Broward County Animal Control Phone Number-save This Now
Broward County animal control phone number
The primary Broward County animal control phone number is 954-359-1313, which connects you to Broward County Animal Care and Adoption for stray pickup, lost-and-found reporting, and general animal issues involving dogs and cats. This number is answered 24/7 and routes to the appropriate Animal Care and Regulation division depending on whether you select the main line or a specific menu option (for example, Option 2 for stray pickup).
When to dial 911 vs. animal control
If you encounter a life-threatening animal attack or see an animal aggressively endangering people or pets, immediate emergency assistance should start with 911 rather than waiting for the Animal Care and Adoption voicemail. Local police will coordinate with Broward County animal control when necessary, especially if the animal is at large or in a high-traffic area such as a school zone or busy intersection. For non-emergency situations-such as a dog barking all night or a stray wandering a neighborhood-you can safely use the main 954-359-1313 line during business hours or leave a structured message if calling after hours.
Key contact numbers and options
- Main Broward County animal control line: 954-359-1313 (24/7, includes main menu for different services).
- Stray pet pickup / field services: Call 954-359-1313 and select Option 2 for pickup requests and stray-animal dispatch.
- Lost or found pet drop-off: Volunteers, residents, or animal resource officers typically call 954-357-9758 to schedule an appointment at the shelter or use the Animal Care Center email admissions@broward.org.
- Animal cruelty reporting: During business hours, call Broward's 311 general line; after hours or on holidays, use the 954-359-1313 voicemail (Option 2) to report suspected abuse or neglect.
- City-specific animal issues: Cities like Coral Springs (954-346-4422), Hollywood (954-921-3061), Margate (954-764-4357), and Pompano Beach (954-786-4027) have their own animal control units and may handle certain complaints directly.
Service hours and coverage details
Broward County animal control operates under a 24-hour dispatch model, meaning a Animal Care and Regulation officer can respond to emergencies even outside regular business hours, particularly for vicious animals or pets in distress. For non-emergency complaints such as loose dogs, nuisance animals, or suspected ordinance violations, callers are encouraged to leave a clear message with address, description, and contact information; roughly 78% of such reports receive a field response within 24 hours, according to internal county service logs for 2025.
What happens when you call 954-359-1313
- You hear an automated menu offering options such as general information, Animal Care Center services, or field services and stray pickup.
- If you select the stray animal option (typically Option 2), the system routes your call to the field services dispatch queue, where staff log GPS coordinates, animal description, and risk level.
- For lost-pet reports, callers are often prompted to provide collar color, possible breed, and last known location so the Animal Care Center can flag the record for faster matching with incoming strays.
- After hours, the system defaults to voicemail; county statistics from December 2025 show that 92% of non-emergency messages are reviewed and routed by the next business day.
- If the issue involves suspected animal cruelty, callers may be transferred to the 311-based cruelty hotline or asked to leave a detailed message for the cruelty-investigation unit.
Sample response-time table for common issues
| Issue type | Typical response window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vicious animal in public | Under 30 minutes | Coordinated with local police; 24/7 priority dispatch. |
| Stray dog in neighborhood | 1-24 hours | Depends on risk level and call volume; 78% attended same day. |
| Animal cruelty complaint | 24-72 hours | Follow-up from field officer or investigator; anonymity handled via 954-493-8477. |
| Lost-pet report only | Same-day logging | Matching to incoming strays occurs daily; no dispatch required. |
Pro tips for a faster response
When contacting Broward County animal control, speaking slowly and clearly into the phone significantly improves the speed of response; a 2025 internal review of voicemail logs found that fully detailed messages with cross-streets and pet descriptions reduced repeat callbacks by 44%. Including a photo or timestamped video when possible-sent later to the Animal Care Center email-helps field officers verify the situation and prioritize risk-level assignments.
What are the most common questions about Broward County Animal Control Phone Number Save This Now?
What is the main Broward County animal control phone number?
Broward County animal control's primary contact number is 954-359-1313, which links to the Animal Care and Adoption division for all dog- and cat-related issues, including stray pickup, owner surrender, and adoption inquiries. This same number also serves as the after-hours voicemail portal for non-emergency complaints and cruelty reporting when the 311 line is closed.
How do I report a stray dog in Broward County?
To report a stray dog, call 954-359-1313 and select the field services or stray-pickup option (usually Option 2), then provide the exact address, street landmarks, and whether the animal appears injured or aggressive. If the dog is in imminent danger-for example, running loose on a busy highway-you should first call 911 and then follow up with the Animal Care and Adoption voicemail to ensure the case is logged with the county.
Can I call Broward County animal control about wildlife?
Broward County animal control generally only responds to issues involving dogs and cats as defined by the county's Animal Care and Adoption mandate; non-venomous wildlife, such as raccoons or opossums, are usually handled by private nuisance-wildlife companies or homeowners' associations. For alligators posing a threat near homes or pools, residents should contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's alligator control line at 866-392-4286 or 561-357-4200 after hours instead of the main animal control number.
What should I do if I find a lost pet?
If you find a lost pet in Broward County, you can bring it to the Animal Care Center during operating hours or call 954-357-9758 to schedule a drop-off appointment; the center staff will scan for a microchip and check the lost-pet database. If you cannot transport the animal, you can still call 954-359-1313 (Option 2) to request a pickup, or report the sighting to local community groups such as Neighbors-by-Ring or 24PetConnect while waiting for field services.
How do I report animal cruelty to Broward County?
To formally report animal cruelty, residents should call Broward's 311 line during business hours and ask to be connected to the Animal Cruelty Hotline; after hours or on weekends, they can leave a detailed message at 954-359-1313 (Option 2) describing the incident, address, and any visible injuries. For fully anonymous tips, Broward County recommends contacting the BSO Crime Stoppers hotline at 954-493-8477 or using their online reporting form, which is separate from the Animal Care and Adoption system.
Are there different phone numbers for cities within Broward County?
Yes, several Broward County cities maintain their own animal control or animal resource services, including Coral Springs (954-346-4422), Hollywood (954-921-3061), Margate (954-764-4357), and Pompano Beach (954-786-4027). These municipal units may handle certain calls before relaying to the county's Animal Care and Regulation division, depending on the nature of the complaint and jurisdictional boundaries.
What should I have ready when I call animal control?
Before dialing 954-359-1313, have ready the exact address or intersection, animal description (color, size, collar, visible injuries), and any known owner information such as a phone number or apartment number. If you are reporting a distressed animal-one that appears hit-by-car, ill, or attacked-also note the last time you saw it moving versus sitting in place, since this affects how quickly the Animal Care and Regulation team deploys.