Picolinis Animal Rescue Named Top 5 Finalist in the 2026 Defender Service Awards

MIAMI, FL— Miami-based Picolinis Animal Rescue is excited to announce it has made it to the Top 5 Finalists for the 2026 Defender Service Awards powered by Chase Bank for the Animal, Wildlife & Marine Mammal Welfare Category and are encouraging animal lovers to vote for the organization daily and in turn, support its mission to rescue and save helpless, injured, abandoned, senior and special needs dogs and cats who are facing euthanasia at local shelters or found homeless on the streets in the South Florida area. 

Voting runs through August 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST online at https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events-and-sponsorships/defender-service-awards/vote/animal-welfare.html#voting-now-open.

Presented by Chase Bank, each category finalist will be given a $5,000 cash prize to aid in their services, while the winners in each category will receive $30,000 USD. “We’re up against four other pretty large organizations, but we’re hoping we can encourage local Miami residents to vote daily and help us win and continue our mission! This funding would directly help us save more animals in need,” said Sofia Valverde, founder and director of Picolinis Animal Rescue, Inc. 

Founded in 2020 by Valverde after spending decades rescuing animals on her own, she used her love for her own rescue animals to start Picolinis Animal Rescue. Now, more than six years later, Valverde and her network of fosters, volunteers and friends remain committed to saving injured and special needs animals minutes from euthanasia at local shelters or found the streets of Miami. “We rescue some of the region’s most vulnerable animals here in South Florida. Unfortunately if a dog comes into a local shelter injured and in need of medical care, they are euthanized because the county doesn’t have the resources or medical care available in the shelter. This is where we come in. We pull injured dogs or cats and get them the medical care they need. From dogs hit by cars with broken femurs to special needs dogs and hospice cancer dogs, we have rescued over 300 animals so far and provided them the care and love they need to enjoy their last days on earth. The funds from this contest will go directly to helping us pay for medical vet visits, dog food and other necessary supplies needed to rehabilitate and foster our rescue dogs,” Valverde stated.  

Supporters and advocates of Picolinis Animal Rescue are encouraged to vote once daily— all that is needed is a valid email address. “Voting only takes a few seconds of time on your phone, but can help us change and improve the lives of many hurt and suffering dogs who are in need of care, love and support,” Valverde continued. 

According to the latest report from the Best Friends Animal Society, over 378,000 dogs and cats are euthanized in U.S. shelters every year with Florida ranking among the top five states with the highest number of dogs and cats euthanized in shelters. This represents 54% of all euthanized animals. “It’s our mission to rescue animals from being killed in shelters who otherwise can live normal lives if provided the proper medical treatment and love from a human. We want to get this shelter euthanasia number down and ensure that animals do not leave this earth without experiencing love, safety and compassion,” Valverde said. 

ABOUT PICOLINIS ANIMAL RESCUE INC. 

Picolinis Animal Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit animal rescue organization registered with the state of Florida that specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming injured, special needs, hospice and senior dogs in need of medical treatment, a second chance and/or a loving home. Founded by Sofia Valverde in 2020, the non-profit has rescued and rehabilitated over 300 dogs that were found on the streets of Miami or abandoned at shelters by their owners because they became ill, diagnosed with a disease, lost a limb or simply were “too old.” To learn more about the organization and its mission or to volunteer as a foster or donate, please visit  https://picolinisanimalrescue.org and follow the organization on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/picolinis_animal_rescue. 

One-time donations even as small as $1, $5 or $10 can be donated via Picolinis’s PayPal account: https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=0vD0W0dIM7Yw_pe0BRqAw4iW6Xt1pyeplGIe1EW9NJMJxY_98PS_1zyzFZGtLHzpb8_lG8PvJCVqGeja

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VOTE FOR PICOLINIS NOW 👉https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events-and-sponsorships/defender-service-awards/vote/animal-welfare.html#voting-now-open