Miami-Dade Animal Services (Animal Services) successfully reached its goal, achieving a combined save rate for cats and dogs of 90 percent in 2015!
In 2012, Animal Services adopted no kill policies as the guiding principle for providing care and refuge for the 28,000 to 30,000 unwanted dogs and cats typically received annually at the shelter. Since then, Animal Services’ save rate has grown at an unprecedented pace. The combined save rate for dogs and cats increased from 51 percent in 2011 to 90 percent in 2015.
Animal Services was able to achieve its 90 percent goal by implementing life-saving programs and services with a strong focus on adoptions, including an increase in off-site adoption events throughout the community.
Other important contributions to the save rate include the Trap-Neuter-Return program offered for community cats, low cost spay/neuter services, dedicated volunteer and foster care training and recruitment, pet retention counseling, improved intake vaccination protocols, on-staff supervisory and treatment veterinarians and transport to guaranteed adoption facilities. Animal Services also currently partners with over 100 local rescue organizations and offers funding to qualified rescue groups that take in at-risk shelter pets.
Animal Services’ efforts have earned recognition and grants from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA®) and works collaboratively with the Humane Society of Greater Miami and The Cat Network as part of the ASPCA® Community Partnership. Grants from the ASPCA ®, the Florida Animal Friends, the Petco Foundation, PetSmart Charities and other organizations have enabled Animal Services to offer income-qualified residents in Miami-Dade County free spay/neuter services for the duration of the grant funds.
In 2015, Animal Services was able to save 90 percent of the 28,000 to 30,000 dogs and cats abandoned every year at the shelter. This year Animal Services will relocate to a new building that is a model of best practices in animal sheltering. The new shelter location will enable Animal Services to continue the steadfast implementation of life-saving programs.
For more information visit the Miami-Dade Animal Services website.
Connect With Us Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
