Voters to decide on no-kill shelter

Pets trust would cost each household approximately $20 per year

MIAMI – A once-homeless puppy is being credited with helping to get the Pets' Trust on the November ballot in Miami-Dade County.

The puppy, named him Pepe Sal in honor of Pets' Trust supporters Commissioners Jose "Pepe" Diaz and Sally Heyman, has became the symbolic lobbyist for the Pets' Trust.

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The measure passed unanimously Tuesday at the Miami-Dade County Commission meeting.

Now that it's officially on the ballot, Miami-Dade voters will be asked if they would be willing to pay slightly higher property taxes to stop the killing of dogs and cats at the county's animal shelter.

The money would also pay for spay and neuter services.

The question on creating a Pets' Trust will be on a nonbinding straw ballot Nov. 6, but if voters say yes, then the Commission would likely go ahead and approve it.

Animal rights activists support the measure, which would pay to turn the animal shelter into a no-kill facility and would also pay for 100,000 spay and neuter surgeries annually.

The Pets' Trust will cost each household about $20 per year.