Since 2010, thousands of animals -- mainly dogs and cats -- have been abandoned and left to die in a remote part of the Everglades. Irresponsible owners who are unable or unwilling to continue caring for their pet simply pull over to the side of the road, open the door, and shove out the unwanted animal. Some dogs wait faithfully at that spot, sure their family will be back to get them; others are hit by cars, while some simply starve to death.

This type of cruelty is unacceptable, and it’s time for Dade County to stop ignoring the animal dumping epidemic and take steps to curb this horrific practice. Please sign my petition asking Dade County to step up efforts and funding to patrol the area being used to dump pets, coordinate with pet rescue groups and work to get most of these animals off the streets and into a forever home.

It is illegal in Florida to abandon an animal. But deep in the Everglades, those who do are almost never caught. And the problem doesn’t seem to be getting better. Rescuers speak of finding dogs in the most dire situations: running in and out of traffic on busy roadways, or shivering in the middle of fields in the rain. Every year, hundreds of pets are found. It’s time to end this madness.

Please join me and and help save thousands of animals’ lives. Sign my petition asking Dade County to publicly commit to step up efforts to curb animal abandonment in the Everglades. Our pets deserve better than this.