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"Florida Animal Friend" Specialty License Plates Now on Sale
Apr 21, 2005 News Release Lee County Animal Services Media Contact: Ria Brown, (239) 432-2090 ext. 241 "Florida Animal Friend" Specialty License Plates Now On Sale Lee County Animal Services joins the Tax Collector's Office in announcing the availability of the new "Florida Animal Friend" specialty license plate. Approved in the 2004 legislative session, proceeds from the new "Animal Friend" specialty license plate will be used to fund spay/neuter initiatives in the state. Now, Lee County car owners will have the option of purchasing the "Animal Friend" license plate for an additional $25 fee when they buy their annual vehicle licenses. Proceeds from the first 2,400 plates sold will go to reimburse the state for the $60,000 required for development of the plate. After that, proceeds will be put into a fund distributed by the Florida Animal Friend Coalition through grants to spay/neuter programs statewide. The goal is to raise enough money to prevent unwanted births of puppies and kittens and thereby reduce the number of animals abandoned on the streets and the number euthanized in shelters. The Animal Friend Coalition worked to make the "Animal Friend" plate a reality. The coalition is comprised of animal care groups including: the Florida Animal Control Association, the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, and the Humane Society of the United States, as well as several individuals. The plates can be purchased at any Lee County Tax Office location. For more information about purchasing the Florida Animal Friend plate, call the Lee County Tax Collector's Office at (239) 339-6000 or visit www.leetc.com on the web. For answers to frequently asked questions about the Florida Animal Friend license plate and answers to myths and facts about spaying and neutering call Lee County Animal Services at (239) 432-2083 or go online at www.LeeLostPets.com.
Florida Animal Friend License Plate Supporting the Florida Animal Friend License Plate will help reduce the number of dogs and cats being euthanized because they do not have a home. Please consider purchasing this specialty plate for your vehicles and help stop the pet overpopulation crisis. We need your help!
Q. Where can people purchase it? Downtown Fort Myers Office 2480 Thompson Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 Bonita Springs Office 25300 Bernwood Drive, Suite 3 Bonita Springs, FL 34135 Cape Coral Office 1039 SE 9th Place, Room 102 Cape Coral, FL 3390 Fort Myers Beach Office 17105 San Carlos Blvd., F-3 Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 Lehigh Acres Office 1446-48 Lee Blvd. Lehigh Acres, FL 33936 North Fort Myers Office 13860 N. Cleveland Ave., Units I&J North Fort Myers, FL 33917 Q. How much will it cost? Q. How does it work? Q. Can my pet's name be put on the plate? Q. How will the proceeds of the plate be used? Q. What do "spay" and "neuter" really mean? A. Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on the age, size, and health of the animal, he or she will stay at the veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, the pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Q. Is spaying or neutering good for your pet?A. Yes, because Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives. Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat. Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer. Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease. Q. Is spaying or neutering a benefit to the pet owner?A. Yes, because Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory. Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals. Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than those who have been spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite. Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights. Q. Is spaying and neutering good for the community Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals. Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals. Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks. Homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs. Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife. Myths and Facts about Spaying and Neutering MYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy. FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because they are fed too much and don't get enough exercise. MYTH: It's better to have one litter first. FACT: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. MYTH: My children should experience the miracle of birth. FACT: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth - which is unlikely, since it usually occurs in seclusion at night - the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, children should be taught that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others. MYTH: But my pet is a purebred. FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets in animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats-mixed breed and purebred. MYTH: I want my dog to be protective. FACT: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones. MYTH: I don't want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male. FACT: Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He won't suffer any emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. MYTH: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her. FACT: A dog or cat may be great, but that doesn't mean offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get those same traits. A pet owner's chances are even slimmer. MYTH: I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens. FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet's litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters that need good homes. Also, in less than one year's time, each of your pet's offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time. |