,046 animals.

Adoptable dogs will be brought from the shelter to NIFS for the “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound” program and they will be “loaned” to the public for a walking session throughout the White River State Park grounds. “We are excited to have this opportunity to partner with such a well-known fitness facility for a worthwhile cause through which both the people and pets in our community can benefit,” said IACC administrator Jeff Bennett. “This simple, but inspiring program allows people to get physically fit with a fun-loving companion, a shelter dog.“

The “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound” program will take place:

WHEN: Every Saturday in the month of June, beginning June 5th
9am-12pm

WHERE: The National Institute for Fitness and Sport
250 University Blvd.
IUPUI Campus

The goals of the program are to provide an alternative and creative means to physical fitness to a currently unfit population; to publicize the plight of homeless animals in Indianapolis and Marion County and to encourage responsible pet ownership and the adoption of these animals into permanent homes; and to promote the positive physical and mental benefits of pet ownership.