Animal Services Department surpasses the industry save rate benchmark achieving a 92.70% save-rate in 2023

Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) surpassed the 90% save rate benchmark for the ninth consecutive year, achieving a 92.70% overall save rate with 91.27% dog save rate and 93.08% cat save rate in 2023. Based on the Asilomar Accords’ industry standards, this distinguishes Animal Services as a nationally recognized lifesaving shelter. In 2023, approximately 36,000 animals came through Animal Services for different reasons; some may have been lost, abandoned, injured, ill, abused or a public safety concern. 

"This save rate demonstrates the commitment to our lifesaving mission and the dedication to the well-being of the animals in our care," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava. “Our Animal Services team shares in this unwavering passion and sets a standard for shelters across the nation.”

The 2023 calendar year was particularly challenging for the Animal Welfare industry across the country. In the midst of a national overpopulation crisis, shelters were fraught with overcrowding, decreased adoptions, and staffing challenges causing many agencies to struggle to achieve or maintain the industry benchmark.  Animal Services has maintained the over 90% save rate through life-saving programs, partnerships, and public awareness campaigns such as: 
·    Comprehensive adoption programs at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral 
·    Satellite Adoption Centers throughout the county
·    Humanely managing the free roaming community cat population through the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) program
·    Affordable spay/neuter services for owned pets
·    Partnerships with rescue group for pet transfers
·    Proactive pet retention programs including surrender prevention
·    Medical and behavioral programs
·    Pet Fostering program
·    Volunteering program
·    Mobile offsite community pet adoptions, spay/neuter events and wellness services
·    Virtual Adoption Showcase LIVE Streaming
·    Kitten Cuddlers neonate kittens’ program

Animal Services first surpassed the 90% save rate in 2015 and has maintained this milestone every year thereafter. Since the beginning of Animal Services’ journey to become a lifesaving shelter more than 316,000 cats and dogs have been saved.

"Caring for our animals with compassion and dignity is our top priority and what sustains a high save rate" said Annette Jose, Director of Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department. "Through our comprehensive programs and dedicated staff, we strive to ensure that every animal receives the care and attention they deserve."

It is important to understand that there are circumstances where humane euthanasia is the only appropriate measure.  Humane euthanasia is reserved for animals that have health issues too severe to treat and/or behavioral conditions that have little to no chance of rehabilitation, presenting a threat to public safety.  In these cases, the most compassionate option is to humanely euthanize the animal. No healthy or treatable animals are euthanized even when the shelter is full.

For more information about programs serving Miami-Dade County’s pets and pet owners at Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department visit www.miamidade.gov/animals, call 311, or follow Animal Services on social media @adoptmiamipets.

About Miami-Dade County Animal Services
Every year Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) takes in approximately 30,000 to 36,000 lost, abandoned, injured, ill, or abused dogs and cats. Every day, Animal Services staff works diligently to find life-long homes for these abandoned animals by facilitating onsite adoptions, hosting offsite adoptions at events and locations throughout the community, and working collaboratively with rescue organizations, volunteers and adoption partners.