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Animal Services Offers Discount on Microchip ID Through Oct. 31
Oct 21, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fort Myers, Florida, 10/21/05-Lee County Animal Services is offering pet owners another chance to provide permanent identification for their pets. Through the end of October the agency will implant nationally registered microchip IDs for only $10. The threat of hurricanes is not over for Southwest Florida this year and there is still time to protect pets in case they lose their collars with their only form of identification. Although collars can come off, the microchip ID, a small computer chip about the size of a piece of rice, is implanted by injection underneath the animal's skin and cannot be lost or removed. The chip can be read with a scanner that all animal control agencies and most veterinarians have as part of their regular equipment. The importance of the microchip became very apparent to Animal Services' staff as they assisted with the rescue efforts in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. Even with identification on pets' collars it was often impossible to find owners. Not only were phones out of service but, an address did not help when the home was no longer standing. With microchip identification owners provide an alternative contact outside of their own area so someone can be reached when the animal is found. Additionally, pet owners should have pets are up-to-date on vaccinations. The spread of disease is always increased following a hurricane or disaster where standing water is likely to be contaminated. Of course, the safest option is to take pets with you if you are evacuating. A list of pet friendly lodging across Florida and the US is available on Animal Services' website, www.leelostpets.com as well as other guidelines for preparation and frequently asked questions. For more information about Animal Services, its programs or to view pets online, visit Lee County Animal Services' website at www.leelostpets.com or call (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 Dept. |