Alyssa Dazza, a 2015 graduate of Florida International University (FIU), is now serving as assistant director at Broward County Animal Care, which is the second largest municipal animal care operation in Florida. In her current position, Dazza oversees new initiatives aimed at improving animal welfare and shelter operations.
Last month, Broward Animal Care introduced the Working Cats Program under Dazza’s leadership. The program is designed for cats that are not suited for indoor living. It places these animals in outdoor environments such as farms, stables, warehouses, and plant nurseries where they can serve as natural pest control. Adopters benefit from resources including vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and microchips for the cats before they leave the shelter. In some cases, adoption fees are waived. Since its launch, the program has placed 14 cats in new homes outside of traditional domestic settings.
Dazza’s involvement with animal shelters began during her time at FIU when she volunteered at Miami-Dade Animal Services to fulfill service hours for a pre-veterinary program. Her experiences led her to pursue various roles within the shelter system such as kennel attendant, veterinary technician, foster coordinator, clinic supervisor, and shelter manager before becoming assistant director.
“I wanted to save the most vulnerable ones while helping my community,” Dazza said.
She credits her education at FIU for preparing her for leadership in animal welfare. “FIU gave me the foundation to succeed—teaching me to communicate clearly, think creatively, and use resources strategically,” Dazza said. “I also gained leadership and problem-solving skills. The exposure also broadened my understanding of community health and animal welfare. Those experiences prepared me to manage large teams and make an impact in Broward County and in animal welfare.”
Dazza’s focus includes maintaining shelter capacity between 275 to 350 animals by streamlining operations to reduce their length of stay and improve quality of life. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from FIU and is a fear-free certified professional—a designation that emphasizes compassionate techniques to reduce stress in shelter animals. She also earned a Shelter Medicine Certificate from University of Florida’s Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program.
“Working with animals can be emotionally tough, and not everyone feels they can do it,” Dazza said. “But there are so many ways to contribute — taking photos, walking dogs, helping with paperwork, even organizing a fundraiser. It all adds up.”
Dazza encourages community involvement through adoption, fostering or volunteering at local shelters. She notes that donations—whether supplies or funds—and raising awareness about available programs also play important roles in supporting animal welfare efforts.
