The Humane Society of Greater Miami
Give Miami Day has taken on added importance for The Humane Society of Greater Miami in recent years.
As is the case nationwide, animal shelters in Miami-Dade County are struggling to respond to what Executive Director Jossie Aguirre characterizes as a “drastic increase” in abandoned animals. Three to four years ago, the Humane Society of Greater Miami took in about 17 animals per month, but according to Aguirre, that number has now surged to 50.
“Having additional funds, which Give Miami Day helps us with, allows us to care for those animals that we didn’t plan to receive,” said Aguirre. “It really helps us account for those unforeseen circumstances.”
Give Miami Day dollars are directed to the shelter’s operating fund, where they help cover the costs of getting animals “as healthy as possible” ahead of a hopeful adoption. Deworming, vaccinating, spaying or neutering, and microchipping amounts to hundreds of dollars in care for each pet. Costs rise when animals need critical medical care from a private or emergency veterinarian.
Moreover, as the county’s only low-cost spay/neuter clinic performing surgeries five days a week, the Humane Society is providing medical care to pets from across South Florida amidst animal shelter capacity challenges. A successful Give Miami Day could help the shelter extend these services to a sixth day each week.
Typically, the Humane Society’s Give Miami Day fundraising goal has been between $60,000 and $80,000, but the organization has higher hopes for 2024. “We want to hit $150,000 this year,” said Aguirre. “We think it's really important with everything going on in the animal welfare world.”
The Humane Society of Greater Miami
Give Miami Day has taken on added importance for The Humane Society of Greater Miami in recent years.
As is the case nationwide, animal shelters in Miami-Dade County are struggling to respond to what Executive Director Jossie Aguirre characterizes as a “drastic increase” in abandoned animals. Three to four years ago, the Humane Society of Greater Miami took in about 17 animals per month, but according to Aguirre, that number has now surged to 50.
“Having additional funds, which Give Miami Day helps us with, allows us to care for those animals that we didn’t plan to receive,” said Aguirre. “It really helps us account for those unforeseen circumstances.”
Give Miami Day dollars are directed to the shelter’s operating fund, where they help cover the costs of getting animals “as healthy as possible” ahead of a hopeful adoption. Deworming, vaccinating, spaying or neutering, and microchipping amounts to hundreds of dollars in care for each pet. Costs rise when animals need critical medical care from a private or emergency veterinarian.
Moreover, as the county’s only low-cost spay/neuter clinic performing surgeries five days a week, the Humane Society is providing medical care to pets from across South Florida amidst animal shelter capacity challenges. A successful Give Miami Day could help the shelter extend these services to a sixth day each week.
Typically, the Humane Society’s Give Miami Day fundraising goal has been between $60,000 and $80,000, but the organization has higher hopes for 2024. “We want to hit $150,000 this year,” said Aguirre. “We think it's really important with everything going on in the animal welfare world.”