TAMARAC, Fla. (August 21, 2023) – On behalf of the City of Tamarac, Mayor Michelle J. Gomez accepted the Florida League of Mayors’ Municipal Innovation Award (MMIA) in the Quality of Life Category, for the Tamarac Pet Pantry Project. The award was presented during the Florida League of Mayors’ (FLM) August business meeting in Orlando, Fla. The City of Tamarac was one of three municipalities to receive this inaugural award.
The MMIA recognizes governmental agencies implementing advanced and innovative programs that best serve their residents. Tamarac Pet Pantry opened in March 2023 to assist the City’s dog and cat owners with pet food expenses during the time of financial hardship. Based out of the Tamarac Recreation Center, 7501 North University Drive, the pantry serves as a pet food bank for income-qualified Tamarac households and a collection point for pet food donations. Proposed by Gomez, the Tamarac City Commission unanimously approved to implement the pet pantry during the Jan. 11 Regular City Commission Meeting.
"We are honored to receive the FLM’s inaugural Municipal Innovation Award for our Tamarac Pet Pantry,” said Gomez. “In Tamarac, quality of life is very important and that includes all who live in our City. It is wonderful to help our residents in need have access to high-quality dog and cat food. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our Pet Pantry’s success! We are proud of this accomplishment and cherish our residents and their fur babies!”
Since opening, the pet pantry operated through donations from generous community members. Individuals and organizations interested in donating pet food can do so between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday thru Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday. Donors can schedule at-home pick-ups by calling (954) 597-3674.
To receive donations, appointments are required. Pick-up times are available on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday and Thursday of each month, from 1 to 6 p.m. Applications can be accessed at www.Tamarac.org/PetPantry.
For additional information about the Tamarac Pet Pantry’s services, please visit www.Tamarac.org/PetPantry. More information about MMIA is available at www.FloridaMayors.org.
# # #