Media Contact: Ria Brown, Public Information Specialist, Lee County Animal Services
(239) 432-2090 Ext. 241
Lee County Animal Services Holds Annual Tag Day Licensing and Identification
Clinic
Fort Myers, Florida, (March 9, 2004) – Everyday Lee County Animal Services receives numerous calls from pet owners who have lost their companion animals and other citizens that have found pets with no identification. A fact that is not surprising considering that over 10,000 of the nearly 14,000 animals taken in by the shelter last year were strays. Only about 2 percent of those pets were wearing identification that would have ensured their safe return home.
"What makes this even more tragic is how few of these animals are ever reunited with their owners when national statistics show that 98% of animals wearing identification or with a Microchip ID are returned to their owners," says Scott Trebatoski, Director of Lee County Animal Services. Only about 10 percent of the pets taken in by the shelter were claimed in Lee County in 2003.
To improve these odds, Lee County Animal Services will hold its annual Tag Day Licensing and Identification Clinic on Saturday, April 3, 2004 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the shelter, 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers. Pet owners should bring a copy of their pet’s rabies certificate from their veterinarian which is required by law to purchase the county license. Animal Service’s veterinarian will be available to administer rabies shots for unvaccinated pets for an additional charge.
As an additional safe guard for pets, nationally registered Microchip IDs will also be available for only $10, which is $15 off the regular price. “The Microchip ID will better help us identify and return lost pets," says Trebatoski. Pets can lose ID tags but the microchip is a permanent form of identification. With over 1,000 animals a month entering the facility strays can only be held for five days. If they are not claimed after five days they may be adopted to someone else or may have to be euthanized due to the shortage of space.
For
more information on Tag Day, contact Lee County Animal Services at (239)
432-2083 or
www.LeeLostPets.com.