(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Miami-Dade Animal Services (ASD) received a call for help from the Florida State Animal Response Coalition (SARC) to assist with the search and rescue teams in the field after the destructive tornadoes in Alabama.  

Investigator Gary Boyett, Animal Control Officer Sam Gafcovich and Animal Control Officer Yusniel Yumar have voluntarily deployed to Alabama to assist the Humane Society of the United States with animal related search and recovery efforts in the areas devastated by the recent tornadic activity. The ASD rescue team departed Miami this morning at 7:00 am and will return on Sunday, May 8th, 2011.

Animal Services is responsible for enforcing Chapter 5 of the Miami-Dade County Code, 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, Animal Services accepts all dogs and cats. Each year, the shelter impounds 36,000 pets.  The goal at Animal Services is to reunite lost pets with their families or find life-long homes for as many animals as possible. 
Related links or call 311.