Miami-Dade Animal Services to host “Save Charlie Day” press conference

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Board of County Commission Vice Chairman Kionne L. McGhee, and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Juan Carlos “JC” Bermudez, will hold a press conference on Friday, December 12, at 11 a.m. at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral to commemorate “Save Charlie Day.”

Save Charlie Day, established through the Save Charlie Act, recognizes December 15th as a key moment in Miami-Dade County’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare. This year’s campaign, taking place December 8–15, highlights the County’s continued efforts to elevate animal protection, responsible pet ownership, and support for shelter pets.

As part of the Save Charlie Day campaign, adoption fees will be waived for dogs four months and older from December 13–15. Miami-Dade Animal Services encourages the community to visit the Pet Adoption and Protection Center or explore adoptable pets online and help provide deserving animals with a loving home.

About Miami-Dade County Animal Services  
Each year, Miami-Dade County Animal Services provides care and refuge to approximately 15,000 lost, abandoned, injured, ill, or abused dogs and cats and delivers vaccination and sterilization services to nearly 20,000 free-roaming community cats. The department works daily to find lifelong homes for shelter pets through onsite adoptions, offsite adoption events, rescue partnerships, volunteer engagement, and community programs. For more information, visit miamidade.gov/animals or follow @adoptmiamipets on social media.

About Save Charlie Day
Sponsored by Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee and unanimously approved by the Board of County Commissioners in 2021, the Save Charlie Act establishes an annual campaign emphasizing the importance of animal protection and care in Miami-Dade County. The legislation designates December 15 as Save Charlie Day, highlighting the County’s lifesaving mission and its commitment to maintaining a 90 percent or greater save rate—a milestone first achieved in 2015 and upheld every year since. The Act also limits the use of euthanasia to cases involving irremediable suffering or when an animal poses a danger to the public with a poor prognosis for rehabilitation.