All the volunteers who sent emails to Miami Dade Animal Services requesting information about Buddy, a senior dog who is urgently in need of rescue or adoption, received back the following automated response:

When a shelter kills animals almost daily, receiving communication from the public, from prospective rescuers and adopters, should be of paramount importance. No matter what is going on with the technology at the shelter, someone needs to be monitoring the emails.

In the meantime, dogs like Buddy languish at the shelter. Many urgently need rescue because their time is running out. The shelter picks dogs like Buddy to kill because they can say it was for medical reasons. While Buddy is elderly and has some of the conditions associated with being old, his medical condition does not appear to be urgent. A video shows him able to interact with a visitor and look for treats.

Buddy was found as a stray, but it’s certain that he was someone’s dog for most of his life. He looks forlorn at the shelter. Most senior dogs are confused there and don’t know what happened to their family or how they ended up at a loud and chaotic shelter.

Please share Buddy’s story and help network him. It’s his only chance to get rescue or adoption. Older dogs just need a soft bed and a little love to be happy. He won’t need lots of toys or lots of exercise — just love and some tenderness.

Buddy is ID#A1832720. He is listed as an eight-year-old, male, black and brown German shepherd mix. There may be more information on his Facebook thread. He is located at Miami Dade Animal Services, 3599 NW 79 Avenue, Doral, Florida 33166. The phone number is (305) 884-1101. The shelter is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Email:pets@miamidade.gov for more information — but don’t expect a quick response.

Please note that I do not work at the shelter. Do not post pledges or offers to adopt in the comments — they will not be seen by the shelter. Contact the shelter directly to help, or visit the Facebook threads for more information. Also, only respectful, profanity-free comments will be approved.