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Rehoming Resources

Animal Services is this community’s only open admission shelter. As a result, the shelter receives approximately 45 pets each day. While Animal Services makes every effort to find new homes for the shelter pets, there are more animals in need than there are available homes. This is known as the pet overpopulation problem.

The shelter should be the last resort for Orange County residents looking to rehome their owned pet. Animal Services can never guarantee that a pet will be adopted from the shelter, although every effort is made. In fiscal year 2022, more than 3,600 pets were surrendered to the shelter. Orange County pet owners are encouraged to explore the below alternatives before bringing their pet to Animal Services.

Resources for Pet Owners

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando maintains a registry of truly pet-friendly apartments. For those struggling to find an apartment that will accept their specific pets, this is the ideal resource to explore. More information here.

Happy Trails Animal Rescue offers discounted grooming services on a quarterly basis. More information here.

  • Happy Trails Animal Rescue operates a pet pantry to assist low-income pet owners. More information here.
  • The Humane Society of the United States has recommendations on obtaining assistance. More information here.
  • The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando offers a pet food pantry. More information here.
  • The Center Orlando has a Pride Pantry that boasts groceries, hygiene products and occasionally pet food. More information here.

  • The ASPCA has a number of recommendations for cat owners struggling with common feline behavior issues. More information here.
  • Local cat behaviorist The Fulfilled Feline is a resource to consider. More information here.

Oakland Animal Services provides recommendations for pet owners struggling with allergies that wish to keep their pets. More information here.

Rehoming Your Pet

Unless you are experiencing an urgent medical or behavior challenge with your pet, these resources need to be explored prior to attempting to surrender your pet to Animal Services.

Before bringing the pet to the shelter, Animal Services recommends first contacting the owner’s network of friends and family members. Many times, those within the pet owner’s network may be able to take in the pet prior to relinquishment to a shelter. A plea on social media for assistance is also recommended.

Be sure to post your pet on NextDoor, local neighborhood social media sites and consider the following Facebook groups dedicated to rehoming:

Thanks to rehoming websites, you can become your pet’s adoption agent, listing them and reviewing applications from suitors. Please be sure to post your pet on every rehoming site possible for best chances of finding them a new family.

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is a limited admission pet shelter serving the Central Florida area. Pets are accepted on an appointment basis. More information here.

There are many local pet rescue groups in the community which are able to take in pets in need of rehoming. Most operate through a network of foster homes, rather than a physical shelter. This enables them to hold the animals for extended periods and best match them with the right adopter. Rescue groups are operated by volunteers so please allow some time for a response when contacting them. Here is a full list of the rescue groups that actively work with the shelter.

Surrendering to Animal Services

if all alternatives have been explored and the pet owner is forced to surrender the pet, animal services is here to help with additional resources. orange county residents can schedule a rehoming consultation appointment to speak with animal services staff about options for the pet moving forward.

Rehoming consultation appointments can be scheduled here.

as the shelter should be the last resort for surrender of owned pets and the shelter is frequently at a high capacity, the surrender process to the shelter may take several weeks.

Orange County residents must show proof they live in Orange County and must be the owner of the animal. There is a fee of $15 per pet to help offset the cost of care. Please share any knowledge of the pet’s health, temperament, personality and background when surrendering. This will best enable Animal Services to match that animal with a forever home.

Surrendering for Humane Euthanasia (No Appointment Required)

Animal Services provides humane euthanasia service to Orange County pet owners who are facing a pet that is suffering from advanced age, debilitating medical conditions and/or severe temperament issues. This service is provided at any point that Animal Services is open on a walk-in basis for $15 per pet. Owners are not able to be present with the pet when the procedure is performed. For those that wish to be present the shelter recommends contacting veterinarians for assistance.

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