Alachua County Animal Resources

12/23/2025

Local law enforcement and Animal Services are actively searching for a dog involved in a serious incident earlier today in which the owner sustained significant injuries. The dog is currently running at large.

The animal is described as a male Shar Pei/Rottweiler mix, approximately 90 pounds, with a blue brindle coat. The dog was last seen in the area of Bivens Cove Apartments, 3301 SW 13th Street, Gainesville.

Out of an abundance of caution, residents in the area are urged to remain vigilant. If you see this dog:
- Do not approach or attempt to capture the animal
- Call 911 immediately
- If it is safe to do so, maintain a visual on the dog until officers arrive

Law enforcement and Animal Enforcement Officers remain on scene and are actively working to locate and safely secure the animal. Public safety is the highest priority, and cooperation from the community is critical to resolving this situation as quickly and safely as possible. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

12/23/2025

Our office will be CLOSED December 24th, December 25th, and January 1st for the holidays. We are open regular hours today and Friday, December 26th.

Happy Holidays from ACAR! 🐶❤️🐱

12/18/2025

Shelter dogs need your help! 🚨

EVERY kennel in our shelter is full, and we need to open at least 10 kennels as soon as possible. We need fosters and adopters for medium and large dogs (30+ pounds). ALL adoption fees are still WAIVED, but even if you are not in the market to adopt, we would love to get as many dogs into homes for the holidays as possible, even temporarily.

We are asking for at least a one week commitment for fosters, but we can otherwise be flexible with the amount of time they spend in the home. We have dogs that are dog friendly, housebroken, crate trained, adventure buddies, couch potatoes, and everything in between, and our team can help match you with a dog.

No appointment necessary! We are open 10:30am - 5:30pm and will be sending dogs into holiday fosters today - 12/23. Please come visit us soon!

12/14/2025

What are you looking for in a dog? 👀🐶 No matter your preference, we have dogs for every home! Whether you are looking for a couch potato or adventure buddy, a puppy or a senior, an introvert or an extrovert, we have a dog for YOU!

Please come out and visit us Tuesday - Saturday, 10:30am - 5:30pm. Don't forget - ALL adoption fees are WAIVED this month!

12/14/2025

You'll never guess what our shelter pets asked Santa Paws for this holiday season....🎅💝 There is still time to give the gift of a loving home! We are running WAIVED adoptions all month long and welcome you to visit Tuesday - Saturday, 10:30am - 5:30pm.

Not in the market to adopt but need a friend for the holidays? Email us at [email protected] for more information on short-term and holiday fostering! 🐾

We are also running a donation drive to help us restock our supplies in preparation for the new year! Donations can be dropped off in our front lobby (3400 NE 53rd Ave) or sent via our Amazon Wishlist (link below). View our most needed items in the comments, but we can accept any pet supplies, any brand, any time!

Thank you for supporting shelter pets this holiday season! 🐶🐱

And a special thank you to What Patton Wants for donating time to take these beautiful pictures at our adoption event!

12/13/2025

Good morning, Alachua County! ☀️🐾 The Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic with Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic is today, and our friends at Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic are set up at ACAR to provide low-cost vaccinations and services until 3:30pm!

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended! You can book an appointment online: https://www.sweetwaterveterinaryclinic.com/book-appointment

Services and prices (20% off today!): https://www.sweetwaterveterinaryclinic.com/services

12/12/2025

Acorn is returning from his week-long vacation with one of our amazing fosters, and he is feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to land a home for the holidays! 🌰🐾 Read more about Acorn below, and make sure to come visit him Tuesday - Saturday, 10:30am - 5:30pm while ALL adoption fees are still WAIVED!

"The name is Acorn, and I guess you can say...I'm nuts about you. While my delicious chocolate coat and perfect medium size may be the first things you notice about me, I'm told the thing that's most compelling about me is my super duper, extra large, gigantic BRAIN! I pick up on new things at the speed of light, especially since I love toys and snacks so much. I've already learned sit, come, and I'm working on paw and down. I've spent time in a foster home, and my foster mom said I'm perfectly housebroken, too! When we're out in nature together, I'm a "no nonsense" walker and will take a brisk hike with you whenever you'd like. Once we're back inside, I'll curl up at your feet and snooze while you get work done, but don't be surprised if I shove my teddy bear in your lap. I also don't mind strangers with a proper introduction, but I tend to attach myself to my people quickly and will stick to you like Velcro, waiting for you to tell me what's next. I'm still getting to know other pups, but so far, so good! Ask to meet me today!"

We are always in need of fosters to help give dogs like Acorn a break from the shelter. We can work with your schedule and welcome short-term fostering! Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to learn more!

12/10/2025

Do you recognize the puppies in this video?

On Saturday, December 13th at approximately 11:00am, 7 puppies were found in taped up boxes near the intersection of SW 85th Ave and SW Williston Rd. These puppies were found in poor condition, emaciated and without access to food or water. Thanks to a vigilant community member, these puppies were found in time and are now receiving vital care and are on the road to recovery. They will be made available for adoption in the coming weeks, and we cannot wait for them to find loving homes.

If you recognize these puppies, if you were in the area that morning, if you have any information that can help us get answers, please contact (352) 955-1818 option 5, (352) 372-STOP, or alachuacrimestoppers.org. You can remain anonymous when reporting.

Thank you for helping us fight for a brighter future for puppies like Juanita, Bonita, Chula, Lupita, Lulu, Maria, and Lucia.

12/10/2025

We will be opening at 1:00pm today! Thank you for your understanding, and we will see you later this afternoon 🐾

📣 Heads up! Alachua County Animal Resources will open to the public at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10. The shelter will resume normal operating hours beginning Thursday, Dec. 11. 🐶🐱🐾

Resource officers will continue to respond to animal-related enforcement calls throughout the day. Residents are encouraged to call 911 in the event of an emergency.

As a reminder, the shelter is also holding a pet supply donation drive throughout December to help restock foster and enrichment supplies for the new year. Donations are accepted at the facility during operation hours or through the department’s Amazon wish list: https://tinyurl.com/2nvwmnze

12/09/2025

We are partnering with Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic this Saturday between 10:30am and 3:30pm to bring another low-cost vaccination clinic to ACAR (3400 NE 53rd Ave)! 🎊🐾

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments recommended. See the shared post for more information and book an appointment here: https://www.sweetwaterveterinaryclinic.com/book-appointment

Our next affordable vet clinics are here! And we’re spreading a little holiday cheer with 20% off your next visit. 🎁🐾

We’re offering vaccinations, microchipping, routine blood testing, and flea, tick and heartworm medications at two locations:

📅 December 13
⏰ 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
📍 Alachua County Animal Resources | 3400 NE 53rd Ave, Gainesville, FL

📅 December 14
⏰ 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Curia on the Drag | 2029 NW 6th St, Gainesville, FL

🔗 Book your spot: https://www.sweetwaterveterinaryclinic.com/book-appointment
We welcome walk-ins, but appointments are recommended.