Miami-Dade Invites the Community to Adopt a Pet on Save Charlie Day This December 15
Miami-Dade County is calling on residents to make a life-changing difference by adopting a shelter pet on Save Charlie Day, observed each year on December 15. The special day is dedicated to promoting pet adoptions and raising awareness about the County’s ongoing lifesaving mission for dogs and cats in its care.
The bond between people and their pets is unique and deeply meaningful, and Save Charlie Day serves as a reminder that adoption not only gives animals a second chance but also enriches the lives of families across the community.
To mark the occasion, Miami-Dade County Animal Services is hosting a special adoption promotion from Saturday, December 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Monday, December 15, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center, located at 3599 NW 79th Avenue in Doral.
During this promotion, adoption fees for pets four months and older will be waived, with adopters only responsible for a $30 tag fee. Adoption fees for puppies under four months are $85, while kittens are $35.
Every adoption includes essential services such as age-appropriate vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, and spay or neuter surgery, ensuring pets are healthy and ready to join their new families.
Save Charlie Day was established in 2021 by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners as part of the Save Charlie Act, sponsored by Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee.
The initiative highlights the County’s commitment to maintaining a 90 percent or higher save rate for shelter animals, a benchmark first achieved in 2015 and sustained every year since. The legislation emphasizes lifesaving practices and limits euthanasia to rare cases involving public safety risks or incurable suffering.
The Pet Adoption and Protection Center is recognized as a model facility that prioritizes humane care and successful adoptions. Its modern adoption mall allows visitors to meet available pets in a welcoming, comfortable environment designed to foster meaningful connections.
This December 15, Miami-Dade County encourages residents to make adoption their first choice when welcoming a new four-legged family member. By choosing to adopt on Save Charlie Day, the community helps save lives, supports responsible animal welfare practices, and strengthens the County’s lifesaving mission—one adoption at a time.
