To give an easy, life-saving gift has been made even easier this week. 

​The Big Red Bus will be parked in two convenient Mount Dora locations this week.  Anyone able to donate blood is encouraged to visit either of the following locations:
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 Wednesday, January 31
The bus will roll into the Walmart parking lot at 17030 US Highway 441. 
The blood drive will be from Noon to 6pm.
Thursday, February 1
The bus will be at Mount Dora City Hall (510 N. Baker Street)
The blood rive will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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The county's animals shelter is inviting residents to get down and boogie with cool cats and groovy dogs during its ‘Stayin’ Alive’ disco extravaganza at the shelter. 

On January 20 guests are encouraged to wear their favorite ‘70s-era outfits to enjoy free refreshments, a photo booth and no-cost adoptions, courtesy of LEASH, Inc.   The party will celebrate the shelter's official no-kill status. To reach this distinction, the shelter was required to have a live-release rate of at least 90 percent for one year. Live release includes returning stray pets to their owners, adoptions and rescues.

The Stayin' Alive' party begins at 11 a.m. and continues to 5 p.m. 

“The shelter was able to create positive outcomes for more than 5,436 pets this year, up from 4,268 last year - while taking in the same number of animals,” said Whitney Boylston, Shelter Director. “We could not have achieved this major accomplishment without the support of the Board of County Commissioners, and the dedication of our shelter staff, volunteers, rescue partners and of course, our wonderful adopters.”

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Board of County Commissioners entered into an agreement for the county to re-assume operations and responsibilities of the Animal Shelter on Jan. 15, 2017.

The Sheriff’s Office continues to maintain responsibility for Animal Services enforcement.  Since that time, the shelter hired a No Kill Learning consultant and underwent the 11 steps of the “No Kill Equation” including trap neuter return, comprehensive adoptions, low cost spay/neuter, rescue partnerships, foster care, pet retention, rehabilitation, engaging the public, volunteer recruitment, proactive redemption and effective leadership.

 Lake County Animal Shelter is located at 28123 County Road 561 in Tavares.  The shelter's regular hours are  10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shelter is closed every Wednesday and on holidays.

​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis,  download the area's free mobile app. ​ Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.