Call 3-1-1 to report a stray dog. Stray dogs can be brought to the Miami-Dade Animal Services Shelter by good samaritans. Due to the large volume of calls received, if the Animal Services officers cannot respond to the call within 3 days, the service request will be closed.

Dog traps are delivered free of charge by the Animal Services Department when an animal control officer is unable to capture a stray dog. Residents who need a trapped dog to be picked up can call 3-1-1.

By law, stray dogs over 6 months of age must be held for 5 days in order to give owners a chance to claim their pets. If a dog is healthy and not aggressive, it will be placed for adoption. If the dog is injured or ill, it will receive basic medical care or may be sent to a rescue group to recuperate and be adopted. In cases where the animal is suffering, euthanasia may be necessary. There is however, a 24-hour stray hold for puppies less than 6 months of age.

No time limit is placed on dogs eligible for adoption. In a case where the dog is not eligible for adoption and no rescue group takes it, it would be euthanized soon after the 5 days. Animals may be euthanized because of ill health, temperament or lack of space.

When a pet is surrendered to the shelter by the owner, he/she gives up all rights to the surrendered pet. The pet may be adopted, sent to a rescue group or euthanized the same day. If you want to know if the pet you surrendered was adopted, you can call 3-1-1 to find out. However, you will need the pet's identification number in order to identify your pet and its status.