COVID-19

Orange County Animal Services is currently offering in-person adoptions with an appointment. Adoption appointments become available 25 hours prior to the scheduled arrival time. For example, an appointment for 10 a.m. on a Monday will become available at 9 a.m. on the Sunday prior. This modification to our appointment scheduling program ensures that those booking have an immediate interest in adopting. Those booking appointments are encouraged to review the list of current shelter pets, viewable here, as those are the pets that will most likely be available during the visit.

Adoption appointments are limited so the shelter is asking individuals to only make one appointment for visitation per week and to only make an appointment if seriously considering adoption.

To make an appointment, please utilize this link: v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/ocasdailybookings. Pets are available for adoption on a first come, first served basis.

Party size is limited to two people at this time to reduce the number of visitors so please plan accordingly.

Those visiting the shelter will be required to wear a mask and submit to temperature screening prior to entry. Anyone experiencing a fever, cough, difficult breathing, pneumonia, who has been exposed to someone confirmed to have COVID-19 or traveled outside of the country within the past month is required to postpone their visit to a later time.

 

The shelter launched the virtual adoption program in mid-April, making select pets available for adoption with minimized human-to-human contact. The pets eligible for virtual adoption are identified with a small phone icon on the top left corner of their image on the page featuring available shelter pets.

To find out more, click on a pet’s profile picture and read the accompanying details on the pop-up. Pets eligible for virtual adoption will have a statement clarifying that, as well as a link to a page to inquire. Pets not eligible for virtual adoption will have a statement reflecting that as well.

Inquiring about a pet eligible for virtual adoption does not reserve them, pets can only be held once the interaction and application has taken place.

Interactions can occur via FaceTime or Webex, allowing the interested person to meet the pet without visiting the shelter and without an in-person adoption appointment. If the interaction goes well and the person wishes to proceed, the adoption application can be completed digitally and pickup coordinated with staff.

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 being able to reunite missing pets with their families! Pet reclaims are a key service offered by Animal Services and are available with an appointment. If you believe your missing pet is at Animal Services, please make an appointment to visit utilizing this link: v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/shelterservices. Under the “Shelter Services” section appointments are available for those seeking to identify their lost pet.

Those visiting the shelter will be required to wear a mask and submit to temperature screening prior to entry. Anyone experiencing a fever, cough, difficult breathing, pneumonia, who has been exposed to someone confirmed to have COVID-19 or traveled outside of the country within the past month is asked to call or email for assistance.

If, for any reason, you have difficulty securing an appointment to reclaim your pet or have any questions about the process, please email AnimalServices@ocfl.net.

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.

For the current time, the mobile spay/neuter clinic is suspended, to reduce risk. We look forward to resuming normal operations as soon as possible. Please monitor the website for updates on that service.