Lee County has a new veterinarian for its Animal Services Department. Peter Davis, DVM, assumed the position in late December, according to Ria Brown, a spokeswoman for Animal Services. A plus for Lee County will be the extensive shelter medicine experience and proficiency in high volume spay/neuter surgeries that Davis brings to this position, she said.

After receiving his veterinary degree from Tuskegee University, School of Veterinary Medicine, in 1985, Davis practiced in Guyana where he ran his own small animal clinic as well as serving as a regional veterinarian for the Ministry of Agriculture. Since 2001 he has worked in Florida as a staff, contract, or relief veterinarian for West Palm Beach Animal Care and Control, the Peggy Adams Humane Society, SPCA of North Brevard, Weston Animal Hospital in Sunrise, and Safe Harbor Animal Clinic in Jupiter.

Davis holds memberships in the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, Brown said.

As staff veterinarian for Lee County Domestic Animal Services, Davis is the primary veterinarian for the department’s sterilization programs for shelter pets and pets of low-income owners, Brown said.

In addition, he oversees the vaccination, examination, and treatment of all pets entering the shelter, particularly sick and injured, and provides staff training related to animal handling, disease control, injury, illness detection, and treatment.Davis will also provide expert witness testimony in cases related to animal neglect and abuse and act as the liaison for the veterinary community and government agencies, Brown said.

“Lee County and the Animal Services’ staff welcome Dr. Davis and look forward to the innovative ideas that he will bring to the agency in providing greater care for the community’s pets and expanding sterilization programs to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia,” Brown said.