Lee County Humane Society is taking extensive precautions in order to protect the health of our staff, fosters, volunteers, and supporters during the developing crisis surrounding the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the resulting COVID-19 illness.
Our safety measures include the implementation of strict cleaning procedures to ensure that all shared surfaces, including door handles, keyboards, and countertops are fully disinfected throughout the day. Staff members who show signs of any illness, as well as those who may have been exposed to any illness or virus will not be permitted to work onsite at the shelter until cleared by a physician.
Any pet owners who need to surrender a pet to the shelter must call ahead and speak with a manager. We also ask that individuals who have a fever and/or respiratory symptoms, including volunteers and adopters, not visit the shelter, to avoid infecting essential staff and other visitors.
All offsite events are canceled through the month of March, including all of our regular adoption events at PetSmart and PetCo, as well as Bark in the Park. We are also postponing our annual gala, Shrimpin’ for the Shelter, for the sake of public health. We will still have Shrimpin’ for the Shelter tickets and table sponsorships available for purchase once we are able to reschedule the event.
At this time, we need the support of our local communities more than ever, particularly in the areas of fostering and adopting. As puppy and kitten season unfolds alongside the COVID-19 outbreak, shelters nationwide may experience decreased adoptions at the time when we need them the most. Our current adoption special decreases the adoption fee to $19 for all altered animals, with an additional $50 spay/neuter deposit for unaltered animals.
If you are unable to adopt at this time, please consider fostering with LCHS or with other shelters and/or rescues. Fostering saves lives, particularly during busy times with decreased adoptions. Two lives are saved for every animal that is fostered or adopted: the life of the animal that is brought into a foster home or forever home, and the life of another homeless animal who is given a spot at the shelter. We are immensely appreciative of everyone’s patience and understanding during this time.