PRESS RELEASE
Lee County Animal Services
 
MEDIA CONTACT:  Ria Brown, Public Information Specialist, Lee County Animal Services
                                   (239) 432-2090 Ext. 241
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Lee County Animal Service Braces for Kitten Season!
 
Fort Myers, Florida, 5/14/03—The hotter months in Florida bring about lots of fun in the sun and summer vacations for many families.  Unfortunately, for shelters it also brings about the birth of many unwanted litters of kittens.  “Kitten season” runs from May to November in most parts of the country but typically extends longer in states such as Florida where the warm weather lasts much longer.
 
For this reason national animal welfare organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Humane Association have chosen June as the month to highlight the overpopulation of unwanted cats.  For anyone considering the addition of a feline companion to their family, June is the perfect time to visit the shelter and select from a variety of cats and kittens ranging in breed from domestic tabbies to exotic Persians.
 
Lee County Animal Services will make the opportunity even more enticing by reducing the cat adoption fee from $50 to $40 for the entire month of June!  All adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations appropriate for the animal’s age, flea treatment, worming, test for feline aids and leukemia, and a nationally registered Microchip Pet ID.  This is an average value of $370 (not including the pet).  There is no better time or place to get a better deal on cat adoptions and services!
 
The average number of cats entering the shelter monthly during kitten season is 556 compared to 377 during other months of the year.  The average number of adoptions per month stays about the same, approximately 65.  Less than 2% of stray cats are claimed by their owners.  These statistics mean even more cats and kittens are euthanized during the summer months simply because there aren’t enough homes.  In an effort to combat this problem Animal Services is also offering Microchip IDs to the general public for just $10 during June.  Lost pets claimed by their owners always receive free Microchip IDs to ensure they will have a safe return home in the future.
 
For more information about adopting a shelter cat, call (239) 432-2083 or visit Lee County Animal Services’ website at www.LeeLostPets.com.  Pictures and descriptions of animals for adoption are available online.  Information about selecting the pet that is right for you is available at Lee County Animal Services’ shelter in its newly dedicated Animal Education Resource Library.