By Rachel Galvin

Animal lovers swarmed through booths set up in Pioneer Park on Saturday, May 7, to see what animals were available for adoption from the various groups there. The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) and Broward County Animal Care hosted event was put together by Sgt. Andrea Tianga, who was on hand with her husband Lt. Ozzy Tianga. Even their son, Joshua, got into the event as DJ SoFlo. There were many vendor booths and BSO brought some K-9s.

“I have been doing animal rescue since [before I was a teenager]. I am a huge animal lover. When I heard that the sheriff is a big animal lover, I jumped at the opportunity [for us] to partner with Broward Animal Care,” said Sgt. Tianga, who added, “With Mother’s Day, the Air and Sea show, [and all the other events going on, it is great that] people are still jumping at the chance to be a part of it.”

Lt. Russo added, “It is a great thing to have out here … to give pets a forever home.”

Helen Santana, who happens to be a volunteer for C.O.P.S., adopted a terrier at the event. Adoption fees were waived this day for most of the dogs. Pet Supermarket gave her a goody basket of products to help her get started.

“I think it is great,” she said of the event. “It is a good way to adopt a dog.

I have bought all of my dogs through a shelter, not a breeder. This is our third dog. I have two cats at home.”

It was not just about dogs; the nonprofit Lumen LS (www.LumenLS.org) had a booth with cats for adoption.

“Our goal is to eliminate shelter euthanasia [for cats] in Broward County,” said Director Andi Kola about his organization, which opened a year ago. He brought out kittens who have FIV (or Feline immunodeficiency virus) to educate people that even these cats can go on to live healthy lives and do not have to be euthanized.

“We have rescued up to 91 kittens in the last three weeks,” he said, adding that his organization offers a place for the cats to stay while they find homes.