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!