Adoption Information

All animals my be adopted starting 10am on the date they are available. If more than one person wants to adopt the same animal at that time, we will do a drawing to determine who can adopt the animal. We do not place holds on any of our animals.

The Clay County Animal Care & Control has many wonderful pets awaiting for adoption. If you are thinking of adding a pet to your family, please visit us and see what your animal shelter has to offer. The primary purpose of the 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 our shelter as possible and are committed to making every effort to do so. To accomplish this we work with several rescue groups and the U.S. Customs Service. We also provide animal care education upon request to schools, groups and organizations within Clay County. 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.

Viewing of animals for adoption is anytime during Animal Control's hours of operation except between 12:00 pm and 12:30 p.m. 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.

If an animal is selected for adoption, the prospective new owner will be required to fill out an application for adoption and sign an adoption contract. A County fee of $85.00 for dogs and $60.00 for cats due from the new owner if the animal has been sterilized and has a current rabies vaccination. An Adoption fee of $50.00 is due if the animal has not been sterilized or current on it's rabies vaccination. It is required by Florida State Law (823.15) that all dogs and cats adopted from Animal Control Agencies must be sterilized (spayed or neutered). It is also required by Florida State Law (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, after an animal is adopted that is not sterilized or current on it's rabies vaccination, before it goes home with its new owner, it must be taken to visit 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 sterilization and 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 veterianarian are non refundable.


Clay County Department of Animal Care & Control makes a substantial effort to assure that adoptable animals are in good health. It is possible, however, that undetectable illnesses or conditions may be present or incubating at the time of adoption. Therefore, the Clay County Animal Care & Control Department doesn't 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 adopted animal. The County further agrees to exchange an adopted animal for another should it prove to be in poor health as diagnosed and attested in writing by a licensed veterinarian, should it be voluntarily returned or should it die of natural causes within seven (7) calendar days of the date of the Adoption Agreement. The County however, is not responsible for reimbursements of fees paid to the veterinarian for the required rabies shot and sterilization.

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

Disclaimer: Animal Control makes a substantial effort to assure that adoptable animals are in good health. It is possible, however, that undetectable illnesses or conditions may be present or incubating at the time of adoption. Therefore, Animal Care and Control does not make any guarantee as to age, behavior, breed, health, temperament or ultimate size of any animal. There will be no CASH REFUNDS made to the Adopter by the County. Pets are adopted "as is" regarding the health since little to nothing is usually known about the animal being adopted.