No Matter How Small You Start, Start Something That Matters.


There is an underground railroad, of sorts, that helps move dogs from high kill facilities to shelters, rescue groups, foster families and forever homes throughout Florida. It is reliant on a patchwork of dedicated volunteers, from social media networkers to transporters. ––words and pictures by Anna Cooke


Until spay and neuter become a matter of course for all pet owners, the majority of adoptable dogs in Southern shelters will continue to be euthanized. Anyone who loves animals and realizes euthanasia is used as a solution to help control pet over- population, will agree: This is not an acceptable solution. Several areas in Florida have


become known dumping grounds for people wanting to get rid of their dogs. Everglades National Park, 1.5 million acres of saw grass prairie, mangrove swamp, jungle and exotic animals is one of those areas. The Redland Rockpit, an unincorporated, mostly agricul- tural area of Southwest Miami- Dade, is another. Unaltered dogs are left


behind to fend for themselves. Many are thrown out of moving cars. Some people believe their dogs will have a better chance of surviving the wilderness than Miami-Dade Animal Services. Instead, the dogs end up breeding, having puppies, become injured, ill, feral or succumb to injuries from being hit by a car. Rottweilers. Schnauzer mixes.


Big and little dogs. It is a sad situ- ation that has not been addressed by local government. Rescue groups from South Florida, Tampa Bay and Central Florida have trav- eled to the area to capture some of the dogs. The problem remains, and appears to be getting worse.


Tommy, a German Shepherd Dog, is one of the Miami 5 pulled from Miami-Dade Animal Services, days from being euthanized, with the help of The New Barker and a small band of volunteers.


24 THE NEW BARKER Continued.g www.TheNewBarker.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104