Orange County Animal Services
Our Mission
Orange County Animal Services is dedicated to providing compassionate care for animals in need while serving our community through responsible pet ownership programs and life-saving services. We strive to create a safer, kinder environment where every animal has the opportunity to thrive.
Serving Our Community
Since our inception, we have served as a vital resource for both pets and their people in Orange County. We address local needs by managing animal welfare challenges with professional care and community-focused initiatives that support the bond between families and their companions.
How We Care
Our organization operates through a dedicated shelter facility where we provide medical care, enrichment, and daily attention to animals awaiting their new families. We are supported by a passionate team and a network of volunteers who ensure that every animal in our care receives the attention they deserve while they wait for their forever home.
Finding Your Perfect Match
Adoption is the beginning of a beautiful, lifelong partnership, and we are here to help you find the pet that best fits your lifestyle. By focusing on thoughtful matching, we ensure that every adoption is a success for both the animal and the adopter. We believe that bringing a new pet into your home should be a joyful experience filled with excitement and companionship.
Join Our Mission
Are you ready to welcome a new friend into your life? We invite you to explore our list of adoptable pets online or visit us to meet our current residents in person. Whether you are looking to adopt, volunteer, or support our programs, we are grateful for your partnership in making Orange County a better place for pets.
Trust Assessment
GoldRated Sep 12, 2026
Municipal ShelterPhysical Facility
Online Review Highlights
- Affordable adoption fees
- Dedicated and kind staff
- Communication gaps
Coverage We Reviewed
OCFL Newsroom
9/29 - Orange County Animal Services Adjusts Pet Intake During Shelter Construction
Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) today announced that animal intake procedures will be temporarily modified beginning Monday, October 5, 2026.
WFTV
9/18 - Local shelters offer pet adoptions for $70 or less through September 30
Find your new best friend! Adopt a spayed/neutered, vaccinated pet for $70 or less.
WESH
9/11 - WESH 2 the Rescue: Tazi from Orange County Animal Services is ready to find a forever home
Tazi is a timid and sweet pup looking for a loving and attentive family.
The Apopka Voice
Improves Trust
8/31 - New Data: Orange County Animal Services saves more cats than 99% of U.S. shelters | The Apopka Voice - The Apopka Voice
Orange County Animal Services saved 7,191 cats during the 12 months ending in September 2025, according to a nationwide study by cat-care brand KittySpout. That placed the shelter among the top 1% in the country and represented approximately one cat saved every hour and 13 minutes.
WESH
8/25 - Clear the Shelters: Adoptable pets at Orange County Animal Services
Clear the Shelters | Meet adoptable animals at Orange County Animal Services who are ready to find their forever homes!
WKMG
8/11 - Coyote spotted near Orange County homes puts pet owners on alert
Residents of an Orange County neighborhood are adjusting their routines after a large coyote was repeatedly spotted near homes, prompting warnings from neighbors and guidance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on how to protect pets and deter the animal.
NewsBreak
8/9 - 🐱 Orlando Adoptable Cats — Kittens & Adults Ready for Homes - NewsBreak
Orlando has many sweet cats and kittens hoping to find safe, loving homes. Here are some wonderful felines from local shelters and rescues who are ready to
WESH
7/17 - WESH 2 the Rescue: Mona from Orange County Animal Services ready for new home
Mona might be big in size, but she also has a big friendly heart.
WFTV
7/13 - Orange County Animal Services moves July pet events to Barnett Park
OC Animal Services moves pet vaccination & microchip events to Barnett Park due to construction. First come, first served.
OCFL Newsroom
Improves Trust
7/7 - Adopt a Pet as Orange County Shelter Population Tops 350 Pets
Adoption fees reduced to $20 all summer, with a one-day $5 adoption event on July 12.
DogTime
7/7 - Dog Is Surrendered to the Very Shelter That Took Her in as a Puppy
An emotional video shows an eight-year-old shelter dog after being returned to her very first rescue years after being adopted.
WESH
5/22 - WESH 2 the Rescue: Lucky Lane from Orange County Animal Services
This vocal lapdog is looking for a family that takes it easy and enjoys chatting.
OCFL Newsroom
Improves Trust
5/13 - Protect Pets from Deadly Heat in Vehicles
Summer heat is a familiar part of life in Central Florida, but high temperatures can pose serious — and sometimes deadly — risks for pets left inside vehicles.
Orlando Weekly
5/8 - Adoptable dog Nalah is a big girl with a big heart
Nalah is a big girl, tipping the scales at 80 pounds. Nalah is strong and healthy, affectionate and sweet, but she can also be very protective.
OCFL Newsroom
5/5 - Dangers of Pets and Children Left in Unattended Vehicles
Orange County will hold a media event at Barnett Park to provide a visual demonstration of the consequences of leaving pets and children unattended in vehicles.
