Palmetto Bay residents who adopt a pet from Miami-Dade County Animal Services can get their adoption fee back, and seniors facing an emergency vet bill can receive up to $250 in relief. Both village-funded programs still have money available.
The two initiatives, sponsored by Councilwoman Marsha Matson, put a combined $15,000 behind pet owners in the village. The Adopt-A-Pet program covers the full adoption fee for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens adopted through the county shelter system. The Senior Assistance for Veterinary Emergency program, known as SAVE, reimburses qualifying seniors for urgent care when a pet's life is on the line.
Adopt-A-Pet: how it works
The Village Council approved the Adopt-A-Pet program through Resolution No. 2025-42 on July 7, 2025. Matson sponsored the measure; Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer co-sponsored it. The village set aside $10,000, distributed first-come, first-served until the money runs out.
Reimbursement amounts match what Miami-Dade County Animal Services charges: $85 for puppies under 4 months, $65 for dogs 4 months and older (that includes the $30 tag fee), and $35 for cats and kittens.
Only adoptions from Miami-Dade County Animal Services facilities, offsite partner locations, and county adoption events qualify. Private rescues and shelters are not eligible.
There's a 30-day waiting period after adoption before the village processes a reimbursement, matching the county's return policy window. Once approved, a check is mailed to the address on the application.
To apply, residents submit an online application at palmettobay-fl.gov/1672 with a valid government-issued ID showing a Palmetto Bay address, proof of residency, and an adoption receipt dated after July 7, 2025.
SAVE: emergency vet help for seniors
The council approved SAVE through Resolution No. 2025-18 on March 18, 2025, also sponsored by Matson. The program has $5,000 allocated across all applicants, again first-come, first-served.
Eligible seniors must be 62 or older, receiving Social Security benefits, and living in Palmetto Bay. Each qualifying senior can receive one reimbursement of up to $250 for a single emergency vet visit. Routine care, vaccinations, wellness visits, deworming, flea prevention, and spay/neuter referrals do not qualify.
Applicants need a valid driver's license, a Social Security Administration Award letter, and a paid emergency vet bill dated after March 18, 2025 showing the veterinarian's business name and address. Processing takes up to two weeks. Applications are at palmettobay-fl.gov/1664.
Both programs confirmed active
The Village Manager's Report presented at the Monday, June 1, 2026 Regular Council Meeting listed both Adopt-A-Pet and SAVE as "program in progress," confirming funds remain available more than a year after each program launched.
Neither program has a set end date. Both close only when their allocated funds run out.
Residents with questions can email [email protected] or call Village Hall at 305-259-1234. Village Hall is at 9705 East Hibiscus St., Palmetto Bay, FL 33157.
Upcoming
For a full calendar of Village of Palmetto Bay events, visit palmettobay-fl.gov/calendar.
