Grants Awarded to Help Targeted Spay & Neuter Programs
Thanks to grants from The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ®) and PetSmart Charities®, The Southeast Florida Spay/Neuter Coalition is receiving much-needed funding for costs associated with 4,600 targeted spay and neuter surgeries in an effort to reduce shelter intake and euthanasia of dogs and cats. After months of data research and GIS mapping based on pet surrender information, it was determined that the highest number of dogs surrendered to shelters in Miami came from an area in Unincorporated Miami-Dade County near the Crossroads. The highest number of cats surrendered to shelters came from an area in Hollywood. The Coalition is focusing their efforts on meeting with residents in both these areas to encourage pet owners to have their pets sterilized, vaccinated and micro-chipped to ultimately reduce the number of unwanted animals born and help the pets in the home live longer healthier lives.
“The ASPCA believes that collaboration between organizations is the key to ending animal homelessness and cruelty, which is why we are happy to provide The Southeast Florida Spay/Neuter Coalition with this grant,” said Julie Morris, Senior Vice President of Community Outreach for the ASPCA. “By targeting spay/neuter efforts to areas with the highest relinquishment, the Southeast Florida Spay Neuter Coalition is taking the right steps towards keeping animals in their homes and out of shelters.”
“Preventing the births of millions of puppies and kittens is key to ending the unnecessary euthanasia of pets in the U.S.,” said Steve Pawlowski, communications manager, PetSmart Charities, Inc. “Making affordable spay/neuter services available in communities across America is a major part of the solution.”
The six organizations that formed the Coalition are: Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department; Humane Society of Greater Miami; Broward County Animal Care & Adoption; Humane Society of Broward County; Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control; and Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. While each shelter is independent and not affiliated with one another, they all have come together to promote this important message. Pet overpopulation is something we can control, but it will take help from everyone to make a difference. For more information contact Rachel Bryan at [email protected] or 954-266-6876.
About PetSmart Charities®
Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities®, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of more than 5 million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about how PetSmart Charities is working toward its vision of a lifelong, loving home for every pet, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Each year, Animal Services receives over 30,000 pets. It is our goal to find loving homes for these shelter pets and to reunite them with their families. To adopt a pet, become a foster parent or a volunteer, please visit www.miamidade.gov/animals or call 3-1-1.