Broward County Animal Care And Regulation Division Rules Surprise Many
The Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division is the municipal agency responsible for enforcing animal control ordinances, operating the county's only open-admission animal shelter, picking up stray and distressed animals, providing 24-hour emergency services for vicious animals, promoting pet adoptions, offering spay/neuter programs, and issuing rabies vaccinations and registration tags across Broward County, Florida.
Mission and Core Responsibilities
The division's mission focuses on protecting both Broward County residents and animals through comprehensive services that include reuniting lost pets with owners, enforcing leash laws under Broward County Code Section 4-3, and responding to over 25,000 animal-related calls annually as reported in their 2025 fiscal year summary.
Established as part of Broward County's Health Department structure, it operates as an open-admission facility, meaning it accepts all animals regardless of space availability, with a no-kill policy except for irremediable suffering or confirmed dangerous behavior; in 2025, they achieved a 92% live release rate for dogs and cats.
Key duties encompass field services like stray pickups via a dedicated hotline, shelter management at 2400 SW 42nd Street in Fort Lauderdale, and community outreach such as low-cost vaccination clinics that served 15,000 pets in the past year.
Services Offered
Animal shelter operations provide adoption, fostering, and surrender services; for instance, senior pets enter the Senior Paws program offering lifetime free food, medication, and vet care, boosting adoption rates by 18% since its launch in 2022.
- 24/7 emergency response for vicious or distressed animals by calling 954-359-1313 ext. 9248.
- Stray animal pickup through Field Services at 954-359-1313 option 2, handling approximately 10,000 strays yearly.
- Rabies vaccinations and mandatory registration tags for dogs, cats, and ferrets per Ordinance Section 4-10 and 4-11.
- Spay/neuter clinics for pets and community cats, with over 8,000 procedures in 2025.
- Lost pet reunification, microchipping all shelter animals upon intake.
Contact and Location Details
The main Animal Care facility is located at 2400 SW 42nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM for adoptions and intakes by appointment.
| Service | Phone | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Services / Strays | 954-359-1313 opt. 2 | AnimalCareFieldServices@broward.org | 24/7 emergencies for vicious animals |
| Admissions / Surrenders | 954-357-9758 | admissions@broward.org | Appointment required for intakes |
| General Inquiries | 954-359-1313 | N/A | Ext. 9248 for ordinances |
| Adoptions | 954-359-1313 | N/A | $25 registration fee post-adoption |
Adoption Process
Prospective adopters visit the shelter or check Broward.org/Animal for available pets, complete an application, pay fees starting at $50 for adults (including vaccines and microchip), and register the pet within 30 days.
- Search pets online or in-person during open hours.
- Submit adoption application; approval typically within 24 hours based on home visit if needed.
- Pay fees and receive pet with starter medical kit; 2025 saw 12,500 adoptions.
- Mandatory rabies tag purchase for $25 annually.
- Follow-up wellness check encouraged via partner vets.
Recent Achievements and Recognition
In April 2026, during National Animal Care and Control Officers Appreciation Week (April 12-18), the Broward County Commission honored field officers for their bravery, citing 450+ vicious animal interventions in 2025 alone.
"Our Animal Care team exemplifies dedication, saving lives daily while keeping our communities safe," stated Commissioner Beam Furr on April 15, 2026.
Historically, the division evolved from a 1970s ordinance enforcement unit into a full-service shelter by 1990, with major expansions in 2013 via Ordinance No. 2013-10 updating Chapter 4 animal codes.
Ordinances and Enforcement
Broward County animal ordinances, codified in Chapter 4, mandate leashing dogs outside fenced areas (Section 4-3), annual rabies shots (Section 4-10), and visible tags (Section 4-11), with fines up to $500 for violations.
Enforcement involves patrols responding to complaints, issuing citations, and humane removals; in 2025, they conducted 4,200 investigations, reducing stray populations by 15% through TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for cats.
Programs and Community Impact
The Senior Paws initiative, launched in 2022, supports adoptions of pets over 7 years with sponsored care, resulting in 1,200 successful placements by May 2026.
Spay/neuter efforts target community cats, performing 8,000+ surgeries last year to curb overpopulation, aligning with Florida's 2024 animal welfare grants totaling $750,000 for Broward.
- Rabies clinics vaccinated 15,000 animals in 2025, preventing 50 potential outbreaks.
- Foster program housed 3,500 kittens during peak seasons.
- Partnerships with Humane Society of Broward (954-989-3977) for overflow adoptions.
Historical Milestones
Founded in the 1970s amid rising pet overpopulation, the division built its current 40,000 sq ft facility in 2005, increasing capacity from 200 to 500 animals.
Key updates include 2013's Ordinance No. 2013-10, banning gas chamber euthanasia and mandating microchipping, credited with a 40% adoption surge by 2016.
In 2020, during COVID-19, they pivoted to contactless adoptions, maintaining 85% capacity utilization.
Statistics Overview
In fiscal year 2025 (ending September 30), Broward Animal Care intake reached 28,000 animals, with 92% live release: 55% adopted, 25% returned to owners/field, 12% transferred.
| Category | 2025 Intake | Live Release % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs | 16,500 | 94% | High microchip return rate |
| Cats | 10,200 | 90% | TNR reduced ferals by 20% |
| Wildlife/Other | 1,300 | 75% | Rehab partnerships |
| Total Calls | 25,000+ | N/A | 15% vicious animal responses |
Future Initiatives
Looking to 2027, the division plans a $5 million expansion for expanded fostering spaces, funded by county bonds approved January 2026, aiming for 95% live release.
Community engagement ramps up with mobile vaccination units covering all 31 municipalities, building on 2026's pilot serving 5,000 pets.
This division stands as Broward County's frontline for compassionate, effective animal welfare, evolving since the 1970s to serve 1.9 million residents with data-driven programs.
Key concerns and solutions for Broward County Animal Care And Regulation Division Rules Surprise Many
What if I find a stray pet?
Scan for a microchip or tags first; if none, call Field Services at 954-359-1313 opt. 2 for pickup or bring to shelter by appointment via 954-357-9758 or admissions@broward.org; do not attempt to transport dangerous animals yourself.
How do I report a dead animal?
For public roads, contact Public Works at 954-385-2600 or 954-924-6808; in gated communities, notify your HOA; the division does not handle private property nuisances like rodents.
What about alligators or wildlife?
Report nuisance alligators (4+ feet, threatening) to 866-392-4286 (8AM-5PM) or 561-357-4200 after hours; only qualified FWC agents remove them, as the division focuses on domestic pets.
Can I volunteer or foster?
Yes, contact 954-359-1313 or visit Broward.org/Animal for opportunities; volunteers logged 5,000 hours in 2025, aiding fosters for 2,000+ animals.
Is euthanasia ever used?
Only for untreatable suffering or proven danger, not space or breed; less than 3% of intakes in 2025.
How to get a pet license?
After adoption or vet rabies vaccine, pay $25 at shelter or online via Broward.org/Animal; annual renewal required.