FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lee County Animal Services
(239) 432-2090 Ext. 241
Lee County Animal Services Offers Discount on Microchip Pet IDs
Fort Myers, Florida, 9/04/03 – Everyday Lee County Animal Services receives
calls from worried citizens who have lost their pets. While most pet owners
think that losing a pet could never happen to them, a recent National Council on
Pet Population Study and Policy revealed that it happens a lot: About 3.8
million dogs and 2.3 million cats entering the nation’s shelters last year were
strays. In Lee County 4,757 stray dogs and 4,206 stray cats were picked up in
2002.
Even more discouraging to animal care and control agencies, is the low percentage of lost pets that are claimed by their owners. Just 22% of the dogs and only 2% of the cats in Lee County were claimed by their owners last year. Animal Services cannot locate the owners of animals without identification and cannot adopt out all of the unclaimed pets because there simply are not enough homes.
To improve the odds, Lee County Animal Services is offering a discount on Microchip Pet Ids during the month of September. Pet owners may purchase Microchip IDs for only $15, a 40% savings off the regular price. Animal Services hopes this special offer will encourage pet owners to provide the extra protection a Microchip ID offers since it cannot be lost or removed like a license or other tags. Animals entering the shelter are scanned on three separate occasions to check for a Microchip ID. This dramatically increases the chances of finding the pet’s owner.
Pets may be microchipped at Lee County Animal Services’ shelter, 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, and Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. No appointment is necessary.
For information on microchip identification or to view lost pets and pets for adoption online, visit www.LeeLostPets or call (239) 432-2083.