News Release

MEDIA CONTACT:  Ria Brown, Public Information Specialist, Lee County Animal Services

(239) 432-2090 Ext. 241

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES WINS FLORIDA PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION IMAGE AWARDS

Fort Myers, FL, May 12, 2003 - Lee County Animal Services is the winner of two Florida Public Relations Association Image Awards and two Judges Awards. The Awards ceremony was held May 1, 2003 at Gulf Harbour Country Club in Fort Myers.

Animal Services won its first award in the Public Relations Programs Division in the Public Service Category for its "Vaccination and Identification Campaign." Animal Services launched the campaign to increase the number pets vaccinated and licensed among low- to moderate-income groups and senior citizens. The campaign resulted in 633 pets from the target market receiving vaccinations and licenses, many for the first time! Awards of Distinction in the category went to the Lee County Port Authority for its Airport Security Campaign and the Southwest Florida Addition Services' Alcohol Awareness Campaign.

The agency received its second award for Public Relations Programs in the Institutional Category for its "Adopt A Shelter Cat Month" promotion. Through this promotion, Animal Services brought attention to the need to spay and neuter pets and the wonderful cats available for adoption at shelters. Through media coverage and promotions at two local Wal-Mart stores, adoptions increased by 37% for the month. An Award of Distinction in the category also went to Lehigh Regional Medical Center for its Image Campaign.

Special Judges Awards were also given in both categories for achieving maximum results while using a minimum amount of money. Lee County Animal Services produced its campaigns in-house without the use of any outside agencies that further reduced costs for these projects. More information is available on this year's Image Awards at www.FPRASWFL.org. For more information about Lee County Animal Services' programs, services, and events visit their website at www.LeeLostPets.com.