FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ria Brown, Public Information Specialist

Lee County Animal Services

(239) 432-2090 Ext. 241

 
Prepare Pets for Hurricane Season:  Lee County Animal Services Offers Tips on Protecting Pets

Fort Myers, Florida, (6/30/04) – In Southwest Florida the biggest threats from hurricanes occur during August through October.  Lee County Animal Services is encouraging pet owners to prepare now in case of a hurricane or other disaster.   While people make plans to secure their homes and families in case of a hurricane, many forget to make sure their pets will be safe and protected until it’s too late.  Pet owners are always advised to keep their pets up-to-date on vaccinations and licensing.  However, during a disaster it is even more important as prevention against the spread of disease and to ensure that pets have the best chance of being returned to their owners.

Information on how to prepare pets in case of a hurricane is available at the shelter and online at
http://www.lee-county.com/animalservices/hurricane_guidelines.htm.   All dogs, cats, and ferrets are required by law to have a current rabies vaccination and county license.  However, pet owners should contact their veterinarian for other recommended vaccinations, such as those for kennel cough, distemper, and parvo, which may be required when boarding pets.  Licenses may be purchased at participating veterinary clinics and at Lee County Animal Services’ shelter. 

A Microchip ID is recommended as a permanent form of identification for pets in case tags and other types of identification are lost.  The Microchip ID is a small computer chip about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted by injection under the animal’s skin between the shoulder blades.  All animal control agencies, humane organizations, and veterinarians have scanners that read the microchip’s unique number that identifies the owner.  Permanent identification, such as the microchip, is the best way to ensure that pets can be identified following a disaster or any time an animal’s ID tags are lost.  Lee County Animal Services has nationally registered Microchip IDs available to the general public for only $25, a substantial savings over the cost of the microchip at other locations.

For more information about how to prepare your pets in case of a hurricane, visit Animal Services’ web site at www.leelostpets.com or call 432-2083.