Local veterans will receive help in caring for their pets thanks to a $10,000 grant awarded by the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) to the Miami-Dade County Animal Services (Animal Services) recently. MIAMI provided the grant through its participation in Florida Realtors’ 100 Years, 100 Families program, which supports local Realtor association charitable community efforts.
MIAMI worked with Animal Services to create a customized “Patriot Pets program.” Needy veterans with pets can now utilize Animal Services’ many programs, which include pet vaccinations, pet microchips, off-site donations, pet retention and transfer of dog ownership
“This grant money is going to go a long way to help South Florida veterans who do not have the resources to care for their pets properly,” said Coral Gables Realtor Christopher Zoller, the MIAMI chairman of the board.
MIAMI’s corporate board of directors collaborated and decided to benefit veterans and pets after it learned of Florida Realtors’ 100 Years, 100 Families program, which was launched in commemoration of Florida Realtors’ 100-year anniversary in 2016.
MIAMI awarded Animal Services the grant money in January. MIAMI recognized the grant during its 2017 Inaugural & Awards Celebration on Feb. 3 at Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood. MIAMI handed a large presentation check to Animals Services Grants Coordinator Sandy Acosta-Cox in front of its newly installed leadership.
Every year, Miami-Dade County Animal Services provides care and refuge for 28,000 to 30,000 unwanted dogs and cats. Every day, Animal Services staff and volunteers work diligently to find life-long homes for these abandoned animals by facilitating onsite adoptions, hosting off-site adoptions at events and locations throughout the community, and working collaboratively with over 100 rescue organizations and partners that have helped us meet our goal of a 90 percent save rate.
For more information, visit animals.miamidade.gov or call 3-1-1.
Photos courtesy Miami Association of Realtors
