It is the law to license your cat or dog in Escambia County. Failure to comply may result in a citation or fine. License fees are outlined below and must be renewed annually. Learn more about pet licensing in Escambia County here.
If you have a missing pet, please check 24PetConnect under the Escambia County Animal Services and the “I Lost A Pet” section. If we have or you think we have your pet, you will need to come to the shelter with proof of ownership. Proof of ownership can include pictures of your pet, vaccination records, identifying marks on your pet, tags and/or microchips. If your pet is indeed at the shelter you will need your state issued identification card or drivers’ license in order to redeem. There will also be a fee associated with the redemption which varies with every pet, based on vaccination status, length of stay and other factors. (Please see the fee schedule for more details.)
The Animal Welfare and Adoption Center averages around 300 animals in our care at any given time, with several coming and going each day. Due to the volume of animals and changing population we are unable to identify any animal over the phone or by email. Please come to the facility to identify your lost pet.
All available pets are currently listed on 24PetConnect under the “Adopt” section.
If you are interested in adopting a cat or kitten, please feel free to come to the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center and walk through our available cat rooms. No appointment is needed in order to adopt or view the available cats and kittens.
If you are interested in adopting a dog or a puppy, you are more than welcome to visit the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center and view our available dogs and puppies in their kennels. If you would like to interact and adopt, please speak to the front desk so that we can get you and the dog into a play yard. Time in the play yard is needed so that we can provide our undivided attention to you and your potential new family member. In order to help you best, we will need either the Animal ID number or the name of the dog you are wanting to see. Please feel free to email animalshelter@myescambia.com, call 850-595-3075, or walk in for more information on a specific pet.
All available pets are on a “First come, First serve” basis and are not able to have a “hold” placed on them for adoption.
The Animal Welfare and Adoption Center would prefer to keep pets with their current families if possible. If your family is experiencing a hardship that is making you consider surrendering your family member, please contact us for a list of resources that might be able to help you keep your family together.
For your safety, please contact Animal Welfare and Enforcement to report a stray sighting rather than picking up the animal yourself. (Due to availability of space and/or manpower, the Department of Animal Welfare may be unable to take a stray animal you have picked up in a timely manner.) Due to the shelter being at a constant state of over capacity for care, we cannot guarantee that we can take in the animal you have picked up. You may contact Animal Welfare and Enforcement to report a sighting at 850-595-0097 ext. 2 or at animalcontrol@myescambia.com. If you have picked up a stray animal, please contact 850-595-3075 to see if an appointment is available to drop off. If no appointments or space are available, a rescue list will be provided to you.
Owner surrenders will be accepted by appointment only. If you would like to schedule an appointment to surrender your pet you may do so by contacting 850-595-3075 or emailing animalshelter@myescambia.com. The Department of Animal Welfare will also provide you with other possible solutions to finding your pet a new home, while you are waiting for your surrender appointment.
A rescue list will be provided to you so that you may try to keep your pet out of the shelter environment, a possibility of a sooner date, and a less stressful environment for your pet.
Help make a difference for the animals in your community. The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is seeking residents interested in serving as a foster or volunteer. Learn how you can help here.
Animal Shelter: 850-595-3075
Animal Control: 850-595-0097
After Hours Emergency: 850-471-6300
The mission of Escambia County government is to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance our quality of life, meet common needs and promote a safe and healthy community.
Under Florida law, IP addresses and both the content of emails and email addresses are public records. If you do not want your IP address and the content of your email or your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in person.