Commissioner Diaz seeks to expand veterinary services partnership locally

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – Miami-Dade County’s existing partnership with the University of Florida for enhanced veterinary services at the County’s animal shelter may form the basis for a similar agreement with Miami Dade College.

The Miami-Dade County Commission on June 4 adopted a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz to explore a collaboration with the college’s Veterinary Technology Program while approving a four-year interlocal agreement with UF that extends the County’s current partnership with the university. The agreement calls for an annual County contribution of approximately $121,000 to UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine for clinical and supervisory veterinary services.

The County’s partnership with UF began in 2016 under an earlier resolution sponsored by Commissioner Diaz. UF, which houses the state’s only public college of veterinary medicine, provides a faculty veterinarian and veterinary technicians to enhance a range of services for shelter animals at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center in Doral, including veterinary medical care for sick and injured dogs, vaccinations, and spay and neuter services to help achieve a “no kill” shelter – a goal embraced by the County Commission in a 2012 resolution also sponsored by Commissioner Diaz.

“Extending our current agreement with UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine while exploring a similar partnership with Miami-Dade College will save more animals and provide valuable hands-on training for local aspiring veterinarians,” Commissioner Diaz said.