Fort Myers, FL, – Lee County Domestic Animal Services has been named Outstanding Agency of the Year by the Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) at its yearly conference. Animal Services’ Fort Myers Beach Search and Rescue Team also received the Outstanding Cooperative Team Achievement Award for their efforts following Hurricane Ian.
Animal Services provides around-the-clock field services to over 750,000 residents. Rescue group partnerships have increased by over 100% in 10 years, reducing the euthanasia rate by 55%. Through outreach and strong media relations the adoptions steadily increase each year.
During and after Hurricane Ian, staff managed emergency shelters while also caring for the pets at its primary location. The mobilization of an off-site veterinary clinic provided much needed services for Lee County residents. Mobile pet pantries were set up throughout the county.
The field team went into search and rescue mode in the days following Ian’s landfall, working long days amid devastation to help reunite families with missing pets. This team worked closely with multiple agencies to impound, recover and reunite pets with their owners or next of kin.
Lee County Domestic Animal Services would like to thank FACA for the recognition and are proud to be members of the organization.
The Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) was organized in 1961. Their mission is threefold:
- To cooperate with public agencies dealing with animal control and protection
- To provide assistance to local animal organizations through support disaster planning and post-disaster operations
- To promote justice and equity in enforcement of local and state laws and regulations
For more information call 239-533-7387 (LEE-PETS) or visit www.LeeLostPets.com. Find Lee County Domestic Animal Services’ social media sites on Facebook or Instagram @leeanimalservices. The county facility is located at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33912.
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