Miami-Dade Animal Services receives $50,000 grant
From David Volz
Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) has been awarded a $50,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to expand support services for pet owners in need of veterinary care for their pets. These grant funds will help families receive the veterinary care that ensures pets live long and healthy lives.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with PetSmart Charities to expand our services and help keep pets in our county happy and healthy through preventative veterinary care,” said Bronwyn Stanford, Animal Services Director. “Thanks to this grant, we continue to make strides in offering affordable veterinary care options to our low-income residents and their beloved pets to ensuring their wellbeing.”
PetSmart Charities estimates that nearly 50 million pets in the U.S. cannot access basic veterinary care. Due to cost and other barriers, pets in under-resourced communities often do not receive essential services such as preventative care, vaccinations, spay/neuter services, and other medical care. As research continues to reveal the benefits of the human-animal bond, a movement is underway to connect pet parents to the healthcare that their pets need to keep them and their families healthy.
“Pets are universally regarded as important family members,” said Sarah Ocampo, community grants manager at PetSmart Charities. “When we connect pet parents to the resources they need, their pets can stay out of shelters and at home with people they love. We’re proud to support Miami-Dade County’s efforts to build stronger families by ensuring everyone can benefit from the joy of caring for pets.”
Miami-Dade to receive more than $20 million federal money
From David Volz
Miami-Dade County will receive more than $20 million in federal funds to invest in local resiliency efforts. These federal earmarks are a part of the diverse $1.7 trillion omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2023 approved by the Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in late December.
In total, $20,345,944 have been set aside for Miami-Dade County resilience priorities including septic-to-sewer conversion, stormwater drainage improvements, and a Biscayne Bay assessment and monitoring regime.
“This is a huge win for Miami-Dade County and a true investment in our local economy. We are grateful for the tireless work of our outstanding congressional delegation,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Miami-Dade is leading the nation in climate adaptation and resilience innovation. And with these dollars, we’ll work to secure a cleaner, more resilient future for our residents, visitors, and environment.”
Earmarks – also known as “Community Project Funding requests” – give members of Congress authority to provide federal support for local projects to enhance community priorities, such as resiliency, transportation, health care, and other economic development projects.
Miami-Dade’s congressional delegation includes Representatives Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-23), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Mario Diaz Balart (FL-25), Carlos Gimenez (FL-26), and Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27). Representative Wilson secured $6,905,944 for septic-to-sewer conversion and canal remediation. Representative Diaz-Balart secured $7,420,000 for septic-to-sewer conversion, stormwater drainage improvement, and affordable housing efforts. Representative Gimenez secured $1,850,000 for septic-to-sewer conversion and Biscayne Bay assessment and monitoring efforts. Representative Salazar secured $4,170,000 for stormwater drainage improvement and mobile computing upgrades for the Miami-Dade police department.
