Give Credit Where Credit is Due - to the Miami Dade Community

As many of you are undoubtedly familiar, a distemper outbreak was announced at Miami Dade Animal Services last week, and since then, hundreds of rescuers and animal lovers from across South Florida came together to save more than 500 animals from MDAS (so they wouldn't be killed when the shelter sanitation begins).

Here at No Kill Nation, we are INCREDIBLY proud of our community for stepping forward to help these innocent creatures.

And on that note, a blog post was recently brought to our attention. This blog, written by Dr. Patty Khuly, DVM, makes several excellent points about the failings of our city government when it comes to addressing the dreadful conditions at MDAS. However, we completely disagree with the premise that the blame falls only on the city government, and not on Dr. Pizano herself. The shelter is, after all, under her control, and her mismanagement has been demonstrated time and time again - with allegations of cruelty, unsanitary conditions, "mistakes" resulting in animals' deaths ... if these issues aren't her fault, whose are they?

We also take major issue with the following statement:

"Luckily, an unprecedented weekend-long outpouring of community support, galvanized by a massive adoption effort led by Dr. Pizano and her staff's PR efforts, forestalled any more distemper related deaths (for the moment anyway). Now that all but a tiny group of dogs is left to face euthanasia, it's clear that the distemper virus's relentless course can be temporarily halted."

First of all - there was no luck involved. The incredible community effort that has taken place over the past week (including the rescue of more than 500 animals from MDAS) CANNOT be attributed to actions by Pizano. The most MDAS leadership did was offer a grossly delayed press release announcing that the shelter would be closed because of the situation. Credit is due to the rescue groups, animal lovers and concerned citizens across South Florida that took it upon themselves to come to the aid of these many animals. It was THEIR PR efforts that spread the word, their Chip Ins that raised funds, and their Facebook campaigns that showcased each and every animal.

In fact, Dr. Pizano and her staff were still charging rescuers for "adoptions" at the height of the crisis. It was only after Dahlia Canes (of Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation) recommended to Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz and Hialeah Councilwoman Isis Martinez that the fees be dropped, that they were. The recommendation was made late Friday to the officials, and the fees were waived as of Saturday. Additionally, Canes also called Councilwoman Martinez on Saturday about the "holds" still in place for the animals, and she contacted Commissioners Diaz and Martinez, and on Sunday all existing holds were dropped. NONE of this was due to Pizano, it was in fact in spite of her that these policy changes were made.

To give credit to Dr. Pizano is truly misguided. Thanks are due to the community, and the community only, for coming together and doing whatever it took to help these homeless pets. They saved hundreds of lives, and spent countless hours of their time and their funds to make sure as many animals as possible escaped alive. We are a community to be proud of - and No Kill Nation salutes all who stepped forward during this crisis.

If you'd like to donate money towards the rescued pets, click here to give to a community fund, which will be used towards the care and expenses of these animals. No Kill Nation, The Homeless Pet Advocates, MCABSL and other local advocacy groups have come together to launch a community food and supply drive to support the rescued pets from MDAS.

If you live in Miami Dade County and you're interested in donating, the FIU Pre-Veterinary Society will be collecting goods at:

Briarwood Animal Hospital
10427 South Dixie Highway
Miami, Fl 33156

All goods collected will be taken to THPA/NKN offices.

If you live in Broward County and wish to donate between 8:00AM-5:00PM, please go to the THPA & NKN offices located at:

837 SE 8th Avenue Suite 201 & 203
Deerfield Beach , FL 33441

For an appointment, please email info@thehomelesspetadvocates.com.

You may also mail checks and gift cards for pet stores/Walmart/Target (etc) to

The Homeless Pet Advocates, Inc.
PO Box 5209
Lighthouse Point, FL 33074

And please, Dr. Khuly, give credit where credit is due.

Help MDAS Dogs Leave Alive!

Time is of the essence. Miami Dade Animal Services has gone into a lockdown mode due to the recent distemper outbreak. All area rescue groups are working feverishly to get dogs out of the facility in order to save them from the mass killing we fear is coming. We need to rally public support and insure that the animals are given as much time as necessary to be rescued! Since intake has been halted, space is not an issue, so there's no reason why the shelter can't keep these animals until rescue can be arranged for each and every one.

Please send the below letter to the County Manager of Miami Dade, and the Director of Animal Services, Dr. Sara Pizano - email addresses here:

Sara Pizano spizano@miamidade.gov

Alina Hudak manager@miamidade.gov



To whom it may concern;

The animal rescue community has been dedicated to homing Miami’s sheltered animals for several years.

We respectfully ask that you keep the adoption process open until the last dog and puppy leave alive. Again, the rescue community has always been there for MDAS, and we feel these animals deserve a chance to live as long as there are rescuers still committed to saving them.


Respectfully Yours,

(your name here)

BREAKING NEWS - Miami Dade Animal Services Disease Outbreak

This afternoon, a press release was distributed by Miami Dade Animal Services, announcing a disease outbreak (canine distemper, and potentially parvo), and an essential LOCKDOWN of the facility. Most regular services will be temporarily suspended, and others permanently discontinued. Click here to read the press release. There are over 500 dogs currently being housed at the facility - and all their lives are in immediate danger.

