SHELTER RESCUE 
**UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE OUR DIRECT SHELTER RESCUE PROGRAM IS DISCONTINUED. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF ILLNESS OF COMING FROM THE SHELTERS, ALL DOGS RESCUED WILL REMAIN IN OUR FOSTER CARE SYSTEM FOR A MINIMUM OF A 3 WEEK PERIOD PRIOR TO ADOPTION. YOU MAY STILL SUBMIT AN ADOPTION APPLICATION DURING THIS TIME AND WE WELCOME YOU TO APPLY ONLINE TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. Every day there are over 200 dogs and as many as 100 cats
They have dogs and cats of of all breeds, ages, and sizes.
Sadly, many of them will never have a second chance at a new and better life. In 2008 over 21,000 animals were euthanized at the shelter and this year they expect it to be even higher. UPDATE 10/27/09 The intake and euthanasia numbers for the last 12 months were released from the shelter. 37,340 animals arrived at the shelter. A total of 13,719 were saved by adoption, rescue groups or lost animals returned to owners. Sadly this means that 23,621 animals were euthanized in the last 12 months. That equals an average of 65 animals per day.
We can assist you in the rescue of an animal currently in the shelter. Please don't delay if you see an animal that you think is right for you. Between 50 and 100 are euthanized daily and there is no guarantee that the animal you see today will still be alive tomorrow. Our organization can place a rescue hold on an animal that you wish to adopt and we can rescue the animal from the shelter if you are unable to do so, as is the case with our Southwest Florida residents. Most animals have a 5 day 'hold' period, and if there are no claims to the animal or other valid holds placed during this 5 day period, your new family member can join you shortly thereafter. Please be advised that an adoption hold placed in person always takes precedence over a rescue hold placed by us. We do strongly encourage you to go to the shelter if you are able to, and place an adoption hold; however, please be advised that they will only do this if you visit in person and will not do it over the phone.
If you have been considering buying a dog of a particular breed such as a boxer, bulldog, shih tzu, german shepherd, etc., please consider shelter rescue or adoption instead. We have rescued and adopted out many such dogs and their new families couldn't be happier. Please contact us and let us know what type of dog you are looking for, and we will do everything we can to assist you with rescue and adoption. All of our dogs are currently adopted for a $125.00 donation and all of our cats are adopted for a $50.00 donation, which helps us to continue to save as many as we can. If you are in Southwest Florida, this also includes transportation to a meeting point in Naples/Ft. Myers.
Please note that we highly recommend that all shelter rescue dogs are seen by your private vet within 3 days of adoption for a general assessment and to begin receiving his/her monthly heartworm prevention. Dogs that are adopted using Direct Shelter Assistance will need special adopters who are willing to take on the challenges associated with rescuing a shelter dog. You will need to be sure you can take care of these needs....Your new rescue dog may be filthy, may have fleas/ticks, may have or come down with kennel cough and may need training, among other things. We do meet with each dog for you to be sure that they show all signs of being people friendly and friendly to other dogs as well.
We do encourage anyone who has current dogs in the home to be sure that they have received, and are current on, their bordatella vaccination. This is not always given with your dog's annual shots. Bordatella, commonly known as kennel cough has an incubation period of 2-14 days. While usually no more serious than a common cold would be in a human, unvaccinated dogs or very young puppies can experience complications. We cannot predict nor be responsible for the fact that any animal coming out of the shelter may have unseen illness, but we can advise that immunization is your best protection against many illnesses.
SHELTER ADDRESS
Address: 7401 NW 74 Street Miami, Florida 33166
Directions: to Main Shelter
The Main Shelter is located directly east of the Palmetto Expressway. It may be accessed by exiting the Palmetto Expressway at the 74th Street exit, traveling east to N.W. 74th Avenue, and then bearing left.
PHONE
305-884-1101
Please visit their website at http://www.miamidade.gov/animals/ to read more about their direct adoption process. To view animals, click on Pet Search on the upper left of the page. Be advised that all animals shown may not be available. They are on a first come, first served basis.
Please visit our Contact Us page to request additional information or discuss shelter rescue adoption assistance. If you are contacting us about a particular animal, please have the Animal ID#.