STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

More

Share and Enjoy [?]

Become a volunteer team with your pet

The Center for Positive Aging at Florida Gulf Coast University offers a Delta Society Pet Partners Course from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 6 in the Garden Room of The Inn at Cypress Cove in Fort Myers for pet owners who wish to help others. Pet owners receive training and later pass an evaluation with their pets to become a Delta Society Certified Pet Partners team. As a team, the owner and pet visit hospitalized children, ill or lonely adults and work with people in rehabilitation. The cost of the course is $50, and includes a Pet Partners manual. For more information, call the Center for Positive Aging at (941) 883-2425.

Author hosts book signing

Carlene Fredericka Brennan, author of "The Hemingway Cats," will be signing copies of her book from 2 to 4 p.m. May 6 at the Barnes and Noble in Fort Myers. Visitors who bring a monetary or pet food donation for the Humane Society will receive a free autographed photo of the author and her six-toed cat, Bugsy. The Barnes and Noble is located at 13751 U.S. 41.

Humane Society events scheduled

The Humane Society of Collier County will partner with PetSmart for Spring National Adoption Weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at 2255 Pine Ridge Road. Adoptable pets will be available, and volunteers and staff will be on hand to answer any questions about pets and The Humane Society.

Representatives from other area animal welfare groups will also be there with adoptable pets to kick off "Be Kind to Animals Week," May 7 through 13. In recognition of "Be Kind..." week, the Humane Society is asking volunteers to donate to shelter pets by bringing in cat litter, laundry detergent, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and fabric softener sheets. Financial donations are always appreciated. For more information, call the Humane Society at 643-1555 or visit www.collierhumanesoc.org.

Lee Humane Society Doggie Wash slated

The Humane Society of Lee County will host the fifth annual Doggie Wash and Luau from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Waggin' Tails Dog Park and Rotary Park Environmental Center in Cape Coral. Fox-4 anchor Krista Fogelsong will be the host, and there will be dog bathing services, nail clipping and micro-chipping for a small donation. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Lee County.

Adopt a pet this Mother's Day

Lee County Animal Services will offer special adoption days for moms from May 6 through May 13. Dogs may be adopted for only $40, and cats are $25 (regularly $65 and $50). All adoptions include spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations appropriate for the pet's age, heartworm test for dogs six months and older, feline AIDS and leukemia test for cats, flea treatment, worming, and more. To see all pets up for adoption, visit www.leelostpets.com. Call 432-2083 for more information.

Pet boutique hosts events

Paws Claws and Tails will host a series of pet events beginning with Pet Intuitive Christene Reseigh from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18. A 20-minute session is $25 and reservations are required.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 19, Helen Wagoner will host a biofeedback evaluation for pets. And from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dr. Lori will administer affordable pet vaccinations, including shot packages, Revolution, HeartGuard and microchips. The boutique is located at 525 Bonita Beach Road at Windsor Place Plaza. For more information, call 498-1198.

Prevent dog bites this May

May 21 to 27 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Each year, more than 4 million Americans suffer dog bite injuries, mostly from dogs they know and interact with regularly. The number of dog bites increases from April through September, with peak bite incidents in July. For local information on dog bites prevention and information, visit www.leelostpets.com.

Collier Humane Society in need of 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 seeking 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 such as the Doggie Wash on May 13. The next volunteer orientations will be from 9 to 11 a.m. May 6 and 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.

Animal welfare award nominations sought in Collier

The Humane Society of Collier County is seeking nominations for the Walter Turken Award for Animal Welfare, to be presented at the Humane Society's annual Pet Lovers Ball next February. Nominees should be individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to provide comfort and care for animals in need, including private philanthropy, public activism, community awareness/education or individual heroism. Nominations must include complete personal contact information about the nominee, as well as the nominator's contact information. Nominations must be received by May 15, and can be sent to: The Humane Society of Collier County, Attn: Walter Turken Nominations, 370 Airport-Pulling Road North, Naples, FL 34104.

PETS OF THE WEEK

• MJ is a 5-month-old, neutered male, black Lab mix. He is loving, happy, and playful. He's also good with other pets and kids. Adoption fee is $75. To meet MJ, call 450-6301 or go to www.collierrescue.com.

• Tiger is a big 3-year-old, neutered male, gray tabby. He is also declawed. He has a nice soft coat and pretty eyes. Tiger will be an affectionate, loving member to add to your family. He is playful and sweet. Adoption fee is $55. To meet Tiger, call 450-6301 or go to www.collierrescue.com.

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.

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.