Pet adoption campaign aims to get pets ‘Home 4 The Holidays’
Lee County Domestic Animal Services will join more than 3,500 pet shelters and adoption centers across the U.S, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico during Home 4 the Holidays 2011, a national event organized to raise awareness of the joys of owning shelter-adopted pets.
Organizers hope to match more than 1.5 million dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens with loving, adoptive families. LCDAS will launch its local campaign on Dec. 1 and by Dec. 31st hopes to place at least 250 pets from its facility into life-long homes. The campaign will place special emphasis on finding homes for those pets that have been at the shelter the longest or are in the most need. These special pets may be adopted for just $30. During December all adopted dogs will receive a collar and leash and all adopted cats will receive a toy!
The adoption fee for all pets includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, flea treatment, worming, heartworm test for dogs six months or older, feline aids and leukemia test for cats, a county license for pets three months or older, training DVD, Behavior Helpline, Microchip Pet ID, Hill’s Science Diet pet food, and 10-day Health Guarantee.The total adoption package is valued at more than $500.
In the past some shelters have actually gone so far as to discourage families from adopting pets during the holidays. Historically, however, this did not stop them from getting new pets during this time. It just took away the adoption option and forced them to support the puppy mill industry. As always, Animal Services works to match the needs of the pets with the lifestyles of the families regardless of the time of year.
Adoption hours at Lee County Domestic Animal Services are 11:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Saturday. For more information call 533-7387 (LEE-PETS). Pictures of pets available for adoption can be viewed online at www.LeeLostPets.com . The website updates hourly.
More information about the Lee County Animal Care Trust Fund is also available atwww.LeeLostPets.com. Please remember the ACTF for your tax-deductible year-end giving. This fund assisted over 1,200 pets during 2010 requiring veterinary care for illness or injury. Donations can be made online or mailed to:
Animal Care Trust Fund
c/o Lee County Domestic Animal Services
5600 Banner Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33912