FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 21, 2000) – Lee County Animal Services informs area residents that the shelter is suffering from extreme overcrowding. The county’s shelter has been inundated recently with owner-released animals following the Humane Society of Lee County’s announcement that they are no longer accepting animals.
The county’s shelter was intended to hold Lee County’s stray and abandoned animal population. However, recent months have shown an increase in the number of owned animals relinquished at the shelter. During the month of May, Animal Services took in over 100 owned animals in addition to strays. The shelter is required to hold strays for five days to be claimed by owners unless they are sick or injured. Consequently, there may not be space to keep animals relinquished by their owners, for more than 24 hours.
Animal Services is currently the only shelter in Lee County that does not have the option of turning animals away when overcrowded. Director, Pamela Hodgens, anticipates the number of owner released pets increasing to 300 per month. Animal Services already takes in nearly 800 strays monthly. “We want the public to understand that the solution to this problem lies in their hands through responsible pet ownership and spaying and neutering. Euthanasia is not an acceptable long-term solution,” says Hodgens.
Lee County Animal Services encourages persons wanting to add a pet to their family, to come to their shelter at 5600 Banner Drive and save a life. Adoption alone, however, will not end the crisis. Statistics show that animal births exceed human births by a ratio of seven to one. Ending pet overpopulation by spaying and neutering all dogs and cats, is the only solution.
For more information contact Ria Brown, Public Promotions
Specialist, Lee County Animal Services at (941) 432-2083.