Week of Wednesday, August 9, 2023 n Page 18 fortmyersbeachtalk.com Fort Myers Beach Bulletin
Clear The Shelters Low-cost pet adoption initiative under way By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
Now might be the perfect time to add a new four-legged friend to the family, as local shelters are taking part in a nationwide campaign to help animals find new homes. Throughout the month of August, NBCUniversal Local’s nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign, “Clear The Shelters,” will return for its ninth consecutive year. As part of the initiative, Lee County Domestic Animal Services, NBC, and Telemundo are partnering to promote pet adoption. From Aug.1 through 25, all dog adoptions will be reduced to just $20 and cats/kitten adoptions to $10 with an approved application. The month-long event will culminate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 26, with the waived adoption event at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers. “The marketing involved with Clear The Shelters helps get the word out about the benefits of adoption versus buying and also the importance of helping shelter pets,” said spokeswoman for Lee County Domestic Animal Services Karen Frick. “It also increases traffic into our facility and drives our adoption rate up not only for the day of our event, but the entire month. LCDAS currently has more than 80 dogs and 60 cats/kittens in its care, with more returning from foster care each day. Frick said this number changes daily as does the intake rate. With Hurricane Ian having displaced so many pets from their families for a multitude of reasons, Clear The Shelters helps those that have been thinking about adding an addition to their family save money. “Now is the perfect time to adopt and give a possibly displaced pet a new home,” Frick said. “Our adoption floor has seen a steady increase in pets over the past six months and many have been obviously well cared for and we would love for them to go back into a loving home as soon as possible.” Of course, with a new pup or cat comes new responsibilities. “We encourage prospective pet adopters to do some
research ahead of adopting,” Frick said. “For example, what type of pet will fit into your family and lifestyle? Is one breed a better fit, or a certain age or activity level?” Since its inception in 2015, Clear The Shelters has helped more than 860,000 pets find new homes. In 2022, the campaign established a new single-year record with more than 161,000 adoptions, while also raising more than $540,000. Nearly 1,400 animal shelters and rescues in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam participated in last year’s efforts. “We are proud that Clear The Shelters supports the many outstanding shelters and rescues in our communities that perform the vital work of caring for vulnerable animals, so we are very excited for the campaign’s return this August to help them find new homes for animals in need and raise more money to fund their efforts,” said Meredith McGinn, NBCUniversal Local’s executive vice president of Diginets & Original Production, in a release. “We are so thankful for our many generous supporters and partners, including our employees, participating shelters, affiliate stations and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, who enable Clear The Shelters to make such a meaningful impact each year.” Another local shelter taking part in Clear The Shelters, as it has over the past six years, is Gulf Coast Humane Society. “It has been a wonderful experience with dual purposes in helping as a fundraiser and as an adoption campaign,” said GCHS spokesperson Brian Wierima. Currently, GCHS has 70-plus dogs and 80-plus cats in its care. Wierima said not all are up for adoption, but will be eventually. The impacts of Hurricane Ian are still being felt for pets, with Wierima saying, “Since the hurricane, adoption numbers have been down and owner surrenders up. With one adoption, forever families can make an impact on numerous shelter animals, since it opens up kennel space and GCHS can take in more rescues.” For more information on Clear The Shelters or to donate, visit www.clearthesheltersfund.org. Adoptable pets may be found at leegov.com/animalservices/adopt /search and gulfcoasthumanesociety.org.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers one-day boating safety class Aug. 19 Boating enthusiasts seeking to obtain the state boating safety certificate are encouraged to enroll in a one-day responsible boating class on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The course will be held at the Pine Ridge Community Center, at 15699 Pine Ridge Road, in Fort Myers, next to the fire station and across from the tax collector’s office. Completion of the course will make participants eligible for the state boating certificate. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary offers the one-day program every third Saturday of the month. Greg Masonick, the Flotilla Commander of Fort Myers Beach Flotilla 91, stresses the importance of education and awareness of boating hazards. Masonick said, "Attending an in-person class is an excellent opportunity for students to interact, share perspectives, and gain local knowledge. Participants learn about the importance of life jackets, risk reduction, preparedness, and exercising sound judgment." According to Florida law, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, who plans to operate a boat in Florida waters with an engine of 10 horsepower or more must complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Florida boating safety ID card. This card certifies that the person has completed the required boating safety course, but it is not a boating license. The one-day class costs $45 per person and includes study materials. Mandatory registration is required and may be completed at www.Aux91FMB.org or by calling 239-690-6780, option 1. Boating is a popular recreational activity in Southwest Florida, but it can also be dangerous for the unprepared or uninformed. Human error and poor decision-making can increase the risk of accidents. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, statewide in 2022, there were 735 reportable recreational boating accidents resulting in 67 fatalities. For additional information about boating safety classes or registration for a class, contact Kevin McTaggart, Public Education Officer, cgaux91education@ gmail.com, at 239-690-6780, option 1, or www.Aux91FMB.org/Safeboating.
Lee County to host Florida-Friendly and Native Plant Swap & Seed Exchange Aug. 19 Lee County Parks & Recreation will host a Florida-Friendly and Native Plant Swap & Seed Exchange from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Karl Drews Community Center, 18412 Lee Road, Fort Myers. Participants can expect a morning of
plant-related educational opportunities with fellow plant enthusiasts. The event features a Plant Swap & Seed Exchange, the UF/IFAS Master Gardener Help Desk, a Native Plant Sale , local nurseries, consultation firms and more. To participate, bring one or more clear-
ly labeled healthy plants or seeds. Plant species listed by Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, Federal Noxious Weed or USDA Invasive Species will not be permitted. To RSVP and reserve a table, call 239533-1470 or email TRossi@leegov.com. For more about Lee County Parks and
Rec locations, amenities and events, visit www.leeparks.org, call 239-533-7275, email leeparks@leegov.com or visit leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram.