July Pups n' Books event scheduled

On Saturday, July 15, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Collier Humane Society pets will be participating in the Pups n' Books children's reading program at the Collier County Library headquarters at 2385 Orange Blossom Drive in Naples.

This is the second of three programs this summer, designed to help children with reading disabilities (i.e. slow readers, those below grade level in reading, those with dyslexia, etc.) and to help them build their confidence in reading. Such programs in other parts of the country have been very effective. In addition to the reading program, there will be several dogs from The Humane Society on hand for adoption.

After the July session, there will be one more class Aug. 19, also from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Parents who wish to learn more about the program and reserve a space for their child should contact Pamela Moore at the Collier County Public Library, 593-0870.

DAS Advisory Committee meets

Domestic Animal Services Advisory Committee will meet Tuesday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the Domestic Animals Services shelter, located at 7610 Davis Blvd., in Naples. The agenda includes, but is not limited to, a discussion regarding the micro-chipping of pets in Collier County and a review of departmental statistics and reports. The meeting is open to the public.

Doggie Wash comes to Fort Myers

The Humane Society of Lee County is bringing its Doggie Wash Fundraiser to Fort Myers on from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 29, along with the Lee County Sheriff's Community Outreach Unit, which will be offering free fingerprinting to all area children at the same time. The event will be held at Veridian, a Gulfstream Homes community, on McGregor Boulevard, just west of San Carlos Boulevard. Come on down and get your "dirty dog" washed for a minimum donation of only $5 to 10, depending on its size. There will be a free gift bag for the first 75 dogs that get washed.

There will also be dog and cat micro-chipping available for only $10. Prepare your pet for hurricane season by getting them micro-chipped for a significant discount. Humane Society animals will be available for adoption on-site. And while your dogs are being washed, children can get fingerprinted for free by the Lee County Sheriff's Community Outreach Unit. Children will also be provided with Stranger Danger Tips as well as safety tips for parents to use in emergency situations. Information and fingerprints are strictly for the privacy of the families; no information is kept on file. There will be free hot dogs and drinks, prizes, games, and many other activities for the kids and WAVV radio will be on hand with plenty of prizes and surprises. All proceeds from the Doggie Wash will benefit the Humane Society of Lee County, a non-profit animal welfare organization that receives no federal state or county funding and relies solely upon donations and fundraisers to fuel its mission of caring for the orphaned pets of Lee County. For more information, call 332-0364.

Professional pet photos for charity

Award-winning photographer John Sciarrino is accepting appointments to take professional photos of people and pets at Giovanni Photography, July 21-29. This is a special fundraiser to help orphaned pets at The Humane Society of Collier County. Usual sitting fees for a photo shoot at Giovanni are $85, but owner John Sciarrino is reducing that to $25 and will donate 100 percent of sitting fees collected to The Humane Society. Customers can order pictures, greeting and holiday cards from the prints they select to keep. Giovanni Photography studio is located at 660 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 27. Call 263-2229 for more information and an appointment. Sitting times are only by appointment.

Humane Society seeks donations

• The Humane Society of Lee County is in urgent need of donations to stay in operation, including dry dog food — regular, light or reduced calorie, dry and canned puppy food, dry light cat food, dry urinary tract cat food, cat litter (regular, non-clumping), bleach, paper towels, dish soap, Fabuloso, laundry soap and dog shampoo. The public is also asked to make monetary donations to the society to defray the cost of veterinary care; any amount of donation is welcomed and appreciated.

• The Humane Society is in desperate need of cat litter donations. On average, the shelter goes through 500 pounds of cat litter each week, and those wishing to purchase or donate cat litter to the Humane Society are asked to purchase regular litter, as opposed to scoopable types, and drop them off at 2010 Arcadia Street, off of MLK Boulevard. The adoption center is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m.

• The facility is also in need of repairs, including paint and landscaping for its 59-year-old facility, and is seeking donations of labor and supplies, including someone to paint the interior and exterior of the building, and for sod, mulch, plant and tree donations. For more information, or to make donations, call 332-0364, ext. 303. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Discount microchips at Humane Society

The Humane Society of Lee County will offer pet microchipping for $10 through July, in an effort to curb the amount of displaced pets this hurricane season. All pets in the community may benefit from the discount. A microchip contains all of the information necessary to returning a lost pet, and registration is kept in databases that are available 24 hours a day. For more information on pet microchipping, call the Humane Society at 332-0364.

