They came by teams for the fun of competitive skateboarding, but the real winners were more than a dozen puppies that now have new homes.
Miami-Dade Animal Services’ staff members took back fewer canines than they came with after visiting families from throughout South Florida enjoyed time with the pooches during a day of family fun in a tented landscape at Westwind Lakes Park on Sept. 15.
More than 100 skateboarders participated for $3,000 in team prizes while their accompanying moms and dads roamed the shaded grounds at the third annual Skateboard Rodeo.
Others, some who even brought along their own family pooch, picked one or two of a sampling of some 30,000 abandoned animals the Animal Service shelter houses each year.
“Now, our own dog has company!” laughed Kim Swan of Palm Bay who shepherded a brood of six skateboarders and happily drove home with a black chihuahua. So did grandpa Luis Garcia of Doral who added a perky Jack Russel to his household.
“These great pets are just waiting for their chance to become part of a loving home,” said Alex Mu, director of the Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department.
“They’ll surely bring lots of happiness and love to any family.”
