MISSION STATEMENT

Escambia County Animal Services includes both Animal Control and the Escambia County Animal Shelter. Animal Control is dedicated to public safety and the welfare of animals in our community. Our officers are tasked with enforcing state and local laws to protect both the animals and citizens of Escambia County. The Animal Shelter provides temporary care for homeless or confiscated animals. The staff at the shelter work diligently to provide exceptional care for all animals in their oversight. Homes are sought using a variety of programs including adoptions, fosters, transfers to rescue organizations, and transports to shelters in other states that are lacking adoptable pets. Both departments provide humane education to county residents to help them better care for their pets.

FY 2017-2018 Accomplishments

• Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter received a grant from Rescue Rebuild that was used to remodel the Escambia County Animal Shelter. The remodel allows for more enrichment programs for the animals housed at the shelter and improves their chances of getting adopted.
• Eagle Scouts participated in a bed build where they made beds for the dogs to use in their kennels.
• Military volunteers helped build fencing around the shelter.
• Animal Services added new software that allows Animal Control officers and shelter staff to work using tablets. This will improve efficiency both in the shelter and in the field.
• Animal Control began the process of upgrading vehicles in the Animal Control fleet to improve safety for officers, citizens and animals.
• Animal Services continued our agreement with Pensacola State College Veterinary Technician program, which allows them to use the Escambia County Animal Services vet clinic as a clinical rotation site for their students. Students will work directly with staff veterinarian Dr. Lee and her team to learn preventative shelter medicine and/or rehabilitation of injured or abused animals.
• Animal Services and Santa Rosa Island Authority reached an agreement to add an Animal Control officer to patrol Pensacola Beach.
• Entered into an agreement with Santa Rosa Island Authority to add an officer, allowing Animal Control to focus on Pensacola Beach animal issues.

Animal Shelter and Animal Control Stats

• Adopted 1,844 and transferred 1,086 animals from the shelter.
• Shelter staff helped to return 565 lost pets to their owners.
• Animal control answered 7,980 calls for assistance.
• Investigated 3,713 complaints of nuisance, bites or cruelty situations.
• Handled 2,469 roaming-at-large complaints.