Prepare for storms this July

With the dramatic hurricane seasons of the last two years in mind, Lee County Animal Services is discounting the price of nationally registered microchip pet identification. During the month of July the cost for the Microchip will be reduced by 40 percent to only $10. The microchip ID is a small computer chip about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted by injection under the animal's skin between the shoulder blades. Nearly all shelters and veterinarians have scanners that read the Microchip's unique number that identifies the owner. Permanent microchip identification is the best way to ensure that pet owners are located whenever their pets are lost. All pets with microchip IDs that came into animal services' shelter during the past two hurricane seasons were reunited with their owners.

In addition to microchip protection for pets, Animal Services is currently selling Pet Hurricane Kits. The kits include pet first aid items for treatment of wounds and minor illnesses that pets may experience plus additional items needed in case of a disaster. Emergency information for making plans for pets is also included. The kits are valued at $60 but will be sold for $30 through July. For more information, visit www.leelostpets.com or call 432-2083.

Labrador rescue seeks donations, help

Labrador Rescue of Florida is seeking donations to support Labrador retrievers that have been abandoned and are in need of medical attention. These loving animals would be euthanized if LRRoF did not take them into foster care. It costs average $325 to save each dog. Donations can be made by clicking http://www.labradorrescue.net/donation.html.

Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida is a foster-based rescue group for pure bred Labrador Retrievers, and is seeking volunteers. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the organization, becoming a foster for a dog in need, adoption of a Labrador Retriever, visit www.labradorrescue.net.

Help rescue Golden retrievers

Golden Rescue In Naples Inc., a Naples-based golden retriever rescue group, is in need of volunteers, particularly foster homes for rescued dogs. Go to goldenrescueinnaples.petfinder.org. For information on volunteering or adopting a dog, call the hotline at 514-2715.

Collier Humane Society needs volunteers

The Humane Society of Collier County is in need of volunteers for positions such as kennel and cat attendants, pet socializers, foster parents, receptionists and more. Those interested need to be at least 17 years old, and should fill out a volunteer application, and attend one of the monthly volunteer orientations, usually held the third Saturday of each month at The Humane Society of Collier County. For more information, call JoAnn Johansen at 643-1880, ext. 18. Applications may also be picked up at the Humane Society.

Lee Animal Services urges spaying/neutering

Lee County Animal services urges pet owners who haven't altered their pets to do so out of love for their companion animals. Spaying and neutering greatly reduces the chance of breast cancer, and prevents various reproductive tract disorders, while neutering eliminates the risk of various testicular diseases. For more information on spaying and neutering, please call Lee Animal County Services at 432-2083.

PETS OF THE WEEK

• Cleo is 2-year-old mixed-breed with a wonderful personality and lots of charm. To meet Cleo, call 450-6301 or go to www.cccalrrescue.org.

• Oscar is a handsome, 2-year-old mixed breed who loves walks and play time. He enjoys dogs and loves people. Adoption fee is $75. To meet Oscar, call 450-6301 or go to www.ccalrescue.org.

• Spirit is an active, athletic yellow Lab weighing in at only 43 pounds. She loves to be with humans and like s dogs and cats. She can be independent at times, so she need some practice on the leash. Contact Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida through the Web site www.labradorrescue.net. All applicants will have a home inspection and vet reference (if applicable).

Area agencies offering animals for adoption include:

• The Friends of Gummi in Naples, 290-2485, or e-mail JRudolph@aol.com. Friends of Gummi now has two adoption locations. Kittens are available at the Estero PetSmart store, on U.S. 41 at Coconut Point, seven days a week during store hours. Puppies are available at the Estero PetSmart on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Kittens and puppies are available at the Naples Petco store on Airport Road at Naples Boulevard on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kittens are $60 each or two for one. Puppies are $85 each or two for one.

• The Animal Refuge Center, 731-3535, or go to www.animalrefuge.com.

• Lee County Animal Services, 432-2083, or www.LeeLostPets.com.

• The Greyhound Adoption Kennel, 731-3187, or www.greyhoundadoptionkennel.com.

• S.P.A.Y.-Lee Inc., 939-3680 or 936-2727.

• Second Chance for Greyhounds, 454-0880, or www.secondchanceforgreyhounds.org.

• Humane Society of Lee County, 332-0364, or www.humanesociety-leecounty.org.

• Humane Society of Collier County, 643-1555, or www.collierhumanesoc.org.

• Collier County Domestic Animal Services, 530-7387.

• Golden Rescue In Naples Inc. (a Naples-based golden retriever rescue group), 514-2715 or goldenrescueinnaples.petfinder.org.

Homes For Happy Hounds, Inc. Greyhound Adoption, 465-3445, or Hounds@homesforhappyhounds.org

• Homeward Bound Greyhounds, 353-7335 or e-mail homewardbndgreys@aol.com.

Area agencies with adoptable pets may submit photos and information to cccottrill@bonitanews.com. Pet-related activities are also welcome for The Pet Corner, a column that is published with Pets of the Week.