Pet of the Week: Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez Encourages Residents to Support Shelter Pets in Need

Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez is launching a weekly Pet of the Week feature to raise awareness of shelter animals available for adoption and encourage residents to support local animal welfare efforts.

Each week, the campaign will spotlight two pets currently in the care of Miami-Dade Animal Services. The feature will provide residents with basic information about each animal and make it easier to learn more about adoption opportunities.

This week’s featured pets are Rosa, a 3-year-old gray American Pit Bull Terrier mix, and Garfield, a 1-year-old orange-and-white tabby. Both are waiting for families who can provide a safe, stable, and caring home.

Local shelters regularly care for dogs and cats that have been lost, abandoned, surrendered, or separated from their families. While they wait for placement, shelter teams provide food, medical treatment, behavioral support, enrichment, and daily care.

Adoption gives shelter pets a permanent home while also creating space and resources for other animals in need. Fostering is another valuable option, particularly for pets that may need time outside the shelter to recover, socialize, or adjust to a home environment before adoption.

Residents who are not ready to adopt or foster can still help by volunteering, donating needed supplies, sharing weekly pet features, and encouraging friends and family to consider shelter adoption.

The Pet of the Week campaign is intended to connect more residents with adoptable animals and highlight the ongoing work of Miami-Dade Animal Services. By featuring two pets every week, the Tax Collector’s Office hopes to increase visibility for shelter animals and help more of them find permanent homes.

Residents can learn more about Rosa, Garfield, and other available pets by scanning the QR codes included in the weekly graphics or by contacting Miami-Dade Animal Services.