Things ARFF liked this week
January 22nd, 2010 by admin
2009 was a tough year for animal shelters in Florida. Shelters struggled with an increase in abandoned and surrendered animals at the same time as their budgets were cut. But there was some good news. According to an article in Wednesday’s Miami Herald, many shelters reported an increase in adoptions. Broward County Animal Care and Regulation reported that 3,267 animals were adopted in 2009, up from 3,050 in 2008. Miami-Dade Animal Services reported 768 adoptions in the month of December alone, which was a record for the shelter. The Humane Society of Greater Miami and the Humane Society of Broward County also reported increases in adoptions in 2009. Dr. Sara Pizano, director of Miami-Dade’s Animal Services Department, suggested that because of the poor economy people were choosing to adopt instead of purchasing a pricey dog or cat from a pet store. Whatever the reason, it’s good news!
This week, the St. Lucie News Tribune reported that St. Lucie County will be getting its first “pet friendly” hurricane shelter. The City of Port St. Lucie has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to upgrade the Ravenswood Community Center on Prima Vista Boulevard. When finished in the summer of 2011, the center will be able to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and will provide emergency shelter for at least 100 animals and their owners.
Walton County, in Florida’s Panhandle, has opened its first animal shelter. For years, dogs and cats picked up by animal control in the county had to be taken to a shelter in a neighboring county. That wasted time and money, and made it difficult for residents to recover lost animals or to adopt new companions. Within a week the new shelter has become home to seventy-five dogs and cats, and the shelter made its first adoption. The new shelter also has a veternarian on site to spay and neuter animals. Animal Control Officer Larry Hester told WJHG-TV Ch. 7 that the new shelter will save the lives of hundreds of dogs and cats, “Definitely gonna make it easier for them to be adopted out, finding homes for them-just taking care of them.” If you are interested in adopting an animal from the new Walton County Shelter, call (850) 892-8758.
Earlier this month, the City of Seminole city council unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting dogs within the city limits from being tied up outdoors unless a guardian is outside along with the dog (read our earlier post about the vote here). But councilmembers didn’t stop there. City staff were instructed to e-mail a letter to all Florida governments urging them to follow Seminole’s lead. According to an article in Wednesday’s St. Petersburg Times, the City Manager has already received requests for more information about the ordinance from three cities (Gulfport, Largo and Clearwater) and from Lee and Pinellas counties! See our earlier post for details on how to contact the City Council and thank them for their proactive steps on behalf of dogs in Florida.