General Information

The Department of Animal Services enforces the County's Animal Ordinance and the Florida Statutes relating to animals, provides an animal adoption program, foster care program, picks up stray, sick and injured animals, offers low cost spay and neuter assistance to low income pet owners to have their animals spayed or neutered, issues registration tags, investigates animal cruelty and neglect, and quarantines animals that have bitten someone. All bite incidents should be reported to Animal Services and to the County's Health Department.

Hillsborough County law provides that all dogs and cats be vaccinated and registered for rabies and that dogs be caused to wear current Hillsborough County rabies registration tags. All dogs must be confined to their owner's property and be restrained by a leash or under the direct control of the owner or responsible person when in public areas.

Animal Services is located at 440 Falkenburg Road. The telephone number is 744-5660.

Animal Traps

Citizens needing animal traps for their own use may buy or rent them from a variety of commercial vendors located throughout the county. These vendors are primarily tool rental, and feed stores. A list of stores known by Animal Services to sell or rent traps may be obtained by calling the department at 744-5660.

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Cruelty

If you suspect that an animal has been abused, neglected, or cruelly treated, call Hillsborough County Animal Services. We will send an officer to investigate the complaint and determine a course of action to correct the problem. Cases of intentional cruelty may result in civil citations being issued, or may be turned over to the State Attorney's Office for prosecution. Persons convicted of animal cruelty face a fine from $5,000 to $10,000, up to five years in jail, or both. You may contact Animal Services by calling 744-5660.

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Dead Animals

Hillsborough County Animal Services does not remove dead animals from roadways. Please call the appropriate municipality or agency listed below:

In Tampa, call the City of Tampa Sanitation Department at 348-1126.

In Plant City, call 757-9209.

In Temple Terrace, call 989-7170.

Dead animals on the state roads or interstate system are the responsibility of the Florida Department of Transportation. That number is 744-6038.

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Donation Information

The department welcomes donations of items for the animals' comfort that cannot be provided for in the department's budget, such as newspapers, towels and blankets, and new cat and dog toys and treats. For more information, contact Animal Services at 744-5660.

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Educational Opportunities

Animal Services offers experienced public speakers to community groups wishing to learn more about current animal issues. The topics covered can be tailored to address your groups' interests. For more information on scheduling a speaker, contact the department at 744-5660.

Lost, Found Animals

Missing Something?

Hillsborough County Animal Services accepts lost or stray animals at the shelter for impoundment. The agency may also impound those animals involved with violations of the County's Ordinance or the State's Statutes. If your pet is missing, visit Animal Services' shelter at 440 Falkenburg Road. Lost pets, pet adoptions, rabies tag purchases, and investigations hours are:

Tuesday - Friday - 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.,
Saturday - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.,
Closed Sunday, Monday, and Holidays

Adoptions close 30 minutes prior to closing times.

When an animal has any traceable identification, such as registration tag, or microchip, we will try everything possible to trace and notify the owner. To reclaim an animal, you must pay the appropriate redemption fee listed below:

The redemption fees for impounded pets are as follows:

Owners will also have to pay boarding fees of $12 daily, and have rabies vaccinations and rabies tags brought up-to-date. In order to return animals to their owners and identify repeat offenders, Animal Services may require the animal be microchipped before it is released. The fee for microchipping, if done at Animal Services, is $15. If the animal was sick or injured when brought in to Animal Services and required emergency medical care, the owner must also reimburse the medical fees incurred by the County. Fees can be paid by check up to a total of $150. Balances over $150 must be paid with cash or credit/debit card (Master Card, Visa, or Discover) only.

Note: The same fees apply to cats, but cats don't have to wear tags outdoors, if their microchip or tattoo is registered with Animal Services.

We will require proof of your identification and your current physical address prior to redemption. For more information, please call 744-5660.

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Sick, Injured, or Bite Animals

Animal Services will quarantine bite animals and pick up stray sick or injured animals within the County. Sick or injured animals are given emergency medical treatment. All outside veterinary care expenses and fees incurred must be reimbursed to the County before the animal can be released. Sick or injured animals should be reported to Animal Services at 744-5660 during normal department business hours.

