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Animal Services Offers New Health Guarantee with Pet Adoptions
Apr 4, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Ria Brown, Public Information Specialist Animal Services Offers New Health Guarantee with Pet Adoptions FORT MYERS, FL (April 4, 2008) – Thousands of homeless pets enter shelters everyday with unknown medical histories. Pets with serious and long-term issues are usually easily identified. However, short-term issues may be more difficult to predict. To alleviate this concern for pet owners Animal Services is now offering a 10 day health guarantee for pets adopted from their shelter. Many prospective pet owners are drawn to the shelter for the variety of pets available, including pure breeds; because adoption fees are significantly lower than pet shops or breeders; and adoptions typically include sterilization and vaccinations. The problem with this scenario is that new owners maybe faced with veterinary bills within the first few days because their new cat may come down with an upper respiratory infection or their new dog may have kennel cough. While these minor illness are common when pets have been in a multiple housing situation, veterinary bills may add up to one hundred dollars or more for the newly acquired pet. To eliminate this unexpected situation and encourage people to adopt shelter pets, Lee County Animal Services will treat pets adopted from their shelter that come down with a common treatable illness within 10 days following adoption. This will offer pet owners peace of mind knowing there won't be any immediate unforeseen expenses. For the first 10 days following adoption the new owners may contact the shelter and bring their pet in for a visit with Animal Services' veterinarian. Any treatment or medication administered at the shelter will be free. Animal Services will not be able to reimburse pet owners for treatment or services outside the shelter. Shelters are always challenged in their mission to successfully re-home pets. The new 10 day health guarantee is just one way Animal Services is working to place more animals and reduce euthanasia. For more information please contact Lee County Animal Services at (239) 533-7387 (LEE-PETS). Lost pets and pets for adoption may be viewed online at www.leelostpets.com. The adoption fee for dogs is $65, cats are $50. The fee includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations appropriate for the pets age, rabies vaccination and county license if 3 months or older, heartworm test for dogs 6 months or older, feline leukemia and aids test for cats, worming, flea treatment, nationally registered microchip ID, collar, training DVD, and 10 day health guarantee. The shelter is open for adoptions and claiming lost pets from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday; and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday |