FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   

Contact:   Scott Trebatoski, Lee County Animal Services (941) 432-2090, ext. 230 or
                Ria Brown, 432-2090, ext. 241                       

LEE COUNTY ESTABLISHES TRUST FUND FOR ANIMALS

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 11, 2002) – The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the creation of an Animal Care Trust Fund that ultimately will allow Lee County Animal Services to receive private donations and donors to get a tax write-off. 

An Animal Care Trust Fund Committee also will be established to oversee disbursements from the fund.  The committee will have five members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. 

Expenditures from the fund will be used for: 

• Emergency medical care for animals. 

• Services such as vaccinations and spaying/neutering for pet owners who cannot afford to pay. 

• Other expenditures as approved by the Trust Fund Committee.

In the past, donors have approached Animal Services but were reluctant to contribute because a trust fund had not been established and the money could be mixed with the county’s general operating funds.  The Animal Trust Fund solves that issue. 

For more information on how you can donate, contact Ria Brown or Scott Trebatoski at the above phone numbers. 

Lee County Animal Services provides animal control services throughout Lee County and operates an animal shelter to house stray and abandoned domestic animals.  It also administers low-cost spay and neuter programs, educational initiatives, Rabies and bite case control programs, and humane euthanasia when appropriate.  It employs 32 and has an annual operating budget of $1.8 million.