Lee County animal-control officer warns shelter strain, launches pet-food drive

Terry, the county animal-control officer, told the Lee County Public Safety Committee the shelter is repeatedly filling and staff are struggling to keep up with intake.

"We will obviously need to take them," Terry said of people who may have to decide whether to temporarily rehouse or surrender pets amid federal benefit interruptions. Terry said the office enforces local and state laws on animal care, investigates reports of strays and cruelty, and works with local shelters and rescues to maintain services.

To help households that may be forced to give up animals, Terry said staff ran a Facebook poll on what residents want most and that a community pet-food drive was the leading option. "We're here to take care of them and to help these people that are not getting help from the government," Terry said, urging donations.

Terry described current capacity and operations: nine to ten concrete indoor-outdoor kennels with additional freestanding 5-by-5 kennels and crates for overflow; staffing and food are the main daily expenses, and most food used now is donated. Terry estimated a bag of dog food "might be $20.25" and said staff wages (starting at $7.30) plus cleaning time factor into per-animal costs.

The department runs monthly low-cost vaccine clinics that have been full; Terry said the next clinic is scheduled for Dec. 10. He also reported that next year’s registration tags have arrived and distribution will begin in December.

Committee members asked follow-up questions about comfortable housing capacity and daily costs; Terry responded with the kennel counts and said overflow arrangements vary with dog size. The committee did not take formal action on the proposals and will consider donation logistics separately.