Following a year of new construction and renovations, Lee County Domestic Animal Services (LCDAS) will celebrate the shelter’s grand reopening by offering half off the regular adoption fee during the entire month of May.

Special May events will kick-off with a “ribbon chewing ceremony” May 18 at 11 a.m. with Lee County commissioners marking the official opening of the agency’s new Spay and Neuter, Lost and Found Pets, and Adoption Centers. Guided shelter tours of the new facility will be available following the ceremony.

Continuing the festivities, the shelter also will host a May Madness Pet Adoption Day on May 21 when all pets may be adopted for only $25.

LCDAS invites the public to visit all the pets available for adoption and consider adding a new member to their family.

“Despite the economy, people are still adding new pets to their family yet the shelter has experienced a 20 percent decline in adoptions since January,” said Donna Ward, LCDAS director. “We’d like everyone to see the wonderful pets we have here at the shelter before purchasing a new dog or cat from a pet store,” she said.

May’s reduced adoption fees will still include the complete package of services consisting of sterilization, age appropriate vaccinations, county license, microchip ID, worming, flea treatment, a heartworm test for dogs, feline aids and leukemia test for cats, 10-day health guarantee, and a bag of Hill’s Science Diet dog or cat food. The adoption package is valued at more than $500, she said.

View the variety of pets waiting to be adopted at www.LeeLostPets.com or head to the shelter at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers next to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office off Six Mile Cypress Parkway. Adoption hours are Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For more information about pets for adoption you can also call (239) 533-7387. The website updates hourly so current information is always available. If you are inquiring about a pet you have seen online, you should have the animal ID number ready for faster assistance, Ward said.