WESH
5/1 - WESH 2 the Rescue: Layla at Orange County Animal Services is ready for adoption
Layla, a sweet and timid dog that gets along with kids, cats and other dogs, is looking for a home.
Orlando Weekly
4/15 - Guppy, no longer a puppy, is an absolute tank
Guppy (A592492) at Orange County Animal Services Meet Guppy! This sweet tank of a dog is a 5-year-old abandoned stray. Though he looks small, at almost 60
Recent Videos
10/8 - **SMOKEY A461390** Meet Smokey, the most legendary dog we have at the shelter. He is eight years old, calm, sweet, and even a little goofy. Sadly, he is also an owner surrender. We have known Smokey from when he was a much younger dog, as he was picked up by one of our road officers almost 6 years ago. We had received a call about a large dog fighting off a bear in a local neighborhood, and when our officer arrived, there was Smokey. You read that right: fighting off a bear. Our officer did observe some injuries, some missing hair, but otherwise Smokey was just fine. He came to the shelter, was adopted quickly, and we didn’t hear anything else until 6 years later, when he was surrendered back to us. Smokey is sweet with people, calm but playful, and he enjoys his outside time. He’s selective with dogs; he likes some, and some he doesn’t. We don’t know why. Smokey spends the bulk of his day napping quietly and peacefully in his kennel, so we think his bear fighting days are long gone. But don’t let him fool you; when he is in the mood, Smokey will run, jump and play like a much younger dog. Smokey values his peace, and we think a quiet and calm home with a large sofa for naps is more his speed now. We know there’s a home like that out there for this brave boy. We want to help him find his perfect match. Let’s get Smokey seen. Let’s get him home. #adoptlove #adoptashelterdog #shelterdogs #toughdogs
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10/7 - This is Cassie (A606447). And this is her heart breaking story. Sweet Cassie is four years old, abandoned by her owner, and is partially blind and deaf. For most healthy dogs, navigating the shelter environment can be incredibly difficult. With Cassie’s limitations, it is almost impossible. She can’t always see what’s happening around her. She can’t always hear the people trying to reassure her. And when she’s left alone, that uncertainty can become overwhelming. Alone, Cassie panics. She cries out. She desperately looks for her person. Cassie seeks out comfort from people, and when she finds it, she does not let go. We know underneath all that fear is a resilient little dog who is trying so hard to survive. Cassie is a quick learner and has already shown that, with patience and reassurance, she can figure out her surroundings. She just needs someone willing to slow down and show her that she is safe. She needs a home where someone has the time and patience to help her build confidence, gently teach her that being alone doesn’t mean she’s been abandoned, and give her the emotional support she needs to feel secure. She would do best with older children and slow, thoughtful introductions to other dogs. She also needs someone who understands that even the simplest of things can be difficult when you’re struggling to see, hear, and feel safe. Cassie doesn’t need someone to feel sorry for her. She needs someone to see her. Someone who will look past her limitations and see the sweet, resilient dog underneath. Someone who will be patient through the panic, celebrate the small victories, and remind her that she is loved, and that she is not alone. Let’s get her seen. Let’s get her home. #adoptlove #adoptashelterdog #shelterdogs #adoptdontshop
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10/6 - Meet Dustin A606083, a 75lb muscular beast that is barely a year old. When you take him outside, you realize what you have: a huge puppy. Dustin is clumsy, doesn’t know his own size and strength, and loves to run and play. But probably his favorite thing to do in this whole world is play in water. The moment we turn on the hose and fill up the pool, for Dustin, the whole world disappears. It’s just him and water. He jumps in it, rolls in it, bites at it, splashes it, runs and dives in it. We don’t know a lot about his history, but one thing is for sure, Dustin is a waterdog. Sadly, Dustin was surrendered by his owners a few weeks ago, as they had to relocate to another state and could not take him with them. We have no idea how they could part with such an amazing dog. He loves people, he will steal kisses and probably knock you off your feet while doing it. Dustin can be stubborn, and he doesn’t like to be told when it’s time to leave the yard and go back to his kennel. To him, play time should be all day long. He’ll get mouthy and try to steal the leash, but luckily when he sees you’re serious, he’ll surrender his play time and go back to the boredom of his enclosure. Can anyone adopt Dustin? Sure, but we think not everyone will be able to handle his level of energy. This is a muscular, healthy, headstrong boy who loves to run, climb, jump and most of all, swim. If you’re looking for a cuddly and calm companion to share your sofa with, well, this is definitely not your kind of dog. But if you love the outdoors, long walks, beaches and lakes, boat rides and dock diving, then Dustin will be the perfect partner in crime. He is as tireless as he is sweet. For Dustin there are no bad days. He’s ready to go, anytime anywhere, and we’re hoping there is someone out there who will not see him as too much dog. Someone who will love Dustin for the dog he is, and match his incredible sense of adventure. Let’s get him seen. Let’s get him home. #adoptlove #adoptashelterdog #shelterdogs #adoptdontshop
