General Information

Pet Behavior Problems?
Is your dog or cat testing your limits? Don't give up on them!The Humane Society of Broward County can help you better understand and contend with your animal companion's behavior so you can live happily ever after! Call our FREE 24-hour behavior helpline at 954-266-6851 where you will be able to select the problem you need help with and a simple recording will talk you through the steps to correct it. If you still need assistance after listening to the recording, we will have a trained behavior counselor call you back to give you the extra help you need!

Before You Adopt a Pet - Check Out This Service
Thinking of adding a pet to your household? Before you buy, talk to Professional Pet Counseling first! They can save you hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars, avoiding costly and often heartbreaking mistakes.  For more information view the Professional Pet Counseling flyer (PDF–185.97 KB), call 561-392-3660, or e-mail greenpaw@bellsouth.net.

Susan Claire's Dog Dish for May/June 2008 (PDF - 136KB)

Check out the latest Oh, Behave Newsletter

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Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed to visit all Broward County Parks EXCEPT Hollywood North Beach Park (beach side), all Nature Centers and all Natural Areas. 

Strut with Your Mutt (PDF–115.71 KB) as part of your Commit 2B Fit™ activities.

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division promotes responsible pet ownership:

• All pets must be on a leash at all times.
• Remember, owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs - Pooper Scooper stations are located in all of our pet-friendly parks for the convenience of our patrons.
• Pets are permitted in all parks with the exception of nature centers and posted areas.
• Do not feed any animals in the parks. This applies to raccoons, cats, alligators, ducks, etc.
• Dogs are not permitted on mountain bike trails and horse trails, for the safety of the intended users of those trails.
  

In Case of an Emergency — Clinic Locations

Most pet owners have a veterinarian they trust to provide checkups and vaccinations for the well-being of their companion. However, your regular vet may not be available for an after-hours emergency. Ask your vet what you should do in an emergency the next time you visit.  Some vets will respond specifically to their own clients but not unknown pet owners.  Other vet offices will only refer pet owners to a nearby emergency pet clinic.

Before you need emergency assistance, pet owners should develop a plan and destination so that precious time is not wasted when your pet is in dire need. Parkpaws checked around and found a few locations that are open after normal business hours or 24 hours:

If Parkpaws subscribers know of other locations, please feel free to share.

The American Pit Bull Terrier — Helping to Understand the Breed

Marni Bellavia of HUMANEK9 Inc. Dog Training has written The American Pit Bull Terrier—Helping to Understand the Breed (PDF–20.05 KB). HUMANEK9 dog training firmly believes that every animal deserves a good, loving, lifetime home. Animals are not born "bad," but unfortunately they often fall victim to people who train them to be mean, aggressive, or destructive. This article will help you to better understand these very misunderstood dogs, the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier, and the Staffordshire terrier (also known as pit bulls).

A pit bull can make a great family pet, although it is not the dog for everyone. If you think this breed may be for you, ask yourself first if you are willing to learn all you can about them so that you can educate people and handle the negative image and scrutiny when out in public. Also, ask yourself if you will have time to train, socialize, exercise, and provide a safe environment for your dog. Finally, decide whether you'll be able to make a lifetime commitment to this breed. Only through responsible ownership can we change the image and the future of the pit bull. The television media, newspapers, Internet, and other forms of communication spread many myths about this breed. We'd like to help to dispel some of these myths.

For more information, read the complete article (PDF–20.05 KB) together with a comment on the article from Alan Davis, former director, Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division.

Parkpaws News Index

Pet Adoption Certificates Make Ideal Gifts

Giving a pet as a gift is a serious decision. A pet is a living animal and a lifetime commitment of care. No matter what a pet's age, its potential owner should take part in choosing the perfect pet.

That's why anyone planning to give a pet as a gift is encouraged to instead purchase a Pet Adoption Gift Certificate from the Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division. The gift certificate is more convenient for the giver, eliminating the hassle of choosing the pet and caring for it until the time comes. The gift certificate is also more fun and personal for the recipient, who can use it to select an ideal pet companion. The gift certificate is also better for the pet, which will not be thrust into the middle of the holiday activities.

Gift certificates are $74.95—the price of a standard adoption at one of the County's two animal shelters—and are valid for one year. Each gift certificate allows the recipient to select and adopt one puppy, dog, cat, or kitten from a variety of breeds, sizes, and colors. The fee includes a health exam with vaccinations, 14-day return policy, sterilization, tattoo, and license tag. Individuals (18 and older) must first complete an adoption application and receive approval.

The following are a few fun ideas for presenting the gift certificate:

• For younger children, place the certificate and a pet photo in a bright-colored envelope. Hide the envelope somewhere, such as in a drawer, and attach a long piece of string to it. Wind the string throughout the house and tie the other end to the bedroom doorknob or a holiday object. The child can follow the string to find the hidden treasure at the other end.
• For older children or adults, create a treasure hunt of clues to hiding places around the house leading to the envelope. Place the first clue in a wrapped box.
• Wrap a stuffed animal with the gift certificate.
• Wrap the certificate and a book about the care of the pet.
• Buy all of the supplies the new pet will need, such as a brush, litter box, food, and toys. Wrap them in separate boxes and place the gift certificate in one of the boxes.

Gift certificates can be purchased at either of the Division's two animal shelters. The Fort Lauderdale shelter is located at 1870 S.W. 39th St., on the southwest corner of Perimeter Road at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Hours to purchase a gift certificate are Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is 954-359-1313.

The Pompano Beach animal shelter is located at 3100 N.W. 19th Terrace, just east of Powerline Road between Sample and Copans roads. The shelter is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is 954-970-0130.

If you require auxiliary aids for communication, call 954-359-1313 (voice) or 954-359-1380 (TDD) before your visit. For more information, visit www.broward.org/animal.

Pet-Friendly Lodging

If you are traveling or otherwise need to find a place for you and your pet(s) to stay away from home, check out these pet-friendly lodging locations.

Search for a Pet-Friendly Hotel/Motel

Pet Safety Tips

Is chocolate a good treat for my dog? What are safe gifts for my pet? The answers to these questions and other holiday safety tips are provided by the Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division at http://www.broward.org/animal/ani01100.htm 

Nuisance Wildlife Information

Relocating wildlife animals into the woods or the "wilds" is not in the best interest of the animal. For information on what to do, please visit http://www.broward.org/animal/ani00500.htm.

Organizations That May Interest Florida Pet Owners

What's Really the "Law" About Animals?

Chapter 4 of Broward County's Code contains all the laws dealing with cats and dogs.   Any law enforcement officer or Animal Care officer can enforce and write citations for violations of Chapter 4. For more information about current laws and definitions -- click here.

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Contact Us

For more information, call the Parks Animal Care Specialist at 954-938-0617
or e-mail parkpaws@broward.org.

Adopt a homeless pet at Petfinder.com.
For Low-Cost Spay and Neuter, call Pet Aid League at 954-463-7729.

Back to Absolutely Animals Main Page

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