MEDIA CONTACTS:     Ria Brown, Lee County Animal Services
                                    (941) 432-2090 Ext. 241
                                    Martha Malamet, Humane Society of Lee County
                                   (941) 332-0364 Ext. 222
                                    Judith Yevick, Animal Refuge Center
                                    (941) 731-3535

Fort Myers, Florida, November 9, 2001— Lee County Animal Services, The Humane Society of Lee County, and the Animal Refuge Center are joining 1,000 animal shelters throughout the country for Home 4 the Holidays 2001. From November 13 through January 6 local shelters hope to bring hundreds of homeless dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens together with loving adoptive families. Home 4 The Holidays’ goal is to make sure that these pets spend every holiday at home!

The event is a departure from the traditional practice of shelters suspending pet adoptions during the holidays, which are normally very hectic. In the past it was considered a bad time to introduce a new pet into the household. However, many shelters euthanize more animals during this period due to overcrowding while missing out on the season when most people seek to add a companion animal to their family.

To capitalize on this opportunity, the shelters will kick off Home 4 the Holidays with a variety of celebrations. November 10 at 6:00 pm, The Animal Refuge Center will hold their annual Starlight Auction at the Sanibel Harbour Resort. Lee County Animal Services will have an Open House and Holiday Party from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at their shelter, 5600 Banner Dr., Fort Myers, followed by The Humane Society of Lee County’s Open House and Holiday Party on November 18 from noon to 4:00 pm at the shelter, 2008 Arcadia St., Fort Myers. Many more events will follow throughout Home 4 The Holidays.

Pets adopted during the campaign will go to their new homes with a holiday meal courtesy of the Iams Company and a new toy courtesy of PETCO while supplies last. In addition, pets adopted from Lee County Animal Services will receive a free Microchip ID. Animal Services will also offer nationally registered Microchip IDs for $10.00 to all pets from November 13 through January 6. Pet owners are encouraged to take advantage of this offer for their current companion animals.

For more information regarding individual shelter activities planned from November 13 through January 6 in celebration of this event, contact Lee County Animal Services at (941) 432-2083 or

http://lee-county.com/animalservices, The Humane Society of Lee County at (941) 332-0364 or http://www.humanesocietyleecounty.org, and the Animal Refuge Center at (941) 731-3535 or http://www.animalrefuge.com.