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10/5 - This is Prest (A469639), and we have posted him before. He is a sweet 7-year-old, 73-pound gentleman who has been waiting here since January 29. That means Prest has spent over half a year watching people come and go. He has watched other dogs arrive. He has watched other dogs leave. He has watched kennels around him empty as dogs find their families, while he remains in the same place, hopeful, just waiting for someone to finally choose him. Prest isn’t asking for much. He isn’t looking for a life filled with excitement or endless adventures. He’s perfectly happy taking things slow. He’d be thrilled to greet you when you walk through the door, then follow you to the couch and settle in beside you. He’ll happily keep you company while you watch TV, nap, or simply enjoy a quiet evening together. It seems as there should be someone like that out there. But days turn into weeks and then into months. And Prest is still here. We don’t know why people pass him by every day without seeing him. Prest has the kind of gentle presence that makes you feel like you’ve known him forever. He’s just a big, lovable, chunky boy who wants somewhere to belong. Imagine this big, sweet boy finally having a couch to call his own. Imagine him no longer having to sleep in a kennel at night. Imagine him waking up every morning knowing that he isn’t being left behind again. Because Prest has already spent far too long waiting. He has spent far too long watching the world go on around him. And somewhere along the way, our shelter has become the place he knows as home; not because it’s where he belongs, but because it’s the only place he’s really ever felt love. But we know Prest has a family out there. Someone who will sit beside him on the couch and realize they somehow ended up with the very best companion. Someone who will look into his eyes and say, “You’re coming home with me.” Let’s get him seen. Let’s get him home. #adoptlove #adoptashelterdog #shelterdogs #adoptdontshop
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10/1 - **HAWK A600155** Imagine spending day after day in a kennel, watching people walk by you. No one stops to look and say hello to you. No one calls you a good boy. You watch your kennel mates getting adopted. You watch the dogs around you get adopted. And every day you hope it will be your turn. You hope someone will stop. You hope someone will see you. But no one ever does. This is Hawk’s story. Hawk is about five years old, and a stray with no history. He is sweet, intelligent, calm, good with people, great with other dogs. Hawk checks all the boxes except one: he has a skin condition. It’s caused him hair loss and dry skin. Though our vets are trying to treat it, nothing seems to be working. And because of the way he looks, sadly, Hawk is always overlooked. No one wants the ugly dog. No one wants the sick dog. People wince when they see his skin. No one takes him outside. No one asks to meet him. He spends most of his days sleeping quietly. The only attention Hawk ever gets comes from staff and volunteers. Because we haven’t given up on him. We know the dog beneath the skin, and he’s absolutely amazing. Hawk has a huge heart, seeks out attention gently, and his favorite thing to do is just lie in a patch of sunlight. When it’s time to go back inside his kennel, he stubbornly resists. But he’s not bad about it; a sweet word, a treat, a good scratch and Hawk surrenders to routine. Our hearts break for him, and all we can do is hope. Hope that someone will see what we see. Hope that someone will look past his rough skin to that soft heart. Hope that someday, Hawk will know what it means to be truly loved. Let’s get him seen. Let’s get him home. #adoptlove #adoptashelterdog #shelterdogs #sweetdogs
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9/24 - **FINNIGAN A605734** This is Finnigan. A sweet two year old stray that came in about a week ago. He was extremely shut down, to the point that we could not get him out of his kennel. He wasn’t aggressive, he was just scared. Our behaviorists tried everything: treats, soft words, even carrying him. But Finnigan refused to leave the safety of his enclosure. Then they took a chance, and tried using another dog. And this turned out to be the magic ticket. Finnigan absolutely flourishes around other dogs. He loves their company, and he seems to draw comfort from them. He mimics their behavior, if they are happy and bouncy, so is he. If they are friendly and affectionate, suddenly so is he. It’s actually incredible to watch. Unfortunately though, as soon as we remove the other dog, Finnigan shuts down again. He refuses to walk, does not interact with people, and just pulls away from everything. It’s heartbreaking. Finnigan is going to need a special adopter, preferably one with experience and a great deal of patience. And we truly believe that Finnigan will do so much better in a home with another dog. He’s shown us that there is a really sweet and affectionate dog in there. He just needs the chance and the courage to let him out. Let’s get Finnigan seen. Let’s get him home. #adoptlove #adoptashelterdog #shelterdogs #adoptdontshop
