The first “Dogs of Summer Adoption & Training Expo” was hosted at Coral Reef Park on Saturday, July 16, by the Village of Palmetto Bay, Town of Cutler Bay, Village of Pinecrest and Miami-Dade County’s Animal Services.
The special event allowed interested families to adopt pets in need of a loving home and also offered free training workshops by local experts, complimentary microchipping, free giveaways courtesy of Pet Supermarkets, activities, dog washing, food trucks, and more.
A total of 25 pets were microchipped. Four puppies, one adult dog and one cat were adopted, two spay/neuter appointments were made, and two applications were submitted to foster dogs from the Miami-Dade Animal Shelter.
Nick Perez-Cubas of Palmetto Bay staff was pleased with the outcome.
“This was a great collaborative effort from all involved to make this event a success,” Perez-Cubas said. “It was very exciting to see the community come together for such a worthy cause and we’re happy that we could assist these animals in finding happy forever homes.”
Mayor Eugene Flinn of Palmetto Bay brought his own dog, Timmy, to the event. Timmy was adopted from Animal Services in June 2013.
“I’m so glad that Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, and Cutler Bay, along with [Miami-Dade] Commissioner Levine Cava, came together dand had a dog-on good time,” Mayor Flinn said.
Cutler Bay Mayor Peggy Bell thought it was a successful gathering.
“What a wonderful event; now so many beautiful puppies and dogs have new homes!” Mayor Bell said. “My family adopted our new puppy recently and we have been taking neighborhood cats in for free neutering and spaying, as well as free inoculations. We are happy to join Miami Dade County Animal Services and our neighboring municipalities in these events. We are all determined to find homes for these wonderful pets and to encourage residents to spay and neuter their pets to prevent overpopulation.”
Besides the pet-related activities there was music, a raffle and a demonstration from the Miami-Dade Police Department K9- unit. Thunder Country 100.3 broadcast it live, and Village of Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner and County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava attended as well as many area residents.
“Dogs of Summer was an uplifting and fun event for pet lovers of all ages,” said Commissioner Levine Cava. “It was a joy to see so many out with their dogs, and to have so many pets microchipped and adopted. This was a great ‘tri-city’ event with Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay, and we thank all three for their great support.”
For information regarding adopting a pet from Miami-Dade County Animal Services visit the website at www.miamidade.gov/animals or contact the Pet Adoption and Protection Center at 305-884-1101.
