Miami-Dade Animal Services encourages the community to adopt during PetSmart Charities 30th anniversary National Adoption Week

It’s summer, a season when scores of vulnerable kittens and lost and abandoned dogs in need of caring families to love flood into already overcrowded shelters. Miami-Dade County Animal Services (Animal Services) is proud to partner with PetSmart Charities® to bring adoptable pets to PetSmart Aventura, and PetSmart Flagler in support of the 30th Anniversary National Adoption Week, taking place July 15 – 21, 2024.

PetSmart Charities’ National Adoption Week in July coincides with the summer peak population season, referring to the annual boom of cats, kittens, dogs and puppies that enter shelters across the country. During this in-store pet adoption event, Animal Services invites all pet-lovers to come by and meet adoptable shelter pets and also spread the word in support of finding families for as many pets as possible.  

“National Adoption Week provides a vital opportunity for our community to step up and help alleviate the overpopulation crisis in our shelters. By adopting a pet, you are not only giving an animal a second chance but also opening up space for another animal in need. Your support can make a tremendous difference,” said Director Annette Jose of Miami-Dade County Animal Services.

During National Adoption Week, potential pet parents can interact with adoptable pets from local animal welfare organizations at PetSmart stores across the country. With staff and volunteers on hand to help potential adopters, visitors can spend time with the pets available for adoption.

Animal Services is currently caring for approximately 650 dogs, mostly medium and large sized dogs, and 130 cats in need of loving homes. To view all available pets for adoption, please visit MiamiDade.gov/animals. 

“For 30 years now, PetSmart Charities and local partners have been helping pets find people to love,” said Heidi Marston, Director of Pet Placement Initiatives at PetSmart Charities. “Shelters across the country are full, and pets of all ages, breeds and temperaments are looking for their families. This National Adoption Week in Miami, we are putting a special focus on our large and medium k-9 friends, as well as the scores of kittens entering shelters & rescues in need of adoption – and we can’t do it without your support! If you have room in your heart and home, please consider adopting or fostering a shelter pet!”  

WHEN/WHERE: 
Adoptable pets will be available at the following times and PetSmart locations:

PetSmart Aventura
21095 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL 33180 
Monday-Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

PetSmart Flagler
8241 W. Flagler Street, Ste 101, Miami, FL 33144
Monday-Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Note to Editors: Photos and b-roll footage of adoptable pets are available upon request. 

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.

About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps up to 400,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. Our grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter and emergency relief. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart® stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.