Miami-Dade County Animal Services encourages routine vaccination of pets to avoid the spread of infectious disease
(MIAMI, OCTOBER 17, 2014) – Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (ASD) is urging pet owners to follow a routine vaccination schedule to protect the health of their pets. Unvaccinated pets are at serious risk for contracting infectious diseases through contact with dogs, cats and wildlife. Pets can be infected by direct contact with animals or through environmental exposure to areas that infected animals have frequented.
ASD continually monitors the health of the shelter population. Although there has not been an increase in the number of infectious disease cases within the shelter, cases of distemper and other treatable diseases are regularly observed. The shelter proactively conducts random sampling of testing for disease management. Fewer cases of distemper have been observed since 2012. This proactive testing has allowed ASD to address the small number of recent cases. Anyone with concerns about their pet should contact their veterinarian or ASD.
“We encourage all pet owners to vaccinate their pets,” said Alex Muñoz, Director, Animal Services Department. “Routine vaccination is essential to protect the health of our community’s pets and ASD offers an affordable way to do this.”
Veterinary services offered by ASD
Well-Care packages for dogs:
Option 1: Vaccine Package (Rabies, Bordetella, and DHPP vaccines): $35
Option 2: Full Service Package (Rabies, Bordetella, DHPP, and Microchip): $50
Option 3: Special Service Package (Rabies, Bordetella, DHPP vaccines, Microchip and Spay/Neuter Surgery) $80
Well-Care packages for low-income* dog owners (to be eligible must provide proof of federal assistance):
Option 1: Vaccine Package ( Rabies, Bordetella, and DHPP vaccines): $25
Option 2: Full Service Package (Rabies, Bordetella, DHPP, and Microchip): $40
Option 3: Special Service Package (Rabies, Bordetella, DHPP vaccines, Microchip, and Spay/Neuter Surgery) $70
*Low income owner is a person receiving public assistance under one or more of the following programs:
- Food Stamps: Must provide current eligibility letter; card is not accepted
- Medicaid: Must provide current eligibility letter; card is not accepted
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Must provide current eligibility letter
- Temporary Assistance for Needed Families (TANF): Must provide current eligibility letter
Well-Care Vaccine Packages for cat owners:
Option 1: Vaccine Package (Rabies and FRCPC vaccines): $20
Option 2: Full Service Package (Rabies, FRCPC vaccines, and Microchip) $35
Option 3: Special Service Package (Rabies, FRCPC vaccines, Microchip, and Spay/Neuter Surgery): $50
If interested in Option 3, which includes sterilization, please contact 3-1-1 for surgical appointment.
For more information on the reduced rates and other services call 3-1-1 or visit www.miamidade.gov/animals
Miami-Dade County Animal Services
Unlike limited admission facilities, Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department takes in all abandoned pets to its shelter providing care and refuge for approximately 500 pets weekly, over 27,000 per year. Every day, Animal Services staff and volunteers work diligently to find life-long homes for these abandoned animals by facilitating on-site 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.