Miami-Dade County Animal Services awarded grant from Florida Animal Friends to sponsor free spay and neuter surgeries
(MIAMI, September 30, 2014) – Miami-Dade County Animal Services (Animal Services) was awarded a $25,000 grant from Florida Animal Friends to offer qualified residents free spay and neuter services for cats and dogs for a limited time. The free surgeries will be available until the funds are exhausted.
The grant will enable Animal Services to spay or neuter approximately 700 dogs and 200 cats free of charge for Miami-Dade County pet owners who meet the eligibility requirements. Eligible residents include those on government assistance such as food stamps, Medicaid or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
To qualify, a card or letter showing proof of eligibility must be issued in the pet owner’s name and presented at the time of surgery. Spay or neuter surgeries are by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled online at miamidade.gov/animals or by calling 3-1-1. Pets without a current rabies vaccine will be vaccinated at the time of surgery at no fee. The licensing fee of $5.00 for dogs will still apply and will be required at the time of surgery for dogs not currently licensed (must provide letter of eligibility.) There is no limit to the number of pets per household that may be presented for surgery.
''This grant allows us to help pet owners who want to do the right thing and sterilize their pets, but haven’t been able to do so due to financial hardship,'' said Alex Muñoz, Director or Animal Services. ''I can’t stress enough how important spaying and neutering is to our no-kill effort, and we want to help everyone in our community be a part of that success.''
The grant is paid for from sales of the Florida Animal Friend specialty license plate. The plate costs an extra $25, all of which goes to Florida Animal Friend. The purchase and annual renewal of each license plate funds spay and neuter programs with the goal of increasing the number of alteration surgeries conducted at non-profit and municipal agencies across Florida. An increase in the number of these surgeries greatly reduces pet overpopulation and ultimately saves the lives of countless homeless cats and dogs.
To find out how to purchase the Florida Animal Friend specialty license plate visit http://floridaanimalfriend.org.
For more information call 3-1-1 or visit animals.miamidade.gov
Miami-Dade County Animal Services
Every year Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) provides care and refuge for over 27,000 unwanted dogs and cats. Every day, Animal Services staff and volunteers work diligently to find life-long homes for these abandoned animals by facilitating onsite adoptions, hosting off-site adoption at events and locations throughout the community, and working collaboratively with over 70 rescue organizations who share in our goal of a No Kill Miami-Dade County.