To report a sick, injured, or bite animal after normal operating hours (between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, weekends, and County holidays), please call the department's emergency answering service at 654-6006.

In addition to providing care for sick or injured animals, the department may quarantine animals that have bitten someone. All bites in the county are investigated to insure the public's health and safety and the Florida Statutes pertaining to Dangerous Dogs are enforced. All incidents involving an animal bite to a human should be reported to Animal Services at 744-5660 or to the Hillsborough County Health Department at 307- 8000.

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Spay and Neuter Voucher Program

Every year, thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized because no one wants them. A proven way to cut down on that overpopulation is to have your pets spayed or neutered.

Today, sterilization is considered just a part of being a responsible pet owner. The cost of the spay or neuter surgery represents a relatively small one-time expense when compared to its benefits. A sterile pet is healthier, behaves better, and can never produce more unwanted animals.

To encourage sterilization, Hillsborough County's Board of County Commissioners, has initiated a Spay and Neuter Voucher Program to assist low income and indigent residents to have their pet dogs and cats sterilized.

The vouchers are funded from a portion of the fees charged for the rabies registration tags of sexually intact dogs and cats. Vouchers will be limited to four cats and four dogs per owner in a 12-month period.

If approved, a voucher for each animal listed on the spay and neuter voucher application and a list of participating veterinarians will be mailed to the applicant, who then can call a veterinarian to schedule the surgery. At the time of surgery, the applicant must present the voucher and pay a $10 administrative fee for each animal. The fee covers the cost of spaying or neutering one dog or cat and a rabies vaccination and rabies tag if the animal is not currently vaccinated.

Voucher applications are available at the Neighborhood Service Centers, Hillsborough County Public Libraries, Animal Services, and from Health and Social Services caseworkers, and Animal Control Officers.

Please be a responsible pet owner, spay and neuter your pets.

Pregnant, obese, or animals with any medical condition that will put them at risk may not be sterilized. The participating veterinarian will make this evaluation. Please call Animal Services at 744-5660 for more information.

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Vaccinations and Rabies Registration Tags

Hillsborough County requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets that are four months of age or older to be registered with the department and issued a tag. All dogs must wear the tag when outside. Cats are required to either wear a tag or be microchipped, tattooed, or have an ear tag when outside. The registration tag may be obtained from the department or a Hillsborough county veterinarian. A registration tag is a "free phone call home" for a lost pet. Registration tags cost $20 for a sterilized animal and $40 for a non-sterilized animal. Registration fees for ferrets are $5. Senior citizens age 62 or older receive a discount and may purchase a tag for a sterilized cat or dog for $5 or $25 for an unsterilized cat or dog. For further information, contact Animal Services at 744-5660.

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Vicious Animals

Hillsborough County Animal Services will investigate reports of vicious animals, and animals creating a nuisance.

All bites in the county are investigated to insure the public's health and safety and that the Florida Statutes pertaining to Dangerous Dogs are enforced. Any incident involving an animal bite to a human should be reported to Animal Services at 744-5660 or to the County Public Health Unit at 307-8000.

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Volunteer Information

Thank you for your interest in helping us help the animals in our care and the community!

Volunteers are a vital part of our shelter. Without our volunteers, we would not be able to provide the current level of programs and services to our community and its homeless animals.

• Learn how your time and talents can make a difference to hundreds of animals.
  
• Help unite lost animals and their owners.
  
• Take photos of lost animals for our web site.
  
• Walk, bath, or socialize animals looking for a forever home.

All new applicants must attend a brief 'Volunteer Orientation' session at Animal Services. If you have not signed up for a 'Volunteer Orientation' session, please call or email our Volunteer Coordinator for the calendar. We have opportunities for adults and teens 16 - 18 years of age. Call (813) 612-5388 for more information on volunteering at Animal Services.

See our Current Volunteer Opportunities List

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Wild Animals

If you have a problem with a wild animal, information may be obtained from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by 1-888-404-3922 . For information or services regarding alligators, contact the Southwest Florida Regional Office of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (863) 648-3200.