Frequently Asked Questions

What is the adoption procedure?

Visit the Broward County Animal Care. After you select the cat or dog you want to adopt, speak with one of our Customer Service Representatives to learn more about the pet and begin the adoption process. In most cases, you can take your new friend home the very same day!

How long do dogs and cats remain available for adoption?

Once available for adoption, some animals find homes within minutes, while others may remain at the shelter for several months. There is no time limit for most adoptable animals as long as they remain healthy, both physically and mentally.

Where do the adoptable pets come from?

About 75 percent of Broward County Animal Care's adoptable dogs and cats are lost pets that were not reunited with their families. The remaining pets have been confiscated or surrendered by their owners for a variety of reasons.

Do you have puppies and kittens?

The selection of adoptable cats and dogs changes daily. We recommend checking our website or visiting our Adoption Center frequently to find the pet that's right for you. Most puppies available for adoption will grow into medium or large dogs. Small-breed puppies occasionally become available but are less common.

Do you have a specific breed of dog or cat?

Information about every pet in our care is available on our website. The listings are updated throughout the day to ensure the information remains current.

Can I place a hold on a pet?

Yes. You may place an adoption hold on a lost dog or cat that is currently waiting to be reunited with its owner.

Pets with identification, such as a collar and tag, microchip, or tattoo, as well as confiscated animals, are generally held for five (5) days. Stray dogs without identification are held for three (3) days. Apparently healthy cats and kittens are placed for adoption, while community cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and returned to the neighborhood where they were found.

During this hold period, you may place an adoption hold on a pet or participate in our Pre-Adopt pilot program by fostering a lost pet while it completes its required hold period.

If the pet is not reclaimed by its owner after the hold period, we will sterilize and microchip the pet, if needed. Once those services are complete, you may finalize the adoption at Animal Care and take your new best friend home.

Someone else has placed a deposit on the pet I want. Can I place a deposit on the same pet?

Yes. One additional adopter may place a secondary hold on a dog or cat in the event the first adopter decides not to complete the adoption.

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Which pets are required to wear a Rabies Tag?

Broward County's animal ordinance requires all dogs and cats to wear an official Broward County Rabies Tag. Ferrets are not required to wear a county tag. Guard dogs and dogs declared dangerous are required to wear a special registration tag. There is a $600 fine for dogs and cats that are not vaccinated against rabies and registered with the County.

How is registration information used?

First and foremost, registration information helps Broward County Animal Care reunite lost pets with their owners. Animal and owner information is entered into our registration database. If a dog or cat wearing a Rabies Tag enters our Adoption Center, or a resident reports finding a pet with a registration tag, we can quickly access the owner's information and contact them.

Anyone who finds a pet with a Rabies Tag or tattoo, even if only part of the information is visible, can also search the Pet Registration Information Database to locate the owner. This search feature is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making it possible to help reunite lost pets with their owners even when Animal Care offices are closed.

Purchasing a Rabies Tag also helps support other shelter pets. Funds from tag sales help provide food, daily care, medical treatment, and spay/neuter programs.

My pet has a microchip or tattoo. Does it still need a Rabies Tag?

Yes. Broward County ordinances require pets to be registered by four months of age and renewed annually, even if they already have a microchip or tattoo. A Rabies Tag provides visible proof that a pet has an owner. Microchips require a special scanner to detect, and tattoos can fade over time, especially on dark-coated dogs and cats.

If your pet has a microchip or tattoo, be sure to keep your contact information up to date with the organization that registered the identification. A pet name tag is also recommended as an additional form of identification.

Does my indoor pet need a Rabies Tag?

Yes. Indoor pets are not exempt from Broward County's Rabies Tag requirement. Even pets that rarely go outside can become lost due to open doors, damaged screens, broken windows, storms, or other unexpected events. Every year, Broward County Animal Care receives lost or injured pets that escaped from their homes. Without a Rabies Tag or registered microchip, the chances of being reunited with their owners are significantly reduced.

How do I check or update my pet's registration information?

Visit the Pet Registration Database and search using your pet's tag number. To update your pet's record, select Record Update. You may also call Animal Care at 954-359-1313 to update your information over the phone.

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I've looked at Broward County Animal Care's website and I'm visiting the Adoption Center daily. What else can I do to find my lost pet?

There are several additional steps you can take:

Place a lost pet ad in the newspaper. Some newspapers may offer this service free of charge.

Create a lost pet poster with a photo of your pet and your phone number. Post copies throughout your neighborhood.

Talk to your postal carrier or delivery drivers. Because they travel through your neighborhood every day, they may be able to help spot your pet. Give them a copy of your poster.

Place an item outside your home that carries your scent or your pet's scent. Dogs and cats have an excellent sense of smell, and the familiar scent may help guide them home.

Can I be notified if an animal of the same breed as my lost pet arrives at the shelter?

Yes. You can subscribe to our Breed Notification System . For the next 30 days, you will receive an email each time an animal of the breed you selected arrives at the shelter. However, you should continue checking lost pets online and visit the Adoption Center regularly to see if your pet has arrived.

Is a rabies vaccination required?

Yes. According to Section 4-10 of Broward County's Chapter 4 Ordinance, all dogs and cats four months of age or older must receive a rabies vaccination every year, or every three years if a three-year rabies vaccine is administered.

Are dogs and cats the only carriers of rabies?

No. In South Florida, raccoons can also carry the rabies virus. For several years, Broward County Animal Care has distributed thousands of oral rabies vaccines throughout the county to help control the spread of rabies among raccoon populations. Because of these efforts, Broward County has not reported a case of rabies in more than five years.

