DATE: November 30, 2007
CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe, Public Information Manager
PHONE: 954-357-8053
CONTACT: Scott Medvin, Public Information Office
PHONE: 954-357-6015
Broward County Commissioner Ken Keechl is encouraging everyone to adopt a pet from one of the Broward County Animal Care and Regulation shelters or other organizations where pets are placed for adoption.
"I recently adopted a five-year old Lhasa Apso/Maltese mix and she has brought instant joy to our home," said Commissioner Keechl, who is an animal rights advocate and all-around animal lover. "We named her 'Missy' and she was one of thousands of dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Virginia. I just thought this was an opportune time to remind people about the love and companionship that a pet brings into your home. There are so many animals awaiting adoption."
Last year about 30,000 dogs and cats were euthanized in Broward County. The number of healthy dogs and cats euthanized every year will be greatly reduced if more pet owners spay or neuter their animals.
"We chose to adopt an older pet rather than a puppy, and I encourage others to consider doing the same. Our Missy is well behaved and easy to care for," said Keechl.
The Broward County Animal Care Division offers cats and dogs for adoption at two animal shelters, as well as cats and kittens at Pet Supermarket stores.
The locations and hours of the two animal shelters are as follows:
Fort Lauderdale Animal Shelter
1870 Southwest 39 Street
954-359-1313
Adoptions/Redemptions Hours:
Monday - Friday,
1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.,
Saturday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pompano Beach Animal Shelter
3100 Northwest 19 Terrace
954-970-0130
Adoptions/Redemption Hours:
Wednesday through Friday
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Individuals interested in adopting a pet can visit one of the shelters and see if any of the animals there would fit into their households. You can also look for the perfect lifelong friend online by visiting the Animal Care Division's Pet Adoption Website at http://www.broward.org/animal.
Here's how:
• Click on View Photos and Description of Adoptable Animals in the right navigation. This site offers photos and descriptions of all the adoptable animals. Enter the Zip Code 33315 and select the two Broward County Animal Care and Regulation options.
• On www.broward.org/animal, left navigation, click on Adoptions for details on the adoption process, fees, and testing of the animals.
• Click on Adoptable Pets for a list of the adoptable cats and dogs along with a brief description.
The Animal Care and Regulation Division administers a program call S.P.O.T. (Stop Pet Overpopulation Together) that offers $10 pet sterilizations for Broward County residents with a low or moderate income level. This program is funded through a $2 surcharge on animal license tags issued that goes into a special account to pay the veterinarians a reduced fee to perform the surgeries. For more information, call the S.P.O.T. Program Coordinator at 954-359-2231.
"Having your pet spayed or neutered is the responsible thing to do and Broward County Animal Care and Regulation division makes it easy and affordable," said Keechl.
For more detailed information on pet adoption and the Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division please visit www.broward.org/animal.
Hearing- and speech-impaired individuals should call 954-359-1380 TTY.
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