TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO REVIEW REAL PROPERTY OWNED AND LEASED BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, DETERMINE IF ANY LAND CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE SOUTH FLORIDA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TO FACILITATE THE CARE OF ABANDONED, NEGLECTED, AND ABUSED HORSES AND LARGE ANIMALS, AND REPORT BACK TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN 60 DAYS

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WHEREAS, the State of Florida has an incredibly large horse population of over half a million, which ranks as the third largest in the United States; and
WHEREAS, some of these horses are regrettably subject to heinous acts of neglect, abuse, abandonment, or slaughter; and
WHEREAS, there is a definitive need in Miami-Dade County for services to protect and rehabilitate these animals; and
WHEREAS, the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SFSPCA) is a non-profit organization that has served the community in this endeavor since 1992 by organizing the rescue of over 1,700 horses and livestock animals, providing shelter, food, veterinary care, training, and rehabilitation to animals in their care, and attempting to secure adoptive homes, when appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the SFSPCA also performs a valuable public service by moving large stray animals to their facility and away from public streets and highways where the animals could endanger the lives of citizens; and
WHEREAS, the SFSPCA is presently partnered with Miami-Dade County to handle the transport, impound, and care of large animals in the County that are victims of abuse and neglect, thereby allowing the County to comply with its obligations under Florida Statutes ���588.21 and 588.22 in an economically efficient manner that ensures considerable savings to Miami-Dade taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, these difficult economic times have diminished the budgets for animal rescue organizations across the board, while simultaneously creating a greater need for these services as more horses and large animals are abandoned or neglected by owners facing financial hardship; and
WHEREAS, the SFSPCA presently faces the daunting task of performing this valuable service while having rising expenses that exceed their diminishing funds; and
WHEREAS, the County incurs maintenance costs on property it owns but does not occupy or use for County purposes; and
WHEREAS, the County could reduce some of these maintenance costs by conveying or leasing these properties to non-profit organizations, like the SFSPCA, that need operating space to provide much-needed services; and
WHEREAS, the SFSPCA could potentially reduce their operating budgets or increase their level of service by receiving or leasing space from the County at a nominal or reduced rate; and
WHEREAS, Florida Statues ��125.38 provides a mechanism by which County-owned property may be conveyed or leased to non-profit organization at a nominal or reduced rate; and
WHEREAS, if any County land were found to be available for these purposes, the SFSPCA could then apply to the Board of County Commissioner for conveyance or lease of such property pursuant to Florida Statutes ��125.38,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. The County Mayor or Mayor�s designee is hereby directed to review real property owned or leased by Miami-Dade County.
Section 2. The County Mayor or Mayor�s designee is directed to determine if any land can be made available to the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to facilitate the care of abandoned, neglected, and abused horses and large animals, .
Section 3. The County Mayor or Mayor�s designee is directed to report back to the Board of County Commissioners within sixty (60) days with the results of that review.