Adoption Information

The primary purpose of Clay County Animal Care & Control is to enforce the Clay County ordinance concerning animals.  We believe in finding homes for as many unclaimed animals housed at the shelter as possible and are committed to making every effort to do so.  To accomplish this we work with several rescue groups, foster care volunteers and social networking internet sites.  We also provide animal care education upon request to schools, groups and organizations within Clay County.

Clay County Animal Care & Control has many wonderful pets awaiting adoption.  If you are thinking of adding a pet to your family, please visit us and see what your animal shelter has to offer.  Viewing of animals for ado0ption is anytime during Animal Care & Control hours of operation.  Clay County’s Animal Care & Control personnel is made available to the prospective new owner to council and guide in the selection of their new pet and an area is made available for interaction between the prospective new owner and the pet being considered.

When a stray animal arrives at the Clay County Animal Care & Control shelter it is held for three (3) days, allowing the owner time to reclaim their pet.  The animal is screened for health and temperament and if it is deemed adoptable after the holding period, it is put up for adoption.  The length of time given for an animal to find a home depends on the population of the animals housed at Clay County Animal Care & Control at the time.

All animals may be adopted starting at 10 a.m. on the date they are available.  If more than one household wants to adopt the same animal at that same time, Animal Care & Control will hold a drawing between all prospective owners (one per household) present at Animal Care & Control at that time to determine which adoption application will be considered first.  Animal Care & Control does not place holds on any of its animals.

If an animal is selected for adoption, the prospective new owner will be required to fill out an adoption application and sign an adoption contract.  Adoption fees for spayed or neutered animals that have a current rabies vaccination is $85 for dogs and $60 for cats.  Adoption fees for an un-spayed or un-neutered animal without a current rabies vaccination is $50 for dogs and $50 for cats.  Contact Animal Care & Control for information on adoption fees and regulations concerning species of animals other than dogs and cats.

It is required by Florida State Statute (823.15) that all dogs and cats adopted from Animal Control Agencies must be spayed or neutered.  It is also required by Florida State Statute (828.30) that all dogs, cats and ferrets four (4) months of age or older must receive a rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian.  Therefore, before a newly adopted unsprayed or unneutered and/or un-rabies vaccinated animal goes home with its new owner,

it must be taken to a Clay County veterinarian.  The veterinarian will spay or neuter the animal and administer a rabies vaccination.  The cost of the veterinarian’s services will be the responsibility of the new pet owner.  If the adopted animal is too young for spay or neuter surgery and a rabies vaccine, the adopter will be required to pre-pay the veterinarian for the service.  The veterinarian will determine the date the animal should be brought back for the procedure.  All pre-pay fees paid to the veterinarian are non-refundable.

Note:  The animals available for adoption are subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer:  Animal Care & Control makes a substantial effort to assure that adoptable animals are in good health.  However, since little is known about the animal’s health, background and behavior, it is possible that undetectable illnesses or conditions may be present or incubating at the time of adoption.  Therefore, Animal Care & Control does not make any guarantee as to age, behavior, breed, health temperament or ultimate size of any animal.  The County shall not be held liable for the health nor the behavior of any animal.  The County agrees to exchange an adopted animal for another should it prove to be in poor health or die of natural causes within seven (7) calendar days of the date of the Adoption Agreement as diagnosed and attested to in writing by a licensed veterinarian.  There will be no CASH REFUNDS made to the Adopter by the County.