Lee County adopts updated animal‑control ordinance, launches 'Find My Pet' portal and offers free microchipping in December

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted Dec. 2 to repeal and replace Animal Control Ordinance 14‑22 and to launch a new community tool called the Find My Pet portal.

County attorney staff and Domestic Animal Services presented the ordinance changes and a live demonstration of the portal, which is designed as a community‑driven, GIS‑based platform where residents can post lost and found animals to increase reunification before animals enter the shelter. The county said each portal submission will be reviewed by shelter staff and that users will not need an account to post; staff also emphasized the portal is supplemental to the shelter’s internal lost‑pet listings and advised people to check both locations.

Key ordinance changes the board approved include a one‑day stray hold for unidentified cats (the county said this is an initial operational period and noted internal procedures can extend holds in particular cases), clarified language permitting law enforcement to take custody of animals found in distress, updated definitions of menacing behavior and new restrictions on sales and advertising for animals without a permit. Staff also described expanded inspection authority for certain animal facilities and an emphasis on microchipping (the county will provide free registered microchips for the month of December and continue microchip outreach).

Domestic Animal Services staff told commissioners the portal and microchip program are intended to reduce shelter intake and speed reunifications. "This tool is community driven and it allows pets to find their way home without ever having to enter the shelter," one staff member said.

The public hearing was long and sometimes emotional. Dozens of residents, rescue volunteers and veterinarians testified. Rescue groups and TNR (trap‑neuter‑return) advocates urged stronger protections for community cats, a longer hold period for unidentified and unmicrochipped cats, explicit exemptions or protections for caretakers of TNR colonies, mandatory microchipping and clearer humane‑care standards for sheltering and exercise.

Opponents and some volunteers raised constitutional and process concerns about expanded inspection authority for "animal facilities," warning that vague language could be misapplied to small rescue organizations. Several speakers asked the board to place specific protections for community cat caretakers and to keep key operational rules in the ordinance rather than moving them to internal guidelines.

County staff responded to many questions on the record. They confirmed the county will continue to enforce applicable state statutes in addition to the new ordinance language and said internal guidelines will be used to refine operational details; staff also said Sundays and county holidays are not counted as stray‑hold days for practical reconciliation with shelter operations. Commissioners asked staff to incorporate community feedback as feasible in future amendments, and several commissioners praised staff for the work of developing the portal and for outreach to animal‑welfare partners.

The ordinance passed after a motion and a second; one commissioner registered an objection but the motion carried. The board directed staff to continue public engagement and to return with clarifying materials on specific points raised by speakers, including TNR caretaker protections and shelter‑care standards.

The most immediate next step: the portal is live and county staff said microchipping appointments and walk‑in opportunities will be available across December. The board noted the ordinance remains a living document and can be revised after implementation feedback.