No room at Animal Services shelters for more dogs or cats

Miami-Dade County Animal Services is facing a housing crisis, caring for more than twice its 400-animal capacity, and has suspended accepting cats and dogs until further notice. It joins overcrowded shelters across the nation facing a deluge of “pandemic pets,” animals adopted during the days of covid and no longer wanted.

The shelter also is waiving adoption fees through Dec. 31 for dogs and cats four months and older during its annual “Home for the Holidays” campaign. All adoptions include the initial set of age-appropriate vaccines, microchip, deworming, and spay/neuter surgery. The shelter currently is caring for about 800 dogs and 100 cats.

Licensing fees are $30 for dogs ($85 for puppies) and $35 for kittens.

“To ensure optimal care for the existing 800 dogs and to address the needs of animals suffering from injury, abuse, or neglect, Animal Services will cease accepting pet surrenders or healthy stray animals,” said Annette Jose, director for Miami-Dade County Animal Services.

“The national overpopulation situation is dire, and unfortunately, our shelter is not an exception. We ask the community to join us in managing this crisis by providing caring homes for our pets. If you’ve been contemplating adoption, now is the time. Additionally, if you can offer temporary shelter as a foster family, we urge you to step forward today.”

The shelter mall is at 3599 NW 79th Ave. in Doral. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends.

Each year, animal services cares for some 29,000 lost and abandoned dogs and cats. While the center has suspended intake services, it will remain accessible to the public for all other services, including basic veterinary care, adoptions, lost and found, and spay/neuter services. Animal welfare officers will continue responding to community calls concerning public safety, injured animals, and animal abuse concerns.

The department said this emergency measure will remain in effect until the animal population does not exceed the shelter’s optimal capacity. The center maintains a “no-kill” policy.