Orange County Animal Services requires an appointment for select services, please read below prior to your visit to the shelter.
Orange County Animal Services is currently open for in-person adoptions, with no appointment required. Guests are strongly encouraged to view the available pets on the Animal Services website prior to entering, to have an idea of what animals they are most interested in meeting. It is also recommended to review the adoption process prior to visiting. Please be advised the shelter concludes adoption interactions 15 minutes prior to close, to allow sufficient time for completion of adoption paperwork. Visitors aiming to visit the shelter near end of day are encouraged to do so at least 30 minutes prior to close. Visitors are required to observe CDC recommendations, including maintaining at least three feet of social distance from others and to wear a mask if unvaccinated.
OCAS is expanding the “sleepover program” to enable interested Orange County residents to take in a select dog or cat on a trial basis. Animals that are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped are available through this program. They can be taken home for a minimum of two weeks through this program. To see if an animal is a candidate, please reach out to AnimalServices@ocfl.net or make an appointment to visit the shelter. The selected animals will have the statement “Ask About a Sleepover” on their kennel cards. Please be advised our sleepover program contract requires the pet be kept separate from existing pets in the home for the safety of all involved.
Stray animals found in Orange County can be brought to Animal Services for admittance at any time during the shelter’s open hours. An appointment is not required for this service. Those visiting to drop off a stray pet are asked to remain in their vehicles so as to limit any unnecessary entry to the building. For stray drop off, please drive around to the far side of the building and utilize the call box. Press the button and let the representative know you are dropping off a stray pet.
Animal Services loves reuniting missing pets with their families! Pet reclaims are a key service offered by the shelter and are available without an appointment. If you believe your missing pet is at Animal Services, please visit the shelter immediately, during normal operating hours. If after hours, please email AnimalServices@ocfl.net and make plans to visit as early as possible the following day. Animal Services is open at a reduced capacity and able to permit a select number of individuals into the building during normal operating hours. Should Animal Services reach that capacity, any additional visitors will be asked to join a digital waitlist, remain in their vehicles and will be notified via text message when it is their turn to enter the building. Visitors are required to observe CDC recommendations, including maintaining at least three feet of social distance from others and to wear a mask if unvaccinated.
In order to limit the number of people in the shelter at any given moment, the shelter is requiring an appointment in order to surrender an owned pet. The shelter recommends that any person wishing to relinquish a pet first contact local pet rescue groups and the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. Orange County Animal Services is this community’s only open admission pet shelter and is always at risk of reaching capacity. Animal Services should be the last resort for surrendering pets, if all other options have been exhausted prior. There is a $15 fee for each pet surrendered. To make an appointment, please utilize this link: v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/shelterservices If you have an urgent situation and are unable to obtain an appointment and must relinquish your pet, please email us at AnimalServices@ocfl.net and we will attempt to accommodate you as best possible.
Animal Services is actively recruiting interested foster parents who have prior animal care experience, specifically those with cat and kitten knowledge. The shelter is in critical need of foster parents to help care for kittens that are too young for adoption or facing minor to moderate medical issues. Please visit this page for more information on joining the program.
The shelter could benefit from donations of towels and blankets. Any gently used items are welcome at the shelter and can be dropped off anytime within open hours. The shelter is also in need of dog treats, of any variety.
Orange County Animal Services is a progressive animal-welfare focused organization that enforces the Orange County Code to protect both citizens and animals. We provide service throughout Orange County, including all municipalities.