If my pet or child is bitten by another dog or cat, how do I know whether that animal has been vaccinated against rabies?

When a bite is reported, Broward County automatically checks its records to determine whether the animal has a current rabies vaccination. If no current vaccination record is found, the animal will be required to undergo quarantine. We also recommend that anyone who has been bitten seek medical attention immediately.

What do I do if a bite occurs?

If you, a family member, or your pet is bitten by a dog or cat, seek medical attention immediately. After consulting with a medical professional, contact Broward County Animal Care at 954-359-1313 to report the bite. We will collect the necessary information and investigate the incident.

What type of volunteer opportunities are available at Animal Care?

Our volunteers support staff throughout many areas of the shelter. Opportunities include assisting with dogs, cats, and the clinic, as well as helping our customer service team and participating in community outreach and educational events.

How old do I have to be to become a volunteer?

You must be at least 16 years old to volunteer at the shelter.

How can I become a volunteer?

Becoming a volunteer begins with attending a mandatory orientation to learn more about Animal Care and our Volunteer Program. Please visit our Volunteer page to register and complete a Volunteer Application .

Can I bring my animal to Animal Care for medical treatment?

Broward County Animal Care is not a full-service animal hospital. We provide preventive care such as pet vaccinations, deworming, and flea, tick, and heartworm prevention through our Pet Care Clinic. If your pet is experiencing a health concern that requires an examination, visit our Pet Resource Dashboard to locate a veterinarian near you or ask family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors for recommendations.

Does your agency board pets?

Animal Care and Adoption is not a boarding facility. Boarding services are offered by private businesses and veterinary clinics. For a comprehensive list of resources, visit our Pet Resource Dashboard.

Are there pet-friendly places in Broward County where I can take my dog to have fun?

Yes! All Broward County parks (except nature centers) allow well-behaved dogs on a leash. Broward County also operates Barkham at Markham Dog Park, and several municipalities throughout the county operate their own dog parks.

• Broward County Park Locations
• Dog Park Locations

What does it mean to spay or neuter your pet?

Spaying or neutering is a routine surgical procedure that sterilizes, or "fixes," your pet so it cannot reproduce.

Spaying is the sterilization procedure for female dogs and cats. During the surgery, the female reproductive organs are removed. Once your pet has been spayed, she will no longer go into heat or become pregnant.

Neutering is the sterilization procedure for male dogs and cats. During the surgery, the male reproductive organs (testes) are removed, preventing the pet from impregnating a female.

Why is spaying or neutering important?

Sterilization is one of the most important things pet owners can do—not only for their own pets, but for the community as a whole.

Pet overpopulation is a serious issue in Broward County and throughout the United States. Every year, unwanted puppies and kittens are abandoned, leaving many without proper food, shelter, or medical care. As a result, many become injured or die.

Statistics show that for every person born, approximately fifteen dogs and forty-five cats are also born. To keep pace with that growth, every person would need to own two dogs and six cats during their lifetime (assuming people live 75 years and pets live about 10 years). A household of five would need to own 10 dogs and 30 cats.

Are there other benefits to spaying and neutering?

Yes. In addition to preventing unwanted litters, spaying and neutering offer several health and behavioral benefits:

• Improved health and longer life: Sterilized pets generally live longer, healthier lives and are less susceptible to certain diseases, including some forms of cancer.
• Reduced medical expenses: Healthier pets typically require fewer veterinary visits. Spaying also eliminates pregnancy-related veterinary costs.
• No unwanted litters: Spaying and neutering permanently prevent your pet from producing puppies or kittens.
• Reduced aggression: Sterilized pets are often less aggressive, less likely to fight, and may display more affectionate behavior.
• Less roaming: Pets that are not sterilized are more likely to wander in search of a mate, increasing their risk of becoming lost, injured, or killed.
• Less spraying and marking: Neutered males are less likely to spray territory, and spayed females no longer experience heat cycles and related spotting.
• Lower registration fees: Broward County offers reduced annual pet registration fees for dogs and cats that have been spayed or neutered, resulting in savings over your pet's lifetime.

How much does it cost to spay or neuter my pet?

Because pet overpopulation is a significant concern in Broward County, several low-cost spay and neuter options are available to Broward County pet owners.

How old does my pet have to be to be spayed or neutered?

Veterinarians generally recommend that puppies and kittens be at least four months old. Older animals can also be sterilized as long as they are in good health.

Will my pet have to stay overnight at the clinic?

No. Spaying and neutering are outpatient procedures, and most pets are able to return home the same day.

Will my pet be under anesthesia during the procedure?

Yes. Your pet will receive general anesthesia during the surgery.

Will I have to remove my pet's stitches?

Most veterinarians schedule a follow-up visit to monitor healing and remove stitches if necessary. Some clinics use dissolvable stitches, eliminating the need for removal.

Can my pet be spayed or neutered while in heat?

Yes. It is possible to perform the procedure while your pet is in heat, although your veterinarian will determine whether it is appropriate.

Will my pet become overweight after being spayed or neutered?

No. Weight gain is generally caused by overeating and insufficient exercise—not by the surgery itself. Spaying and neutering can actually contribute to a longer, healthier life.

Isn't it healthier for a female dog or cat to have at least one litter first?

No. There is no medical or health benefit to allowing a female dog or cat to have a litter before being spayed. In fact, this misconception contributes to pet overpopulation. Pregnancy and birth also carry health risks that can endanger your pet.