Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a leash law? Yes, all dog owners are required to keep their pets confined to their yard or have a leash on the pet when walking their dog off their property.
Is my pet required to be licensed? All dogs, cats and ferrets are required to be currently vaccinated for rabies and licensed in Alachua County. Discount licenses can be obtained from most veterinarians in the County. Non-discounted licenses can be obtained from Alachua County Animal Services.
What should I do if my pet is lost? You should go to the animal shelter during normal operating hours (Tue - Sat, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM) and look for your lost pet. While at the animal shelter, you should provide a description to shelter personnel. If your pet is not at the animal shelter, you should recheck every other day.
What can I do to prevent losing my pet? For dogs and cats, you should keep an Alachua County Pet License on your pet. If you fear that your pet may lose it's collar, you should microchip your pet and register the microchip with the microchip company and Alachua County Animal Services. Keep current photos of your pet.
What should I do if I find a lost pet? You should report finding the pet immediately with Animal Services by calling 352-264-6870. You may care for the pet until the pet owner is found; otherwise, Animal Services can pick up the pet to house at the animal shelter.
What should I do if I see an aggressive dog in my neighborhood? You should immediate call 911. Your local police authority will keep you safe until Animal Control Officers can be dispatched to the scene.
What can I do to prevent my dog from being declared a dangerous dog? If you follow the rules of being a responsible pet owner, it is unlikely that your pet will ever get into trouble. You should keep your dog on leash and supervised by an adult anytime the dog is off of your property. You should keep your dog confined to your yard.
What should I do if I see a coyote? It is not unusual to see coyotes passing our neighborhoods. When you see a coyote, keep your pets indoors. If the coyote presents an immediate threat, call 911 and the police will keep you safe until Animal Control Officers are dispatched.
What if a have a problem with a neighborhood cat? Alachua County Animal Services works closely with Operation Catnip, you can contact them by calling 352-380-0940. If you are not satisfied by their response to your complaint, you can contact Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6880.
What if I have a problem with a neighborhood dog? If the dog is running at large and you can safely confine the dog, Animal Services is pick up the dog. If you cannot safely confine the dog, Animal Services will patrol your neighborhood to look for the dog. If you know the address of the owner, you should ask the dog owner to control his/her pet. You may choose to send the dog owner a warning letter, if you do not feel safe contacting the owner. If the dog owner fails to come into compliance, you and your neighbors should complete an affidavit to begin the process of having the dog owner cited.