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Animal Svcs Earns National Association of Counties Achievement Award
Jun 16, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ria Brown, Public Information Specialist Lee County Animal Services Earns National Association of Counties Achievement Award Fort Myers, Florida, June 16, 2005- Lee County's Animal Services Department was awarded the prestigious 2005 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for their innovative Spay/Neuter Assistance Project. The project was a community cooperative effort targeted at reducing the pet overpopulation problem in several areas of the county with economic challenges. Lee County was among 93 counties in 25 states that earned Achievement Awards for such innovative approaches to problems in 2005. The Achievement Award Program recognizes counties seen as national leaders by improving the management of resources and delivery of services provided by county government. Since its inception in 1970, the Achievement Award Program has honored hundreds of county government initiatives that have improved service delivery, achieved greater cost efficiency, provided finer customer service, and helped to develop a better-trained work force. The award winning programs provide NACo and its membership with an extensive database of successful county programs to assist others in improving services in their communities. Jacqueline Byers, Director of Research, said, "this year's achievement awards demonstrate that counties are willing to tackle the tough problems to try to do more with less. I saw many examples of counties collaborating across jurisdictional lines to provide more efficient services and also saw counties reexamining and streamlining their existing systems and programs. Counties are also taking on problems that no one else is addressing and finding realistic solutions. I am proud to call this year's winners model county programs." Lee County Animal Services' Spay/Neuter Assistance Project has been successful in sterilizing pets from targeted low-income neighborhoods and those of owners on public assistance. The program addresses both the cost savings by preventing overpopulation through sterilization and the value of educating the public about the benefits of a sterilized animal. To accomplish those goals the program has overcome language barriers and transportation problems faced by these residents. All surgeries are performed at low or no cost through money generated by pet license sales, private grants, and a partnership with the Affordable Spay Neuter Clinic of Lee County and veterinarians. The program demonstrates best practices by solving a community problem without taxing taxpayers. Information about Lee County Animal Services' programs is available at www.leelostpets.com or at (239) 432-2083. 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/neuter programs, animal cruelty investigation, education, rabies control, and bite case management programs. The shelter is located off Six Mile Cypress Parkway next to the Lee County Sheriff's Office. |