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Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) and Friends of Miami Animals Foundation Inc. (FoMA) are partnering to launch Wellness of Wheels (WOW), a mobile pet veterinary service, through FoMA’s donation of a Mobile Wellness Unit and generous $500,000 contribution.
With the new Mobile Wellness Unit, Animal Services and FoMA aim to improve the wellbeing of Miami-Dade County pets in need of wellness services at a time when many pet parents are juggling finances to meet their basic necessities.
Pets will receive free medical care through the WOW unit including physical exams, wellness vaccines and boosters, heartworm and fecal parasite screening, deworming, heartworm and flea/tick prevention, ear cleaning, nail trimming and referrals for spay/neuter surgery or other needed medical services. FoMA will pay for one year of staffing, equipment and supplies, and Animal Services will operate the WOW unit for two additional years.
“We’re grateful for this wonderful gift from Friends of Miami Animals to expand veterinary care into underserved communities, supporting Miami-Dade families and keeping our pets healthy,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
The WOW unit will be rolling into selected communities, including Miami Gardens, Little Havana, Liberty City, Homestead, and the Redlands. Miami-Dade County pet owners will be able either walk-in or schedule appointments for their pets by contacting 311.
“Thanks to FoMA, the donated vehicle and funds will help us to provide vital veterinary care to communities that are financially struggling to keep their pets healthy,” said Alex Muñoz, Animal Services director. “Our goal is to improve pet health, engage pet owners and help pets.”
“FoMA exists to save and improve the lives of homeless pets in Miami-Dade County,” said Yolanda Berkowitz, FoMA founder and president. “The best way we can do that is to prevent pets from becoming homeless in the first place. Medical concerns are among the leading reasons that owners surrender or abandon their pets, and if we can instead help keep those animals in forever families that love them by supporting Animal Services in this endeavor — that is absolutely achieving our mission. By providing free services for families who are struggling to afford veterinary care through the mobile wellness unit, we are closing the gap for at-risk pets.”
The WOW is one of several initiatives Animal Services and FoMA have partnered on to improve the welfare of pets in Miami-Dade County. For more information about programs serving Miami-Dade County’s pets and pet owners at Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department visit www.miamidade.gov/animals, call 311, or follow Animal Services on social media @adoptmiamipets.
