Primary Responsibility
Animal Services is primarily charged with the responsibility of enforcing Chapter 5 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, as well as Florida Statute 828, which deals primarily with animal cruelty issues. Unlike private shelters that have limitations on the number of pets they accept, we accept all animals. At Animal Services, none are turned away and each year the shelter impounds more than 37,000 dogs and cats. Our goal is to reunite lost pets with their owners and find life-long homes for as many animals as possible while providing proper care for them while they're at the shelter.
History
Animal Services was originally a part of the Dade County Public Safety Department, and was later designated as the Animal Care and Control Division under the Public Works Department.
In 2001, the Miami-Dade Police Department took over the operation, and on October 1, 2005, the Animal Services Department (ASD) was created as a stand-alone entity in an effort to provide focused care for the County’s animal population. By becoming an independent entity, the Animal Services Department will be able to concentrate its resources on its core mission of caring for the animals in its custody. ASD receives approximately 22 percent of its budget from the County’s General Operating Fund, while the remaining 78 percent is derived through dog license tag sales, shelter fees, enforcement fines, private grants, and donations.
About Our Director
Dr. Sara Pizano, a veterinarian, has been director of Animal Services since June 2005. In October 2005, Animal Services became an independent department answering directly to the County Manager.
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