My dog, Sweetie, asked me to write to The Miami Herald readers on her behalf asking them to please vote “Yes” on Nov. 6 for Miami-Dade County nonbinding ballot question No. 240 to create an animal-care fund.

First, let me tell you about Sweetie. Her story begins in cruel abandonment when she was about 10 months old. Left in a dumpster to perish, she was rescued by a group of caring and humane construction workers who fell in love with her and her intelligent, soulful eyes.

Sweetie first spent time at the Miami-Dade Animal Control shelter until the workers there begged Friends Forever, an animal rescue group, to take her. That’s where we met — I couldn’t resist those eyes either.

If not for those who cared enough to do the right thing, Sweetie wouldn’t be here today. She is very grateful and to this day wags her tail enthusiastically when men speak to her in Spanish! She’s bilingual — a real Miamian!

A “Yes” vote for ballot question No. 240 will show our county commissioners that there is public support for a fund supported by property taxes (approximately $10 per $100,000 of taxable value) to help the county decrease the killing of some 20,000 adoptable dogs and cats each year, reduce the stray cat population, fund free and low-cost spay-and-neuter programs and veterinary care and promote responsible pet ownership.

Pet overpopulation is a public-health issue that affects all of us.

Please help to save a dog or cat’s life, adopt your next pet and vote “Yes” on No. 240 on Nov. 6 — Sweetie is counting on you.

Donna E. Shalala, president, University of Miami,

Coral Gables