Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) is the only open admission shelter in Orange County, which means that it accepts all animals, regardless of their temperament or health. The health and well-being of the animals in the care of OCAS is of the utmost importance to Orange County and its community. Most animals are ideal candidates for adoption, yet some come to the shelter suffering from long-term and profound health problems, as a result of being homeless or abused.
In 2016, Former Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs requested that Orange County explore the idea of building a new animal shelter after determining the existing shelter could not be retrofit with an HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) system that was safe and cost effective. The project was started at that point and has continued to progress under the administration of current Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings.
The current shelter was built in 1987 and was considered state-of-the-art at the time, featuring open air kennels for the dog population. The building has gone through a number of renovations over the past decade aimed at improving the comfort of the shelter pets. Animal Services staff are greatly looking forward to the development of the new shelter and how that will best meet the needs and services performed to this community in the modern age.