Animal Services home page
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long do you keep animals at the shelter?
| We keep stray animals for at least five (5) days. Beyond the initial five days, animals are kept as space is available. We receive new animals daily. In 2006 Animal Services took in over 16,000 animals. Most of these animals were stray dogs and cats. |
2. How do I adopt a pet?
| Come to the shelter and view the animals we have for adoption. We must allow owners five (5) days in which to claim their lost animals. After the five-day holding period, animals may be placed for adoption. Animals relinquished by their owners are not subject to the five day holding period and may be adopted at any time. Click here for more adoption info. |
3. What is the cost of adoption?
| Cats: $50.00 | Dogs: $65.00 |
| Rabbits: $20.00 | Ferrets: $20.00 |
| Others: Varies |
4. What does the adoption fee cover?
| The adoption fee includes spay or neuter surgery, all vaccinations appropriate for the animals age, including rabies if the animal is three months of age or older; a county license if the animal is three months of age or older; first flea treatment; de-worming; a feline leukemia and feline aids test for cats; heartworm test for dogs, if six months or older; a nationally registered Microchip ID; and a training DVD. All pets adopted from shelters must be sterilized in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 823.15. |
5. How often does my pet need a license?
| Owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets four (4) months of age or older are required to purchase a new license when their pet's rabies vaccination expires and the pet is revaccinated. A current rabies vaccination is required to purchase the license. Rabies vaccinations may be administered in one or three year doses. Licenses expire on the date that the rabies vaccination expires. See Pet Licensing Information for more details. |
6. How often does my pet need shots?
| Dogs, cats, and ferrets four (4) months of age or older are required to have a rabies shot each year (some rabies shots are valid for three (3) years). You must have proof of rabies vaccination to purchase a Lee County license. Other vaccinations are recommended. Your veterinarian will advise you regarding other vaccinations available to protect your pet against disease. |
7. What are your hours?
| Our hours for claiming lost pets are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, Tuesday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. You may reclaim a lost pet or fill out a Lost Pet Report any time during these hours. Our adoption viewing hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, Tuesday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. You may view pets for adoption during these hours. We are open for intake of animals from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; Tuesday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday. |
8. Do you have a low cost spay/neuter clinic open to the general public?
| Lee County has a mobile spay/neuter clinic that will travel to low-income neighborhoods. To make an appointment call 533-7387 (LEE-PETS) and select the option for the Spay Station. |
9. What do I do if a neighbor's pet has become a nuisance?
| First try to contact the owner and work out a solution. If this doesn't work, you may file a formal complaint with Lee County Animal Services. We will send a letter to the owner of the animal stating there has been a complaint filed about their dog's barking. If the matter is not resolved, an Animal Control Officer will intervene. Nuisance violations of Lee County Ordinance 06-12 and Cape Coral Ordinance 52-06 are civil infractions and could result, upon conviction of a civil penalty, of up to $500.00 in fines. |
10 Does my pet have to be spayed or neutered?
| It is the law in the State of Florida that all dogs and cats adopted
from shelters must be spayed neutered. Nationally, six to eight million dogs and
cats are euthanized each year. This does not include those that die of disease,
starvation, fights with other animals, or are victims of traffic accidents. Lee
County Animal Services euthanized more than 10,000 dogs and cats in 2006 that were not
claimed by their owners or chosen for adoption. Despite efforts to promote adoptions
such as off-site adoption events, promoting animals in newspapers, on radio, television,
and the internet, and work with rescue organizations, there simply are not enough homes
for all of the animals born! Everyday in the United States 10,000 human babies are
born, while 70,000 puppies and kittens are born.* *Humane Society of the United States. |
Animal Services home page