Thank you for adopting a pet from Orange County Animal Services!

We want to be sure to set you and your new pet up for success. The most common reason adopted pets are returned is because their introductions in the home were rushed and they were not given proper time to decompress.

The first few days and weeks with a new pet can be challenging. You and your new friend are adjusting to a major life change. The key to success is to give your pet time to acclimate. Please be sure to check out the below references for guidance on handling and caring for your new pet:

If you would like to obtain a copy of your adoption agreement or any of your adopted pet’s files, please email animalservices@ocfl.net. We also invite you to reach out with any questions you may have as you welcome your new pet to your family. We are here to assist!

Animal Services is proud to partner with local organizations to offer post-adoption benefits, including:

• VCA Healthy Start Certificate Program - This offer is available to every person who adopts a pet from Orange County Animal Services and includes a complimentary first health exam, within 14 days of adoption, at a VCA Animal Hospital. With multiple VCA locations through the Central Florida region, this is an excellent offer to adopters to help ensure their new pets are off on the right foot.
• Free Training Session at PetSuites Winter Garden – This facility is offering a buy one, get one free training package to adopted dogs.
• Heart of Hounds Town Scholarship – This Sand Lake area facility is offering three days of free doggy daycare services.
• Free Week of Dog Daycare through Dogtopia – Dogtopia has multiple locations throughout the area including Apopka, UCF area, Longwood and Sanford. They are offering one free week of daycare for adopted dogs, some exclusions apply.

If you have a complimentary veterinary, training, daycare or boarding offer for adopted pets, please email us at AnimalServices@ocfl.net.

If the above options for training and decompression time have been attempted and the pet is still not a good fit for the household, adopters do have the option of returning the animal to Orange County Animal Services within a 30-day period following date of departure from the shelter. Adoption returns do not require an appointment and can be done at any time the shelter is open to the public.

If past the 30-day return window, adopters who reside in Orange County can surrender the pet to Animal Services with an appointment. Adopters who reside outside of Orange County will need to reach out to the shelters in their county for assistance with surrender services.