Can I leave my animals or board my pet at Lee County Animal Services?

No, Lee County Animal Services provides space for stray and lost animals. The number of animals entering the shelter increases dramatically during events like hurricanes and space is extremely limited. Following Hurricane Charley all adoption animals had to be transferred out of the shelter to make room for the added inflow of stray and lost animals. [Please note: Other local shelters, including Gulf Coast Humane Society, also do not accept animals for boarding during a hurricane.]

Will Animal Services be open for regular services during the storm?

Yes, every effort is made to keep regular hours of operation during the storm, and if possible extended hours may be provided to allow owners to reclaim pets. Call (239) 533-7387 (LEE-PETS) for details.

How long are animals held during the storm and afterward?

All animals will be held at least five days. Every effort will be made to hold animals as long as practical following the storm. Space is limited so owners are encouraged to reclaim their pets promptly. While Animal Services will make every effort to provide extended holding periods, as they have done in the past, there are no guarantees that space will be available to provide that courtesy. Call (239) 533-7387 (LEE-PETS) for details.

Can I surrender my animal to Animal Services for possible adoption?

No, Animal Services only accepts owner-surrendered pets when space is available and during the storm there will be a lack of available space.  Priority for space will go to stray and lost animals.

Can I board my pets anywhere else in Lee County such as a boarding kennel or veterinarian's office? 

It may be possible, but only limited space may be available and certain requirements are established by each private facility. You must contact these private businesses yourself to see if space is available. (Please note most of these facilities are not built to be hurricane shelters.)

What are my options for my pet? 

If possible, plan to evacuate to any area where the hurricane is not predicted to hit.  Check if friends, relatives, boarding kennels, and hotels are able to house you and your pets. Lee County Animal Services' website, www.LeeLostPets.com, has a link to pet-friendly lodging across the state.  Just click on the link for Hurricane Guidelines.  If you live on a barrier island or in a house or mobile home that is not structurally sound, check to see if you and your pets can stay with friends or relatives who live in a sturdier house.

What do I need if I take my pet with me when I evacuate? 

Lee County Animal Services' website, www.LeeLostPets.com, also has a list of supplies that you will need if you evacuate with your pets.  Click on the link for Hurricane Guidelines.  Remember, in addition to supplies such as carriers, food, etc., you will need your pet's medical records when traveling.  Allow yourself enough time to get the medical records from your veterinarian or have your pet's vaccinations up-dated, if needed.

What do I do if my only option is to go to a Red Cross Shelter and I could not find anyone or any place to care for my pets? 

Leaving your pets behind should be a last resort but if you have no other options leave them in the interior part of your home preferably in a room without windows but with access to a source of water such as a dripping faucet in a tub or sink.  Make sure there is something they can climb up onto in case of flooding.  Never leave them in their carriers as they could drown if it floods. 

The Lee County Mandatory Evacuation Pet Shelter (M.E.P.S.) for dogs and cats only will be located at South Fort Myers High School on Plantation Rd. As the name implies, the shelter will be available only to persons and residents under evacuation orders that are unable to seek alternative shelter.  Residents must make their own emergency plans that include arrangements for evacuation and sheltering of family and pets.  Options for hotels/motels that accept pets are available at www.PetsWelcome.com. Pet owners should also check with friends and relatives outside the affected areas where the hurricane is predicted to hit.  Monitor local TV and radio stations to find out when the shelter will open. Only dogs and cats will be accepted. 

Pet owners should be aware that there are risks whenever multiple pets are housed in close quarters.  The most serious is the spread of disease.  Vaccinations have to be administered in advance of disease exposure to provide protection. Check with your veterinarian about which vaccines are recommended for your pet and when they should be given to best protect your pet. Unfortunately even with the best precautions and care, pets in these M.E.P.S. may be exposed to parasites, bacteria, viruses and other communicable conditions. The increased stress of the mass housing and disaster conditions may further compromise a pet’s immune system and reduce the ability to fight off the exposure. 

M.E.P.S. will be operated similar to people shelters and as such, registrations will not be taken.  Pet owners are required to stay at the shelter but will be housed in separate areas.  Upon admission, one family member will be assigned the task of tending to the pet at pre-assigned times.  Pets must be removed when the shelter is officially closed. 

Additionally, pet owners must bring all of their own supplies including the following.

• Pet food
• Bowls for food and water
• Sturdy, impact resistant carriers (no soft carriers or make-shift containers)
• Bedding for the carrier is recommended
• Litter, litter boxes, and scoop for cats
• Pet’s regular medications
• Toys, chewing objects or other stress relief for your pet
• Lee County license and other identification (Microchip IDs are encouraged)
• pet's medical record.  Check with your veterinarian to see if your pet is up to date on the recommended vaccinations

What should I be concerned about after the storm?

Make sure all pets are leashed when they go outside.  Familiar territory and scents may be altered and pets may become confused.  There may be exposure to hazards such as downed power lines, wild animals and floodwaters.

What should I do if I find a lost animal?

I you find a lost animal contact Lee County Animal Services at (239) 533-7387 (LEE-PETS) at once.  After Hurricane Charley, many well-intentioned residents held onto lost pets they found and actually prevented the rightful owners from claiming their pets.  If you do not wish to leave the lost pet at the shelter you should bring it in to the shelter to be scanned for a Microchip ID that would identify the owner.  You should also fill out a “Found Report” in case the owner comes to the shelter looking for the pet.