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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO INCORPORATE INTO THE ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT�S FISCAL YEAR 2017-18 FEE SCHEDULE A FEE WAIVER ALLOWING QUALIFYING VETERANS TO ADOPT AND SPAY/NEUTER A PET WITHOUT CHARGE; PROVIDING A DEFINITION OF ''QUALIFYING VETERAN'' FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BENEFIT IN MARKETING MATERIALS AND IDENTIFY ITS AVAILABILITY IN PRICE LISTS DISPLAYED TO THE PUBLIC

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WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the veteran population in Miami-Dade County was 60,168 in the years between 2009 and 2013; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Edward Creagan, an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic, speaking as to the health benefits of pet ownership, has commented that when patients advise his medical staff of their trip to an animal shelter to rescue an animal, �in effect, that dog or a cat really rescues� the patient; and
WHEREAS, while post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not unique to veterans, because of their increased exposure to traumatic situations, veterans comprise a disproportionate amount of the population living with PTSD; and
WHEREAS, statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicate that 11-20 percent of veterans that served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, 12 percent of veterans that served in Desert Storm, and 15 percent of veterans that served in the Vietnam War have PTSD, as compared to 7-8 percent of the general population; and
WHEREAS, researchers have begun to accumulate evidence that bonding with animals has desirable biological effects, such as elevating oxytocin levels which, in turn, and among other things, improves trust, the ability to interpret facial expressions, and assists with the overcoming of paranoia�all challenges for persons with PTSD; and
WHEREAS, an opportunity for mutual benefit as between the Animal Services Department and Miami-Dade County veterans exists, given the anticipated health benefits of pet ownership and the availability of adoptable animals at the Animal Services Department, along with the Animal Services Department�s spay/neuter program; and
WHEREAS, in order to facilitate veterans� access to the animals and services at the Animal Services Department, this Board desires to allow qualifying veterans to adopt and spay/neuter their pets at the Animal Services Department,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. The County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee is directed to incorporate into the Animal Services Department�s proposed Fiscal Year 2016-17 fee schedule a fee waiver allowing Qualifying Veterans to adopt and spay/neuter up to one pet per fiscal year from the Animal Services Department without charge.
Section 2. For the purpose of this resolution, a �Qualifying Veteran� is an individual who (1) resides in Miami-Dade County; (2) served in the U.S. Armed Forces (i.e., the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve); (3) was not punitively discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, in the case of enlisted personnel, or dismissed, in the case of commissioned officers; and (4) has no unresolved fines or violations with the Animal Services Department.
Section 3. The County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee is directed to include information concerning the benefit set forth in Section 1 of this Resolution in relevant marketing materials concerning adoption and/or spaying/neutering services by the Animal Services Department and to further list said benefit in any price lists displayed to the public.