Keep Animal Services' Budget Intact

Planned budget cuts (in response to Property Tax cuts) for Animal Services are approximately 10% - taking Animal Services from $10million back to $9 million and dramatically impacting AS' ability to perform legally required functions of picking up stray dogs, housing them and reuniting them with their owners or adopting them out. 
This cut brings AS' budget well BELOW the level recommended by the County's Office of Strategic Business Management in 2004!  Essential services will be impacted - calls will not be answered; folks will wait hours to reclaim their loved pets.
These proposed cuts are certainly targeted at AS because 'dogs don't vote'.
We urge a review of this budget to restore monies for essential (legally required) services and restoration of funds bringing the annual budget to at least $10mm.  This amount puts Miami-Dade County on par with peer cities/counties.