Others keep the dogs under one roof.

To be able to rescue dogs while still abiding by the law, Jamie’s Rescue fosters mostly litters as she said there is no limit on how many puppies can be in a home.

Paws 4 You, meanwhile, has been working to smooth out zoning-law details that would help it obtain a kennel license.

So after years of struggle with finances and with the county, Caridad has learned to take the curve balls as they come.

“At this point, we just say ‘bring it on’.”

Pet overpopulation has been a problem in Miami-Dade County for years. And St. Aubin said the problem will not end unless people spay and neuter their pets.

The pet-lover community has pushed for the Pets Trust initiative that would help provide low-cost spay/neuter and veterinary-care services. On the Nov. 6 ballot, county voters will have a say on whether to approve paying an extra $10 for every $100,000 of property values to fund the program.

If enough residents vote in favor of the Pets Trust, the county commission would have to approve the program as well before it is implemented.

‘Every Dog Here has a Story’

Moca, a French bulldog-pug mix who is blind in her right eye had been bred, bred, and bred again for profit. She was rescued along with her most recent litter.

Rosco, a bullmastiff mix, was found tied up to a chain and dragged by a man on a bicycle.

And Sammy, an all-white jack-Russell mix, had four hours left to live at the county shelter .

Now they have all been rescued by Robinson and enjoy their temporary stay at the nearly one-acre home where she nurtures puppies and some full-grown dogs back to health.

“Every dog here has a story,” said Robinson. “When they get here, this is like paradise for them,” she said as she pointed to the backyard where the dogs can run and play.

For Caridad, with Paws 4 You, it is difficult to pick the most compelling rescue story – there are just so many dogs that have been saved from neglect, disease and death.

There is Bandit, a 7-year-old beagle who sat at the shelter for a month during the last distemper outbreak in December until Caridad took him in.

“He is a little scaredy-cat. But just because he has issues, doesn’t mean we toss him aside,” said Caridad.

And there is Lucky Girl, a 5-year-old shepherd mix, who was accidentally buried alive in Homestead. Someone heard her whimpers and brought her to Paws 4 You.

For St. Aubin, founder of This Is The Dog!, it is Oreo’s story that stands out.

She nursed the pointer mix for a year but received only a few inquiries from potential adopters.

Then one day she took Oreo to an adoption event at Petco and a family walked in.

“Their son was slightly autistic and they were looking for a dog he could call his own,” said St. Aubin. So they took Oreo.

After an entire year of looking for a home for this dog, St. Aubin’s efforts finally paid off – and Oreo’s adoption gave her the strength and hope to continue her work.

“Now the boy has a friend for life,” she said. “There is somebody out there for every dog.”

Miami Herald Staff Writer Elinor J. Brecher contributed to this story.