News Releases
Animal Services offer free flea and tick dips for dogs
ABILENE, TX. – Beginning Wednesday, April 2, City of Abilene Animal Services will offer free flea and tick dips for dogs. Dips are available at the Abilene Animal Shelter each Wednesday between 3 and 4 p.m. through September 12. This service is for dogs over 6 months of age.
“This is the perfect time for dog owners to take action against tick-borne diseases at no cost to them,” said Animal Services Manager Aaron Vannoy. “Most tick-borne diseases can be fatal unless diagnosed in time and treated aggressively.”
The flea and tick dips are designed to kill any ticks and fleas on the pet at the time of the dip. Pet owners need to treat pet beds, blankets, yards and dog houses to prevent pest problems as well as contact their local veterinarian for long term flea and tick prevention.
Animal Services attendants will be available to assist with the dips. Dog owners are asked to come through the facility’s east gate and contact an employee for assistance.
City of Abilene Animal Services is located at 925 South 25 St. For more information about Animal Services, call 325-698-0085 or visit www.abilenetx.com/animal.
March 27, 2012
Zoo open once again; water utilities restored
ABILENE, Texas – Water utilities have been restored at the Abilene Zoo. The zoo closed temporarily when a water main leak in the area caused a significant decrease in water pressure. Water pressure and fire hydrants have since been tested to ensure that the facilities at the zoo are now ready to be open to the public.
The Abilene Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and the front gate closes at 4:30 p.m.
March 27, 2012
Water main break causes Abilene Zoo to close for the present
ABILENE, Texas – A water main break near the Abilene Zoo has caused the zoo to temporarily close until water supplies can be restored to the facility. In the meantime, zoo animals will not be without water. Pools and water bowls inside the animal’s exhibits will provide plenty of water for the animals until repairs can be made.
The zoo will remain closed until water utilities are restored to the facility. Repairs to the water main are being made as quickly as possible. The zoo is expected to resume its regular hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., tomorrow. Further notifications and updates will be sent as repairs are made.
March 27, 2012
Spring Clean and Tire Amnesty Days coming April 12- 14
ABILENE, Texas – Clear out unwanted items from your property and recycle them during the upcoming Spring Clean and Tire Amnesty Days. During this annual event, citizens have a chance to spruce up their homes and properties while conveniently dropping off their cast-off items at the City of Abilene’s Environmental Recycling Center (ERC) located at 2209 Oak St.
The event will take place Thursday, April 12 through Saturday, April 14. Hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Due to safety concerns, Oak Street will turn into a one way street with vehicles entering from South 25th Street, on Saturday, April 14.
Typically, the ERC is a drop-off point for citizens to bring almost any type of recyclable materials including plastics, glass and cardboard to bulkier items such as outdated electronics, furniture and old appliances. However, certain items such as large-scale remodeling project materials will not be accepted. While most items may be dropped off free of charge, citizens will be asked to off-load their own items.
At this year’s Spring Clean, citizens may bring up to eight passenger tires without rims, free of charge with proof of residency (current water bill). However, truck tires without rims are $6 per tire and with rims $8 per tire. Ag tires will be accepted without rims only for a $35 per tire service fee. No commercial or business tires will be accepted.
For more information on recycling or the Spring Clean event, call 325-672-2209.
March 26, 2012
Airport to conduct full-scale emergency exercise
ABILENE, Texas – On Wednesday, March 28 at 10:30 a.m., the Abilene Regional Airport will conduct a full-scale exercise of its Emergency Plan. The exercise includes a scenario of an airline aircraft crash on the airport. The scenario will be played out by the airport’s and community’s first-responders and hospitals. The Federal Aviation Administration requires that air carrier airports conduct this type of exercise every three years with annual table-top planning exercises the other years. The airport will remain open during this exercise.
Members of the media who are interested in observing this event must park in the terminal parking lot and come to the Airport Administration Office on the second level of the terminal at 9:45 a.m. to be escorted out to the simulated crash site. No one will be escorted out after this time.
March 24, 2012
Proposed Animal Ordinance decision postponed
ABILENE, Texas – At the Thursday, March 22 meeting of the Abilene City Council, the item concerning amendments to the City’s Animal Ordinance was removed from the agenda. The decision was made to postpone the first reading of the proposed ordinance so that further information could be compiled and additional community input could be solicited. In order for a complete review of the ordinance to take place, the item will be addressed at a later date by the City Council. Although no date has been set for the Council to consider this ordinance, ample public notice will be given to inform citizens when the Animal Ordinance will once again be placed on the City Council’s agenda.
March 20, 2012
Steam-N-Wheels Bike Race and Fun Ride
ABILENE, TX. - The City of Abilene's Recreation Division and the Abilene Bicycling Club will sponsor the 20th Annual Steam-N-Wheels Bike Race and Fun Ride, Saturday, March 24. The race will begin at 10 a.m.
Entry fee is $30 per participant the morning of the race. Walk-in entries are being accepted until Friday, March 23, $25 per participant from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community Services Office located at 633 Walnut St. Entries will also be accepted the day of the event from 7:30-9:45 a.m. at the Abilene Zoo Adventure Center entrance in Nelson Park. The first 200 entries receive a free T‑shirt. Helmets will be required for all participants.
The event will begin and end at Nelson Park. Three distances will be available to choose from: a 48 mile race/tour course along with 32 & 12 mile fun ride courses. The event is open to all ages, and participants may race for awards or ride for fun. Awards will be presented to first, second and third place winners in each age division for the 48 mile race.
Entry forms are available at the City of Abilene’s Community Services Office and Recreation Centers or online at www.abilenetx.com.
For more information call the Recreation Division at 325-676-6217 or 325-734-5301.
March 2, 2012
March Madness adoption special at Abilene Animal Shelter
ABILENE, TX – The City of Abilene and Rescue the Animals, SPCA are offering discounted pet adoption prices during the March Madness adoption special. These special prices will be available the entire month of March. Adoption prices have been reduced by $20 while Rescue the Animals, SPCA is offering a $20 mail-in rebate for your newly adopted pet.
With reduced adoption price and the mail-in rebate, unsterilized dogs cost $40 and unsterilized cats cost $30. Sterilized cats and dogs are $15. Regular prices are $80 for unsterilized dogs and $70 for unsterilized cats.
“With spring approaching, many puppies and kittens are delivered to the Abilene Animal Shelter making it is a popular time for pet adoption,” said Animal Services Manager Aaron Vannoy. “Through our partnership, the Abilene Animal Shelter and Rescue the Animals are giving more people opportunities to adopt animals in March through the discounted prices. I hope we are successful in helping these homeless animals.”
Prospective pet owners are invited to visit the Abilene Animal Shelter, located at 925 S. 25 St., to see which animals are available for adoption. Shelter hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Discounted adoption prices are only good through March 31.
For more information about animal adoptions, contact the Abilene Animal Shelter at 325-698-0085 or go online to www.abilenetx.com/animal.