On June 8, 2018, the City of Hallandale Beach was selected by the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and Mars Petcare to receive a $20,000 BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ grant to establish a Happy/Healthy Pets initiative. The grant was awarded to help cities promote, support and expand pet-friendly programs and policies in communities across the country. “Every life is precious, even those with four legs. Our residents consider their pets like their children, members of their family,” said Hallandale Beach Commissioner Michele Lazarow. “This grant will allow us to implement programs that make Hallandale Beach the pet friendliest city in South Florida. I would like to give special thanks to the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Mars Petcare for their generous contribution to our community. I hope this program serves as a role model for other cities to adopt.” 

Commissioner Lazarow looks forward to working with the Hallandale Beach Police and Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces  Departments and the Broward County Animal Care and Adoption to ensure that the grant helps Hallandale Beach pet owners be the most responsible guardians that they can. Through events, communications and improved infrastructure, the program will educate residents on the importance of spaying/neutering pets, pet adoption, microchipping and dog tagging, and anti-tethering laws, among other topics. The program will also aim to increase the city’s capacity to accommodate lost pets and reunite lost pets with their owners quickly, as well as reduce pet homelessness and overpopulation in shelters. For more information about the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program, please visit Better Cities For Pets and follow #HBWoof on social media for any updates on the initiative.