Retired Veterinarian Reaches 10,000th Pet Sterilization in Lee County
Dr. Thomas Powell could have spent his retirement years in Southwest Florida enjoying the year-round great weather, playing golf, or maintaining his tan. Instead he continues to practice veterinary medicine and provides a vital service for Lee County reducing pet overpopulation through spaying and neutering. His personal goal was to perform 10,000 spay and neuter surgeries during his retirement years. He accomplished his goal in just over four years working three days a week and is still going strong at Lee County Domestic Animal Services Clinic.
“Dr. Powell is one of the most articulate and skilled veterinarians I’ve had the honor and pleasure to work with,” says Donna Ward, LCDAS Director. We are truly blessed to have him as part of our veterinary services team at Animal Services,” she adds.
Even during difficult economic conditions, animal intake has fallen from over 16,000 animals in 2006 to 10,000 animals in 2010. LCDAS attributes this sharp decline to the aggressive low-cost and no-cost spay/neuter programs the agency has offered over the past several years. Dr. Powell and the veterinary staff routinely perform more than 30 spay/neuter surgeries a day at the new LCDAS Spay/Neuter Clinic.
When asked if he is finally ready for retirement now that his goal has been met, Dr. Powell responded, I intend to continue providing high quality low cost spays and neuters for a few more years. That s a fortunate thing for the residents and animal of Lee County.
A graduate of Purdue University, Dr. Powell practiced private veterinary medicine in Illinois from 1964 until 2006 before retiring to Southwest Florida. Dr. Powell resides in North Fort Myers with his wife, Mary, and adopted shelter pets, Jody and Julie. They have a son, a daughter, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
For more information about low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter services offered through Lee County Domestic Animal Services please call (239) 533-9234 or email spay@leegov.com.
Source: Lee County Domestic Animal Services