Rescued: Dog Abandoned at Tamarac Fire Station Gets Second Chance

by Agrippina Fadel August 11, 2023

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Rescued: Dog Abandoned at Tamarac Fire Station Gets Second Chance

Dog found by the Fire Station 15 {Courtesy Tamarac Fire Rescue}

By Agrippina Fadel

A dog, who was abandoned by the Tamarac Fire Station in July, has been adopted by a loving family.

Van Schoen, Community Education, and Program Manager for Tamarac Fire Rescue, said the beautiful brown dog was found tied up by Fire Station 15 at 6000 Hiatus Rd. on July 17. He appeared to be in good health and did not have a chip.

“He is a very sweet dog. One of our firefighters took him in for a few days, and then a local family adopted him,” he said.

Schoen added that since fire stations are open 24/7, some residents think dropping their unwanted pets nearby is a good idea, hoping they would get help quickly.

“In this heat, this is very dangerous. The dog was out there without food and water and stuck right by the busy road. We ask the residents to drop their pets at an appropriate facility if they must,” he said.

Attiyya Atkins, Public Information Officer for Broward County Animal Care, said the shelter offers pet owners in need multiple resources that might help them keep the pooch in the family, including free food for dogs and cats and crates.

“We offer discounted virtual behavioral training through one of our partners if the behavior is the issue. If the family is considering surrendering the pet because they cannot afford veterinarian care, we have a low-cost Pet Care Clinic for basic medical procedures and offer vet care reimbursement through our trust fund,” she added.

Atkins explained that the main focus of Broward County Animal Care is handling stray animals.

“Keeping these animals safe and getting them off the streets protects public safety in our communities. As a result, our shelter is often at capacity. We ask all owners who can no longer keep their animal to explore all available alternatives prior to surrendering an animal to the shelter,” she said.

Residents can create a profile for their dog or cat on Adopt-a-Pet.com and find a suitable new home for them. Atkins said this option keeps the pets out of the shelter, which can be an extremely stressful and traumatic experience for an animal.

Broward Animal Care also works with multiple Rescue Partners, smaller rescues, and shelters that can foster a pet and help find a new home. Atkins added that owners of most purebred dogs can get assistance from breed-specific rescues, which usually includes veterinary care, spay, and neuter assistance, help with rehoming, food pantries, and training help.

Eligible Tamarac residents can also take advantage of the city’s pet pantry and receive dog and cat food and other items when available.

“The shelter is the last resort,” Atkins said.

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Agrippina Fadel

Agrippina Fadel grew up in Siberia and received her master's in journalism from Tyumen State University. A resident of Florida for over 10 years, she also works as a marketing and communication specialist at a local university.