Death by the Pound

Certainly animal services is far from being a dog-and-cat utopia where domesticated creatures are afforded the same care as recovering alcoholics or drug addicts, but the burden of responsibility also lies with the general public. Of the 35,000 animals brought to the shelter last year, only 592 were surrendered by their owners, Pizano points out. "The rest were strays picked up on the street," she says. "The majority were not spayed or neutered. The majority had no identification. If they did, the owner's telephone number was disconnected or did not have a forwarding address."

The Humane Society's Hoffman notes Miami-Dade has a severe animal overpopulation. "We can attest to the amount of animals abandoned at our facility on a daily basis," Hoffman says. "Stray animals are the result of people not caring about their pets." Last year the Humane Society of Greater Miami took in approximately 2100 animals.

Outraged by Miami-Dade Countys treatment of animals? Call Sara Pizano, animal services director, 305-884-1101, ext. 227; County Manager George Burgess, 305-375-5311; Mayor Carlos Alvarez, 305-375-5071; County Commission Chairman Joe Martinez, 305-375-5511.

If you would like to save a dog or cat from animal services, contact 305-884-1101. Adoption of dogs costs between $53.35 and $60.25. If you would like to adopt a cat, the cost is between $28.25 and $35.25. The fee includes sterilization, rabies vaccination, deworming, licenses, a microchip, heartworm tests for dogs, and feline leukemia vaccination for cats. Animal services also offers affordable vaccination and free sterilization to pets of Miami-Dade residents. For more information, visit www.miamidade.gov/animals.