Which pets are required to wear a license?
Broward County’s animal ordinance requires all dogs and cats to wear an official Broward County Pet License. Ferrets are not required to wear a county license. Guard dogs and dogs declared dangerous dogs are required to wear a special license.

How is Pet License information used?
First and foremost, it is used to help Broward County Animal Care reunite lost pets with their owners. Animal and owner information is entered into our license database. If a dog or cat with a Pet License tag enters our shelter or we receive a phone call from a resident who has found a pet with a license, the tag helps us access the owner’s information, so that we can contact them to claim their pet.

Anyone who finds a pet with a Pet License tag or tattoo, with complete or even partial information, can also access the Pet License Database to find owner information. This search feature is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, so even when Animal Care offices are closed, you can help reunite a lost pet with its owner.

Your purchase of a Pet License for your animal helps other shelter pets, too. Funds received from the sale of Pet Licenses go to provide food, care and important medical treatments for shelter pets, and $2.00 from every Pet License sold funds Broward County SPOT (Stop Pet Overpopulation Together) spay/neuter program.

My pet has a microchip (and/or a tattoo). Does he still need a Pet License tag?
Yes. Broward County animal ordinances require that pets be licensed by the age of four months, and renewed annually, even if the animal is already identified by a microchip and/or tattoo. A license tag on a lost animal is a visible sign that the pet is owned. A microchip can only be detected through a special scanning device, and tattoos can fade over time and become hard to decipher, particularly on dark-coated dogs and cats. If your pet is micro-chipped and/or tattooed, be sure to keep animal and owner information updated with the facility that applied the identification. Remember that animal name tags are also helpful as a secondary means of identification.

Does my indoor cat need a pet license?
Yes!!  “Indoor” cats are not exempt from Broward County’s Pet License requirement. And while you may think that your indoor cat will never get out, Broward County Animal Care receives cats at the shelter every day that are lost or injured. Some have been killed by vehicles. Not all of these cats are feral; many are a beloved family pet that has escaped through an open door, or a weak or torn fence or screen. The easiest way for you to be reunited with your cat is by ensuring he is wearing a current Broward County Pet License tag.

How do I check my pet’s license information and update it, if necessary?
Go to the Pet License Database. You can search the database by the license tag number, or your name. Follow the instructions provided for entering the license tag number. To update your pet record, click RECORD UPDATE. You can also call Animal Care at 954-359-1313 to update your record over the phone.

Back to Top

Rescue Program

I am interested in becoming a Rescue Partner, but my organization is not a 501(c)(3). Can I still apply?
No. While we welcome your interest, our Rescue Agreement requires that all Rescue Partners with Broward County Animal Care be a 501(c)(3) organization. There are other ways you can become involved. Please contact our Volunteer Administrator at 954-359-1313.

Can an out-of-state Rescue Group participate?
Yes, provided they are registered to do business with the Florida Secretary of State.

Is there a minimum number of years that an organization must have been in business to qualify as a rescue partner?
No. However, the group must have experience in rescuing pets and be able to provide the necessary care once the pets are released to your group.

How will I be notified regarding pets that are available for rescue?
Each day, an e-mail notification will be sent at the same time to all approved Rescue Partners.  Once you receive that notification, you will be able to contact Broward County Animal Care’s Rescue Coordinator regarding your interest in any of those pets.  In some instances, we may notify a particular Rescue Partner of animals available for rescue, if that partner specializes in a particular breed or a particular medical condition.]

Once notification is received about available rescue pets, is there a time frame in which a rescue group is required to respond if they are interested in any of the pets?
Yes. The notification bulletin will be updated daily. Your Rescue Group will have 48 hours to respond. In the event more than one partner is interested in a particular pet, the organization that first made contact with us will be given priority.  Additional partners will be notified of their status if the original partner withdraws interest within the 48-hour time frame.  

Is there a limit to the number of pets that can be released to my organization?
No, provided that the pets are given the proper care required as outlined in the Rescue Agreement. Also, pursuant to the Agreement, our rescue partners will be required to provide a monthly report on the status of the pets that are released to the organization.

Does my organization have to pay the $50 fee for a healthy pet?
If a healthy, vetted pet is released, the $50 fee is required. If a healthy pet is not yet vetted, but is in need of rescue, the Rescue Partner must agree to sterilize the dog or cat within 30 calendar days, unless the pet has medical conditions that would prevent the sterilization within that time frame as determined by a licensed veterinarian.

If the pet cannot be spayed/neutered for medical reasons at the time of release, can Broward County Animal Care spay/neuter and vaccinate the pet when it is better?
No, once the dog or cat is released to your care, the pet becomes the responsibility of your organization and cannot be returned to us for medical treatment.

What happens if a healthy, vetted animal later becomes sick, once it is released to my rescue group?
All pets are thoroughly examined by Broward County Animal Care and are released with a record of all medical tests, treatments and vaccinations given. Any known medical issues will be disclosed to you at the time of release and any further medical care will become your responsibility upon release.

Can I select the types of pets I want from your shelter?
No, only the pets listed in the Rescue Bulletin or through special notification will be available to you.

Volunteers  

What types of volunteer programs do you have at Animal Care and Adoption?
There are two programs that require different applications: a Volunteer Program, and a Community Service Worker Program. A Community Service Worker is an individual who is ordered by the court system to complete community service hours. Students who are required to complete service hours for school are considered volunteers, not Community Service Workers.

How old do I have to be to become a volunteer?
To participate in the Volunteer Program, you must be at least 14 years old. If you are between the ages of 14 and 17, a special Parental Permission Form must be completed and signed by your parent/guardian. This form must be included with the rest of the Application Packet when you send it in. A copy of your parent/guardian’s photo identification must also be included.

