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.