We have learned that Dr. Sarah Pizano went on camera again this afternoon (local channel 4 - CBS) to categorically DENY there will be a MASS KILL tonight at her animal shelter. Our sources on the inside had earlier reported, in spite of her first live press conference, that [allegedly] Dr. Pizano did in fact give the “kill order”.

One thing is for certain, the animal advocates of South Florida and beyond have turned all eyes to PetHarbor.com; a nationwide search directory of impounded, lost and found companion animals. Pet Harbor is used by many rescue organizations to monitor the “kill list” and subsequently send out rescue alerts.
Rescues all over the country will be watching the MDAS Pet Harbor report very closely to account for every animal in the facility; we are counting on the fact that either the lucky get adopted immediately, or they will still be listed on tomorrow morning's report. In that case, the animal has at least survived MDAS for one more day.

Sources now speculate Dr. Pizano has backed herself into a corner and the mass-kill may not happen tonight, but it’s inevitable unless the community arranges for an organized mass-rescue. Shelter staff have admitted to local press that animals remaining in the shelter will be "euthanized" (KILLED). They claim that they will make efforts to get as many out as possible, but this is a shelter notorious for not making lifesaving efforts.

Ordinarily, a disease outbreak of this proportion is announced by the shelter director in ADVANCE, allowing rescue plans to be coordinated (according to sources that were present at the University of Florida Shelter Medicine meeting), BUT, not so in Miami-Dade's Animal “Shelter”.

It is said that the representatives of UF's shelter medicine department would never recommend a mass kill in any animal shelter. There you have it:  welcome to Miami-Dade Animal Services.

Join Us for Reform in South Florida

South Floridians recently voted to recall Miami Mayor Carlos Alvarez, and soon after, City Manager George Burgess announced his resignation. Burgess was a lame duck anyway, as Miamians voted in August to eliminate his $400,000+ position entirely.

This is a step in the right direction, as these men presided over a city that has a track record of killing more than 20,000 animals per year at Miami Dade Animal Services. These horrific numbers are the result of Dr. Sara Pizano's leadership at the shelter. And now that her bosses are on their way out, it's time she be replaced with a compassionate, No Kill director who will fight to save the lives of Miami's companion animals.

Please sigh and share this petition calling for her resignation. Together, we can bring change to South Florida!

Helping People & Animals in Japan

The tragedy in Japan forever changed the landscape of a nation, and left thousands of people without homes, and thousands of others dead or missing. When natural disasters like this arise, it's not just the people who need to be rescued, it's the country's displaced animals as well. They're helpless, alone, and often injured. There are multiple organizations in Japan working to care for the animals in need, so please support these groups and give what you can!

Below are a couple of organizations where you can donate directly:

Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue & Support - A group comprised of three No Kill organizations - the Japan Cat Network, HEART-Tokushima and Animal Friends Niigata. Click here for their Chip In. This group promises that all efforts related to earthquake/tsunami relief will be "staunchly No Kill", as are the organizations themselves.

World Vets - A group providing international vet care for animals. They are working with the above group to deploy a team to care for the injured animals.

Help Louisville Kentucky Find a No Kill Shelter Director

Louisville, Kentucky is on the hunt for a new Director of Metro Animal Services. Last year, the Metro Council DID approve a resolution embracing the idea of No Kill and state it as a goal for their community, however, it has not been mandated that the shelter follow the No Kill Equation. So, it's absolutely crucial that a No Kill Director be put in place to implement these policies. The job description calls for someone with a BS & animal services experience and 2 years managerial experience OR 6 years managerial experience and animal services experience.

Shelby County, just down the road from Louisville, became Kentucky's first No Kill community, and Louisville has a chance to follow. The folks at No Kill Louisville are working hard to make this happen. Please spread the word about the job posting, so we can be sure the right person is put in place!

Click here to read the full job description.

Washoe County Under Attack by Anti No-Kill Extremists

For those who are familiar with the No Kill movement, Washoe County Nevada is a shining example of No Kill success. With an annual intake of more than 15,000 animals, this community maintains a 90%+ save rate, and is a fabulous model for mutual respect and cooperation between the Nevada Humane Society and animal services.

But despite this success, there are still No Kill opponents who would like to see these incredible accomplishments fall by the wayside - opponents who want the county to return to killing. A recently formed political action committee called NvPAW is trying to impede the passage of a code change that would protect the access of rescue groups to animals in jeopardy.

Click here to read the Nevada Humane Society's call for support on this crucial issue.

Click here to read Nathan Winograd's letter to the County Commissioners on this issue.

Please write to the County Commissioners and express your support for the Nevada Humane Society and your opposition to the agenda of NvPAW!

We must stand with the No Kill advocates in Washoe County who have worked tirelessly to save the lives of thousands of Nevada animals. Let your voice be heard!