Lee County Domestic Animal Services will join more than 2,000 pet shelters and adoption centers across the country for Home 4 the Holidays 2009, a national event organized to raise awareness of the joys of owning shelter-adopted pets. Organizers hope to match more than 350,000 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens with loving, adoptive families. LCDAS will launch its local campaign on Dec. 1 and by Dec. 31 hopes to place 300 pets from its facility in life-long homes.
The month-long campaign also includes a Doggy Dash on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miromar Outlets in Estero to benefit the Animal Care Trust Fund. Pet owners may bring their own dogs to Miromar to walk, shop, and help raise funds for Lee County’s homeless pets. A professional photographer will also be on hand for pet photos with Santa. More Doggy Dash details are available at www.LeeLostPets.com.
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 Hotline, Microchip Pet ID, Hill’s Science Diet pet food, and 10-day Health Guarantee. The total adoption package is valued at more than $500.
Each week during December adopters also will be entered for a prize drawing. With all that is offered with each adoption there is no better time to add a new companion to your family.
The Home 4 the Holidays adoption campaign is a departure from the traditional practice of shelters suspending pet adoptions during the holidays, which is normally a very hectic time. However, many shelters now realize this only leads to overcrowding and their homeless pets are missing out on the season when most people seek to add a companion animal to their family.
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 Web site updates hourly.
More information about the Animal Care Trust Fund is also available at www.LeeLostPets.com. Please remember the ACTF for your tax-deductible year-end giving. This fund assisted over 1,200 pets during 2009 requiring veterinary care for illness or injury. Donations can be mailed to:
Animal Care Trust Fund
c/o Lee County Domestic Animal Services
5600 Banner Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33912