ANIMAL SERVICES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


 

1. How do I contact Orange County Animal Services?

By telephone: (407) 352-4390 Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. In person: 2769 Americana Boulevard, Orlando (South of I-4, just west of John Young Parkway)

 

2. What hours are the facility open?

Monday through Friday from 9:00am until 6:30pm, and Saturdays from 9:00 am until 3:00pm. (Applications for adoption must be submitted 15 minutes prior to the facility closing.)

 

3. How much does it cost to adopt a pet?

It's cheaper than free! When you adopt a pet from Animal Services, we will provide the pet with sterilization, rabies vaccination and a tag good for an entire year. All this can be yours for just $45 for a dog and $35 for a cat.

 

4. How do I qualify for an adoption?

You must be 18 years of age
You must live in a place that allows pets
If you reside in a rental property, you must first pay your pet deposit. A call will be made to the management of your complex, or your landlord, to make sure they are aware you are adopting a pet.

 

5. What kind of animals do you have at the Animal Services facility?

Animal Services offers adoptions of dogs and cats only. A wide variety of dogs and cats are available. If you are looking for a specific breed of animal, you may be able to find that breed at Animal Services. Over 25% of the animals that are impounded in the shelter appear to be pure-breed animals.

 

6. I already have a tag for my dog. Why do I have to get one from the county?

A county tag is not only a registration, but also a means for getting your pet back home if it is lost, or injured. Orange County Animal Services has officers on the road 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The veterinarians are usually closed on weekends, nights and most holidays.

 

7. Do I have to pay for a tag?

If your animal is fixed (spayed or neutered), there is no fee for your tag. When you have your dog vaccinated for rabies, your veterinarian is required to send us a copy of the rabies certificate. We will then automatically send you your tag. If your animal is fertile, there will be a $25 registration fee. If you plan on using your animal for breeding, you must indicate your intent to breed the animal to Animal Services.

 

8. Can I give my animal the rabies vaccination myself?

No. A licensed veterinarian is the only one who can administer the rabies vaccination to pets. Any other vaccination you want to give your pet can be administered yourself.

 

9. Is there a "leash law" in Orange County?

The Orange County Code Chapter 5 defines "at large" as: "A dog off the owner's premises, not under a person's control by means of leash, cord or chain, and upon public or private property without the consent of the property owner or tenant."

OR

"A cat which does not exhibit identification by collar and a current rabies license tag."

HOWEVER,

"A dog under supervision and engaged in hunting or agricultural and ranching tasks or a competition, trial or show shall not be considered at large."

 

10. What can I do about cats on my property?

When nuisance animals are found on your property, first establish whether or not there is an owner. If there is an owner, the best solution is try to work out an agreement with them. If the problem is not resolved, you should call Animal Services for assistance.

 

11. What can I do about a dog that barks all of the time?

First, contact the owner and discuss the situation to see if you can resolve the problem. If the nuisance continues, you can call Animal Services with the owner's address, and we will mail the owner a letter advising them of the nuisance their animal is creating. If the nuisance persists, you will be directed to attend Citizen's Dispute Settlement Court, which is an arbitration court that both you and the owner of the animal will be asked to attend. Hopefully, the problem will be resolved at this session.

 

12. What can I do about an aggressive dog?

If you encounter an aggressive dog, you should call Orange County Animal Services. If you know who the owner is, we will try to make contact with the owner.

 

13. If my dog is lost, how do I look for it?

If you are missing your animal, there is always a chance that it was impounded by Orange County Animal Services. Each animal that is impounded is held for a minimum of 3 working days before it can be adopted, and a minimum of 5 working days, if there is no request for adoption. We encourage you to come down to the shelter and look for your animal. Only you know what your pet looks like.

 

14. How much do fines cost?

Our citation fees vary according to the number of variables. The minimum fine is $32 and the maximum fine is $257. These fines are per violation. There are a total of 35 different violations in the current Orange County Animal Services Ordinance.

 

15. What is the difference between the Orlando Humane Society and Orange County Animal Services?

The Orlando Humane Society is a not-for-profit organization and operates solely on public donations. They handle all of the animals in Orange County that have been previously owned. The Orange County Animal Services Department is funded by Orange County Government and handles all of the animals without owners.

 

16. What services does Orange County Animal Services provide?

Animal Services provides many services to the public including:


o Low cost or free Spay/Neuter Clinic
o Registration tag sales
o Rabies control
o Responsible Pet Education Class
o Code Enforcement
o Animal Shelter
o Targeted Community Initiative efforts
o Lost and Found listing
o Adoptions

 

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