The Pet Corner: June 3, 2006

Adopt a cat this June

Lee County Domestic Services remind residents that kitten season is under way, typically running from May through November, and has proclaimed June Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and has reduced the fee from $50 to $20 for cat adoptions through the entire month. All adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations appropriate for the cat's age, flea treatment, worming, test for feline AIDS and leukemia, and a nationally-registered microchip. In addition, animal services continues to encourage pet owners to sterilize their pets to control the unwanted pet population.

In addition, The Humane Society is celebrating by offering all cats for adoption at half-price in throughout the month. For senior cats (10 years and older) that comes to $17.50; for adult cats (16 weeks through 9 years) the fee goes down to $27.50; for kittens (under 16 weeks) adoption fees drop to $37.50.

Lab rescue seeks donations, volunteers

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.

Dog Day Sundae June 10

Are you up for some cold ice cream on a hot afternoon? Then come on out to Carvel Ice Cream Shop at 609 8th Street South (across from Cambier Park) from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 10, for its Dog Day Sundae fundraiser to benefit The Collier County Humane Society. Buy one sundae, cone, cup, float or shake, get the second at half-price. Revenues from the half-price purchase go to support orphaned pets at the humane society. In addition, adoptable dogs from the Humane Society will be on hand for viewing and adoption.

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 Humane Society needs volunteers

The Humane Society of Lee County is seeking volunteers who are 16 years of age and older who love to work with and around animals. There is an urgent need for dog walkers, assistance with shelter cleaning and people to spend time with cats during the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekend volunteers are always needed and are welcome. Other volunteer opportunities include pet matchmakers, phone volunteers from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, picking up doggie banks, picking up bins of donated food around Lee County and special fundraising events. The next volunteer orientation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. June 10. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.humanesociety-leecounty.org or call Lisa Melvin or Heather Francis at 332-0364.

Lee Humane Society needs foster homes

The Humane Society of Lee County is in urgent need of foster homes for puppies and kittens. Fostering is a great way to help an animal in need while he or she waits for his or her permanent home, and provide a safe haven where an animal can get tender loving care until they are ready to be adopted. HSLC provides all medical care, medicines and food that a foster animal may require during their stay. Fostering times vary from a few weeks to a few months, or whatever you are able to provide. For more information, call Tracy Jones at 332-0364.

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

• Roscoe is a 1-year-old, neutered male, American bulldog mix. He is sweet, happy (just look at that smiley face!) and loves people and other dogs. Adoption fee is $75. To meet Roscoe, call 450-6301 or go to www.collierrescue.com.

• Watson is a 3-year-old, declawed, neutered male tuxedo cat. He has personality plus. Watson is great with cats and people. Adoption fee is $55. To meet Watson, call 450-6301 or go to www.collierrescue.com.

• Cody is a 1½-year-old yellow Lab who time was running out at a shelter before Lab Rescue saved him. He has a beautiful cream-colored coat that has a slight wave, and for some reason he doesn't seem to shed as much as most Labs. Cody loves chasing a ball and going for car rides. He also enjoys swimming and dunking his nose in the water and blowing bubbles. Like most young Labs, he would definitely benefit from some professional training, and would respond best to an alpha owner. He would prefer being the only dog because he enjoys being the center of attention. A fenced yard would be ideal. Cody is available for adoption through Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida. To apply to adopt him, visit www.labradorrescue.net.

Area agencies offering animals for adoption include:

• The Friends of Gummi in Naples, 290-2485, or e-mail JRudolph@aol.com.

• 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.

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