A Miami-Dade animal shelter in Medley is at the center of a protest by pet lovers following reports that dogs were suffering from heat and not treated for deadly diseases while in the care of officials.
Earlier this month, a group of people stood outside the Miami-Dade Animal Services Department, 7401 N.W. 74 St, denouncing the living conditions including overcrowding, holding up placards and “chanting dog abusers.”
Emily Vargars told the Gazette she was among the demonstrators after she learned from a friend about the alleged animal abuse and neglect.
“You don’t treat animals this way,” she said. “These people need to be held accountable.”
Others were also outraged.
Nicolette Acosta told Channel 7 News that county officials are not doing their jobs to protect and treat animals.
“The dogs can’t speak, and we’re here to do just that,” she said. “To provide that voice for them, and I don’t care how long it takes.”
After repeated attempts, Miami-Dade County officials did not respond to an interview request by the Gazette.
According to Friends of Miami Animals (FoMA), a non-profit animal welfare organization based in Miami, Miami-Dade Animal Services is extremely overcrowded, housing roughly 700 dogs, with a shelter that has a maximum capacity of 400 pets.
As a result, more than 150 dogs are being housed off-site at the Medley shelter in less than ideal conditions.
“This overcrowding is putting immense strain on resources, volunteers and staff, leaving innocent animals without the resources they need to thrive,” FoMA founder and president Yolanda Berkowitz said.
Debuted in 2016, FoMA is designed to curb pet homelessness and suffering in Miami-Dade County by addressing underlying issues contributing to pet overpopulation and abandonment.
Through partnerships, spay and neuter programs, volunteer and foster initiatives, as well as public awareness and education, FoMA offers its services to animal shelters.
Miami-Dade Animal Services opened the Medley shelter last year to alleviate overpopulation of dogs at the primary location in Doral, and temporarily waived adoption fees to expedite the process.
Visitors were welcomed each Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4p.m. The Medley shelter accommodates about 165 medium to large dogs, whereas the Doral facility houses nearly 450 dogs. The Doral shelter is open every day of the week.
“Animal Services is experiencing an overpopulation crisis, and many of our medium to large dogs are being overlooked in favor of smaller dogs and puppies,” said Annette Jose, Director of Miami-Dade County Animal Services, last year. “By expanding the Medley facility’s hours, we hope to provide these wonderful dogs with more opportunities to find homes. Adopting a larger dog not only helps alleviate the strain on our shelter but also gives these deserving animals a second chance at a happy life.”
In addition, animal services hosted free pet adoption events last year to reduce the overcrowding including at the Medley location.