Surrendering Your Owned Pet
(Revised 1/20/10)
Lee County Domestic Animal Services (LCDAS) is a government, tax-funded, stray domestic animal control facility with primary responsibility for stray animal control services. LCDAS accepts owner surrendered pets when capacity is available and contingent upon the pet not possessing any health or temperament issues that would deem the pet a “public safety or health” risk. LCDAS enacted this owner surrender policy to reduce euthanasia by controlling the number of incoming pets surrendered by owners. Adoptable pets currently in our care will not be euthanized to make capacity to accept an owner’s surrendered pet.
If capacity is unavailable through LCDAS, owners may complete an owner surrender form which will be kept on file until capacity is available. The owner will be notified by LCDAS to schedule an appointment for surrendering their pet when capacity becomes available. A surrender fee of $50 per adult animal or $50 per litter will be collected at the time of your surrender appointment. If the owner is surrendering a mother and the litter, the fee collected will be $100. If the owner is only surrendering the litter and plans to keep ownership of the mother and/or father, LCDAS can provide assistance with low-cost sterilization of these pets to prevent future unwanted litters.
While placed on the LCDAS waiting list, owners should pursue all available options to find a loving, responsible home for their pet since LCDAS cannot guarantee placement of your pet:
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Contact family, friends and co-workers who may wish to adopt your pet.
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Contact local humane societies and breed rescue groups for assistance who accept surrendered pets:
Animal Refuge Center
17991 Old Bayshore Rd.
North Fort Myers, FL
(239) 731-3535
Gulf Coast Humane Society
2010 Arcadia St.
Ft. Myers, FL
(239) 332-0364
Affordable Animal Care Clinic
14561 Palm Beach Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33905
(239) 694-7271
Our Hope Center
893 Pondella Rd.
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
(239) 543-7387 (PETS)
P.A.W.S. Lee County
3410 N. Cleveland Ave.
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
(239) 652-6722
Breed Rescue Groups:
www.petfinder.com
www.skipspharmacy.com
www.pets911.com
www.flarescue.tripod.com
- Place an ad in your local newspaper and on websites such as Craig’s List and post flyers at your veterinarian’s office, groomers, pet stores and your workplace. Make sure you perform a home visit and veterinary reference check on anyone considering adopting your pet. LCDAS also recommends not giving your pet away as “free to a good home” as individuals may sell your pet for research or dog fighting. Charging an adoption fee is giving your pet an insurance policy.
- If you are unable to find a loving, responsible home for your pet through the options listed above and must surrender your pet prior to LCDAS having capacity to accept your pet, you may wish to contact your veterinarian or one the following agencies to provide humane euthanasia services if needed:
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Eastside Animal Hospital on Palm Beach Blvd - $75.00 for Euthanasia and Body Care starts at $53.00 – (239) 694-8720
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Gulf Coast Humane Society - $65.00 for Euthanasia and Body Care runs from $25.00 to $235.00 – (239) 332-2719
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Best Friends Animal Hospital in Gateway – $108.00 for Euthanasia and Body Care starts at $75.00 – (239) 768-7387
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Pine Island Animal Hospital on Pine Island - $60.00 - $85.00 for Euthanasia and Body Care starts at $25.00 – (239) 283-1244
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PAWS Lee County – 13410 N. Cleveland Ave. – (239) 652-6722
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Our Hope Center – 893 Pondella Rd., North Ft. Myers – (239) 543-7387
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Affordable Animal Care Clinic - 14561 Palm Beach Blvd., Ft. Myers – (239) 694-7271
Fees are subject to change. For the most current and up-to-date costs, contact the individual agency directly.