About Us

At Pinellas County Animal Services, our mission of caring for the cats and dogs at our facility go beyond providing a clean, safe environment. In addition to the operation of a very busy Adoption Center, we provide the services and public education that promote responsible pet ownership. Our licensed veterinarian performs numerous surgical procedures, a majority of them spaying and neutering.

• Spay and neuter programs - To reduce overpopulation, Animal Services provides low cost sterilization to animals belonging to qualified low-income families.
• Issues county pet licenses - Computerized pet licensing data base system tracks annual licenses for more than 180,600 dog and cats, and tracks approximately 375,000 pets Countywide helping to reunite lost pets and owners.  Subsequently, Pinellas County has more pets licensed and vaccinated than any other County in the State.
• Rabies control and vaccination of dogs and cats. Administers an active rabies prevention program. Public education efforts are a very important part of helping residents to be responsible pet owners. Oral Rabies Vaccine Baits (ORV) continue to be utilized within the County to control the spread & outbreak of the deadly rabies virus.
• Animal Services provides state certified Animal Control Officers to provide countywide code enforcement, assistance to citizens with animal related problems
• We are tasked with protecting the public welfare and are responsible for enforcing the law regarding animal issues, such as dangerous dogs and feral cats.
• Lost and Found - In 2009 over 2,600 lost pets were reunited with their owners.
• Animal Services manages a registration and inspection program for pet dealers and kennels.
• Animal Services Rabies/Bite department investigates approximately 2,035 animal bites annually, of which 1,239 were Dog Bites in CY09.
• Directly support the education of some Pinellas County School children through the “Pet Professor Program” sponsored by the Pinellas Animal Foundation since 1985, educating them on “Responsible Pet Ownership” and more.
• One of the top requested County departments through the County’s “Speakers Bureau” to give speaking engagements on various topics to Pinellas County citizens, civic groups and other public and county agencies.

• The Director of Animal Services is a licensed veterinarian and is assisted by Certified Veterinary Technicians.
• Last year the Shelter & Adoption Center cared for over 24,990 dogs and cats.
• Animal Services receives more than 900 telephone calls daily from citizens.

• Animal Services provides a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. Our volunteers are a great help! We have photographers, dog walkers and cat petters to name a few.

• Animal Services manages an inspection program for pet dealerships and kennels.
• In 2009, approximately 6,000 dogs and cats were adopted, and more than 5,500 surgeries were performed. Approximately 13,000 unhealthy and/or aggressive dog and cats were euthanized.
• Animal Control Officers received approximately 32,600 service requests, contacted almost 22,500 citizens on such requests, and served approximately 750 various citations.
• State Certified Animal Control Officers provide countywide enforcement and assistance to citizens with animal related problems.
• Active member of the PINELLAS ANIMAL PARTNERS (PAP). This organization enhances working relationships and communications among the people and humane organizations on the front line of animal care and animal welfare.  The members work together to develop strategies for dealing with a wide range of animal issues.  This organization includes Pinellas County Animal Services, SPCA, Humane Society of Pinellas, Pet Pal Animal Shelter, Pinellas Animal Foundation , Pinellas County Veterinary Medical Society, and the St. Petersburg Junior College Veterinary Technician Program.
• Statistical comparisons with various large metropolitan areas such as Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Palm Beach, and Orange County Animal Services, it was determined that Pinellas County Animal Services has one of the largest number of pet adoptions, owner reclaims, and subsequently one of the lowest euthanasia rates in the state.
• Animal Services hosts numerous Veterinary Students from various Universities in a Veterinary Externship Program, and a student work experience program for Veterinary Technicians attending the St. Petersburg College.
  

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