Local Leaders Hold 'Homes For All Pets Summit'
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Local political leaders hosted a summit to discuss challenges and find creative new ways to continue working towards Miami-Dade County's no-kill goal and to find homes for all pets.
The 'Homes for All Pets Summit' was led by Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava and Mayor Carlos Gimenez at PortMiami with over 200 participants – including animal rescue and protection groups, community leaders, concerned citizens and elected officials.
"Five hundred animals are abandoned at the Animal Services Department every week. Much progress has been made; we have a terrific plan and we have made additional investments in programs and partnerships. But we cannot fully implement our plan without more volunteers, more partners, more funds for our programming We are here today to work together to find solutions," Levine Cava said during her opening remarks.
The leaders spoke about progress on animal welfare, the health and safety of animals in Miami-Dade and strategies to increase public awareness on this issue.
Dr. Julie Levy, Director of Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida was the keynote speaker.
"Miami-Dade has many innovative programs in place and is far ahead of many other metro areas in Florida, like fostering underage kittens and numerous partnerships with rescue and veterinary groups," Levy said. "However, intake has not declined and the community needs to find ways to tackle this issue through programs that make maximum use of limited resources and offer the most bang for your buck."
The ideas discussed at the summit will be consolidated and sent to the event attendees.
If you would like to help, the Animal Services Department offers several volunteering programs at www.miamidade.gov/animals.