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9/23 - We are so happy to report that today’s adoption event, Paws and Patrol, was a wonderful success. We are so grateful for everyone who came out to support our animals, even with the weather not cooperating. We were thrilled to spend the day alongside our friends from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, who helped make the event extra special by bringing free ice cream for everyone. Sprouts also showed up, and kept the good vibes going with some treats, and Dutch Bros kept our amazing community fueled with coffee. The real stars of the day though were our dogs! They enjoyed pup cups, tasty treats, and more importantly, lots of love and attention. Today was a great opportunity for them to show everyone just how loving, goofy, and wonderful they really are. Events like this are about so much more than adoptions. They give our dogs a chance to get out of their kennels, experience new people and surroundings, build confidence, enjoy positive socialization, and just have fun. Every belly rub, every kind word, treat, and happy interaction helps remind them that there are still wonderful people out in the world. We are also incredibly grateful for our community who continues to show up for our animals. We look forward to more events like this one; to more wagging tails, pup cups, and adoptions Together we can get them all seen, and get them all home. #adoptlove #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptasheltercat
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9/21 - ADOPTION EVENT This Wednesday, September 23rd will be another day of coffee, companionship and second chances. Join us and our friends at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for our Paws and Patrol event! For the entire day, all adoption fees for all animals will be waived. It’s going to be an amazing day to come and meet adoptable dogs, receive valuable crime prevention tips from deputies, and indulge in ice cream from the famous OCSO ice cream truck. And we’ll also be joined by our friends at Dutch Bros and Sprouts, who will be providing coffee and treats as well. So come visit us, meet some amazing animals, and get some ice cream and coffee. Our shelter is currently caring for way too many wonderful dogs and cats that are all looking for loving homes. Every adoption creates space for another animal in need. Every adoption makes a difference. Come visit us, and make a difference in their world. Let’s get them all seen. Let’s get them all home.
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9/17 - **RIP A591227** This story is a sad one. This is Rip. Rip is barely a year old. And sadly, he has been part of cruelty confiscation, and has been adopted and returned not once, not twice, but three times What’s wrong with Rip? As far as we can tell, absolutely nothing. He is smallish, active, healthy, and extremely sweet. Back in March, Rip was originally part of a large cruelty case, and was confiscated. He didn’t spend a long time with us, and was adopted quickly, as most puppies are. And a short while later, he was picked up as a stray, and brought back to us. His adopters never reclaimed him. He has puppy energy, and when he was a little younger, he would chew on things like most puppies do. So he was adopted again, twice, and was returned for those reasons. For being a puppy who was energetic and liked to chew on things. Four impounds, less than a year. The sad part is that Rip is completely unaffected by any of this. He loves to play, and is still very much a puppy at heart. He loves to run and fetch and play in the pools. He loves to snuggle, and to be held. In Rip’s heart, nothing bad has happened to him. He’s just passing time until the right heart finds him. For Rip, every day is fun, and just brings him closer to finding love. Let’s get him seen. Let’s get him home. #adoptlove #adoptashelterdog #shelterdogs #adoptdontshop
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9/16 - **ADOPTION EVENT** Handsome Hiro (A600409) wanted to remind everyone about our adoption event going on today at the shelter. Come and visit us when we open today, from 2pm-6pm, and meet some amazing animals. Adoption fees are reduced to $5 for all animals (except puppies and kittens). We have more than 300 dogs and cats in our shelter who are looking for their second chance at happiness. If you have been thinking about adding an amazing pet to your family, there is no better time than today. Our friends from @the_pink_seahorse will be onsite all day, and they have generously sponsored the first 10 adoptions! They will also be here serving specialty lattes, coffee, and dirty sodas. Come get a refreshing drink, and stay to meet a forever friend. Hiro enjoyed his pup cup, and now this sweet and handsome dog will be here waiting to meet some new people. For anyone interested, this gorgeous and obedient dog is barely a year old, strong, energetic, incredibly intelligent, and just for today, only $5 to adopt. Hiro is ready to go home, which means he has been neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. All he needs now is the right heart to take him in. We hope to see you all today for our adoption event. Let’s get them all seen. Let’s get them all home. #adoptlove #adoptionevent #shelterdogs #adoptasheltercat
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9/15 - Join us Wednesday, September 16th for a day of coffee, companionship and second chances. For the entire day, all adoption fees will be just $5, making it the perfect time to welcome a new furry family member into your home. And we’ll also be joined by our friends at The Pink Seahorse , who will be serving specialty lattes and dirty sodas throughout the event. So come visit us, meet some amazing animals, and grab your favorite drinks. Our shelter is currently caring for way too many wonderful dogs and cats that are all looking for loving homes. Every adoption creates space for another animal in need. Every adoption makes a difference. So come visit us, and make a difference in their lives, and yours. Let’s get them all seen. Let’s get them all home. #Adoptlove #adoptionevents #adoptashelterdog #adoptasheltercat
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