About Us

Animal Services is proud of its shelter and adoption center which was constructed through the Penny for Pinellas one-cent sales tax. Located on a seven-acre, wooded tract in a non-evacuation zone, this state-of-the-art facility allows Animal Services to improve customer service and to better care for animals by

providing comfortable kennels, improved ventilation and quarantine isolation facilities. These features aid in the reduction of

disease and promote healthier pets for adoptions or lost pets waiting to be reclaimed.

At Pinellas County Animal Services, our mission of caring for the cats and dogs at our facility goes beyond providing a clean and safe environment. In addition to the operation of a very busy Adoption Center, we provide services to protect public health, safety and welfare. We are firmly committed to public education that promotes responsible pet ownership. Our licensed veterinarian performs numerous surgical procedures, including spaying and neutering.  We are dedicated to reuniting citizens and their pets and improving the quality of life for all of Pinellas County.

• Spay and Neuter – Information on pet overpopulation, myths about spaying and neutering and a list of low cost clinics.

• County License and Rabies Shots - A computerized pet licensing data base system tracks more than 180,600 dog and cats, and tracks approximately 375,000 pet licenses Countywide- helping to reunite lost pets and owners. Pinellas County has more pets licensed and vaccinated than any other county in Florida.

• Rabies Prevention Program - Public education to promote responsible pet ownership and rabies vaccinations.

• Animal Control - State certified Animal Control Officers provide countywide enforcement and assistance to citizens with animal related problems.

• Protect the public welfare and enforce the law regarding animal issues, such as dangerous dogs and feral cats. 

• Animal Services manages a registration and inspection program for pet dealers and kennels.

• Animal Services investigates approximately 2,080 animal bites annually.

• Speaking Engagements - Animal Services is one of the most requested County departments to give talks through the County’s Speakers Bureau to Pinellas County citizens, civic groups, schools and other agencies.

In Addition:

• Animal Services receives more than 356 telephone calls daily from citizens.

• Animal Services provides a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. Our volunteers are a great help! We need volunteer dog walkers, cat socializers, animal control officer assistants, kennel assistants and greeters.

• Animal Control Officers received approximately 32,600 service requests by phone from citizens, performed approximately 15,416 field service calls and served over 869 ordinance violation citations last year.

• We are an active member of the Pinellas Animal Partners. 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 County Veterinary Medical Society, and the St. Petersburg College Veterinary Technician Program.

• Pinellas County Animal Services has one of the highest number of pet adoptions and owner reclaims, and subsequently one of the lowest euthanasia rates in the state. This is based on 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.

• Animal Services hosts numerous veterinary students from various universities in a Veterinary Externship Program, and a student work experience program for veterinary technicians attending St. Petersburg College.

• Watch "Behind the Cages" for more information about what we do.
  

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