The Department of Animal Services is a public safety, and humane animal welfare partner for the community. The Animal Services shelter is the only "open-admission" facility in the county.  This means that it accepts animals regardless of breed, size, or medical condition. Most of the kennels contain cats and dogs, but may also have adoptable rabbits, guinea pigs, birds or other companion pets.

Animal Services enforces the County Ordinance and Florida state laws relating to various animal-related activities, including:

• Investigation of animal neglect and cruelty  
• Education for dog-bite prevention
• Receiving and tracking dog-bite reports
• Quarantine of animals that have bitten someone
• Issuance of rabies registration tags
• Offering low-cost spay and neuter vouchers to qualifying pet owners
• Providing a pet adoption program 
• Picking up and sheltering stray, sick and/or injured animals
• Responding to animal needs after hurricanes/disasters

Be The Way Home The Plan to Increase Live Outcomes

Services Provided 

• Animal Adoptions 
• Animal Law Enforcement (local/state)
• Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program 
• Lost Pet Search 
• Pet Registration/Rabies Tags 

Services Not Provided

• Agricultural animals, such as horses and livestock 
• Nuisance pets, such as barking dogs
• Nuisance wildlife removal
• Deceased / Dead animal pick-up
• Veterinary care for owned pets