To participate in the Community Service Worker Program, you must be at least 18 years old and submit a Community Service Worker Application.

Every volunteer is required to undergo a criminal background check. Broward County does not accept volunteers with a felony offense.

What happens to my Application Packet once it is received?
Your Application Packet is reviewed to ensure that we have received everything we need to process your volunteer service request. If everything has been properly received and signed, a Background Information Form is processed. A background check is conducted by the County on all volunteer applicants. Once approved as a volunteer, you will be contacted by our Volunteer Administrator who will schedule an interview with you to determine the opportunities that most interest you.

How long does it take for my Application Packet to be approved?
You should hear from us approximately two weeks after we receive your completed Application Packet.

I’m a high school student. Will I be able to perform my required Community Service hours at the shelter?
If you are under the age of 18, your volunteer service opportunities will most likely be in supporting special events. You may or may not be able to accumulate all your required service hours with us.

Who can I call for more information?
You can contact our Volunteer Administrator at 954-359-1313.

Back to Top

Spaying and Neutering    

What does it means to spay or neuter your pet?
Spaying/neutering is a simple surgery that will sterilize or "fix" your pet so it cannot reproduce.

Spaying refers to the sterilization procedure that is done to female cats and dogs. During this surgery, the female reproductive organs are removed. Once your female pet has been spayed, it will not go into "heat" and it will not become pregnant.

Neutering refers to the sterilization procedure for male cats and dogs. During this surgery, the male reproductive organs (testes) are removed and it will be unable to impregnate a female.

Why is spaying/neutering important?
Sterilization is the single most important thing that pet owners can do, not only for their dogs and cats, but for society as a whole.

Pet overpopulation is a critical problem in Broward County and across the United States. Each year, unwanted puppies and kittens are abandoned. They then become injured and killed because they are homeless and lack proper care, shelter and food.

Statistics show that for every person that is born, fifteen dogs and forty-five cats are also born. To keep up with the flood of puppies and kittens, every person would have to own two dogs and six cats during their lifetime (assuming that people live for 75 years and animals for 10 years. A household of five would have to own 10 dogs and 30 cats!

Are there any other benefits to spaying and neutering?
Yes. There are health and other benefits to spaying and neutering, including:

• Improved health and longer life. Pets that have been sterilized live longer and healthier lives. They are less susceptible to diseases such as cancer.
• Reduced medical bills. Because your pet will be healthier, it will not have to go to the veterinarian as often, so medical expenses will be less. In addition, a spayed female will not be able to become pregnant, eliminating the need for trips to the veterinarian before, during and after her pregnancy.
• No unwanted puppies and kittens. Spaying and neutering permanently removes the chances that your female dog or cat will become pregnant.
• Less biting and aggressiveness. Dogs and cats that have not been fixed tend to be more aggressive and exhibit other undesirable behavior. They also tend to fight among each other more. Instead, pet owners report that their dogs and cats are more affectionate once they are spayed or neutered.
• Less roaming. Unsterilized males and females will often wander outside of their regular territory in search of a mate. This need to roam is dangerous since it greatly increases a pet’s chances of becoming lost, injured or killed.
• Less spraying and marking. A neutered male will tend to spray its area less. Messy spotting is also eliminated once a female is spayed.
• Lower license fees. In Broward County, annual pet license fees are significantly lower for a dog or cat that has been spayed or neutered. This results in tremendous savings over the life of your pet.

How much does it cost to spay or neuter my pet?
Because pet overpopulation is such a problem in Broward County, there are many low-cost alternatives available to pet owners.

• Broward County Animal Care and Adoption offers the SPOT Program for low-to-moderate income county residents. Under this program, spaying/neutering is offered to qualified pet owners for $10.
• The Humane Society of Broward County has a variety of different programs which provide low cost or free spay/neuters to the public. In addition, they have a Mobile Spay/Neuter Services Unit that travels throughout the county providing spay/neuter to the public. Call 954-463-7729 for more information.
• The Pet Aid League of Broward County consists of more than 20 veterinarians who will provide low-cost spaying and neutering. For more information call 954-463-7729.
• Stray Aid & Rescue offers spaying/neutering services for a nominal fee. For information and rates call 954-816-0799.
• SPAY/USA, is a nationwide network and referral service for affordable spay/neuter services. Visit www.spayusa.org or call 800-248-7729.

How old does my pet have to be to get spayed or neutered?
Veterinarians recommend that a puppy or kitten be at least four months old. Older animals can be sterilized so long as they are in good health.

Will my pet have to stay overnight at the clinic?
No. Spaying/neutering is out-patient surgery. Most pets are able to go home the same day.

Is my pet put under sedation during the procedure?
Yes, your pet will be given a general anesthetic.

Will I have to take the stitches out?
Most veterinarians will want to have a follow-up visit with your pet in order to check the healing process and remove the stitches. Some clinics might even use stitches that will dissolve over time. This will prevent the need for the stitches to be removed.

Can my pet be spayed/neutered while it is in heat?
It is possible to get your pet spayed or neutered while it is in heat.

Will my pet become overweight if it is spayed/neutered?
No. Overweight pets result from overeating and a lack of exercise. Spaying and neutering actually increases a pet’s lifespan and overall health.

Isn't it healthier for a female dog or cat to have at least one litter?
No. There is no reason – medical or otherwise – for a female dog or cat to have at least one litter before being spayed. In fact, this mistaken belief only adds to the pet overpopulation problem. In addition, your female pet could encounter complications during pregnancy that could put her life at risk.

Back to Top