Orange County Animal Services

Orange County Animal Services Check out all of our pets online at www.ocnetpets.com!

**WANDA A554297**When animals come to the shelter, they are often in very rough shape; some of them have been strays for...
11/07/2024

**WANDA A554297**

When animals come to the shelter, they are often in very rough shape; some of them have been strays for some time, and their lives have not been easy. And when we find them, it’s usually when they have started to decline, physically and spiritually. They are starving, not just for food, but for attention and love. Fortunately, there are people out there who find them or see them, and they make us aware so that we can take them in.

This is Wanda’s story.

Back in August, a resident noticed a skinny and sick looking dog wandering around her neighborhood. The dog seemed sweet, but was in bad shape, and it was obvious she had been a stray for some time. She was skin and bones, with overgrown nails and open sores all over her body. The resident got her on a leash and confined her in a yard, then she called us. This is how we met Wanda.

From the first day she arrived, Wanda’s behavior notes describe a sweet dog with people, but absolutely terrified of other dogs. We gave her time and space, and Wanda started to get better. In the four months that she has been with us, Wanda has changed a great deal. She put on 17lbs almost immediately, and now she looks like a completely different dog. Wanda was in rough shape on day one, but Wanda today is an absolutely beautiful dog. Strong, fast and very confident, she loves people and loves her treats. She needs training, but she is intelligent and learns quickly. Wanda can be a little stubborn, but with treats and praise, Wanda will learn just about any trick she can be taught.

The only thing that has not changed is her dislike of other dogs. She is no longer afraid of them, but she still does not want one near her. Wanda will show her dislike readily, with hackles raised, hard stares and low growls. With consistent training, she may overcome this, but for now, Wanda needs to be the only dog.

Her need for love and affection has grown with her, and she can be needy in the sweetest of ways, pushing her head into us for attention. Wanda would thrive in an active home, with lots of toys and treats, long walks with her person, followed by snuggle sessions to close out the day.

Let’s get her seen,
Let’s get her home.

**BOY A553488**About a month ago, our officers received a call from a concerned citizen about an abandoned dog. They res...
11/06/2024

**BOY A553488**

About a month ago, our officers received a call from a concerned citizen about an abandoned dog. They responded, and they were informed that the residents of the home had been evicted, and the dog had been left behind, chained in the back yard. According to the complainants, the dog had been back there for over a week, maybe longer, and no one had been seen caring for the dog. Neighbors had tried to feed it, but the dog was aggressive and would not let them get close. They told our officers the dog was named Boy, and that no one knew how to reach his owners.

Boy was then observed by our officer; weak, emaciated, and aggressive. The chain around his neck was too thick and heavy to cut, but eventually our officer was able to free him, and Boy was on his way to the shelter.

When he first arrived, Boy was very aggressive, scared, and basically skin and bones. He was difficult to handle and examine, but our staff understood his behavior was just a result of his ordeal. After giving him a few days to decompress, our behaviorist team took Boy outside, and were surprised to find a sweet, timid, and extremely gentle dog.

Boy has been getting better, little by little, with every day that passes. He is slowly gaining weight, and continues to warm up to staff. We’ve been able to pair him with other dogs, and he seems to do better around them. We don’t know exactly how long he spent chained in that yard, starving and exposed to the elements, but we’re grateful we found him when we did. Boy is healing, slowly, and he’s learning that it’s ok to be a dog. It’s ok to run loose in the play yard. It’s ok to snuggle for as long as he wants in the arms of staff.

Adopting Boy will have its challenges, as he has suffered at the hands of humans, and it takes him time to trust. But we know the right person for him is out there, someone who will not chain him outside, someone who will not starve him, someone who will give him what he needs most right now: love.

Let’s get him seen.
Let’s get him home.

**ELENA A555095**This is Elena. She is approximately two to three years old and barely thirty pounds. She was found by a...
11/05/2024

**ELENA A555095**

This is Elena. She is approximately two to three years old and barely thirty pounds. She was found by a resident who saw her roaming a desolate wooded area for days; emaciated, heavily scarred and injured. The resident was finally able to gain her trust and coax her out, and held her close until our officers arrived.

We don’t know her past, but her scars tell her story better than we could. Elena has had a litter, maybe more than one. She’s been in fights with other dogs, and is heavily scarred on her head and legs. She’s timid, but can be affectionate and sweet. And every day she’s getting better and better on the leash. It’s clear she’s had very little socialization or training, but she’s a fast learner, and more importantly, she seeks out praise. Elena is treat motivated, but when she receives a treat, she runs away and hides with it. Maybe it’s a lesson she learned from being a stray; maybe she’s scared to lose her treats. Either way, it’s kind of an adorable little quirk.

Here at the shelter, she does not want to share her space. We’ve tried pairing her with other dogs, but she’s just not ready. She’s small but strong, and when she’s happy, she turns into a puppy, zooming around the play yard, now and then going in for a hug or a kiss. But when yard time is over, she never, ever wants to go back inside. She’ll pancake, pull back, and will stubbornly refuse to move. Sometimes she has to be carried back, and sometimes, an extra treat will do the trick.

Elena is going to need patience and time.
Consistency.
And a lot of love.

But we know for the right person, the right heart, Elena is going to be an absolutely amazing companion.

Let’s get her seen.
Let’s get her home.

**BUGS BUNNY A551518**When we take in those strays that are shut down and scared, it’s impossible not to wonder what kin...
11/04/2024

**BUGS BUNNY A551518**

When we take in those strays that are shut down and scared, it’s impossible not to wonder what kind of life they’ve had. What happened to them to make them this way? What traumas did they endure? What cruelty did they suffer through and survive? While it’s true that some dogs are just born nervous and anxious, there are some that come through our doors so shut down by life that all we can do is give them time, kindness, and hope.

This is Bugs Bunny. A humorous name for a very sweet but timid dog. We estimate Bugs to be about two years old, maybe even younger. He was brought in as a stray back in July, and since that day, he hasn’t really made a lot of progress. You see Bugs is absolutely terrified being here. He is literally afraid of everything, except other dogs. Bugs has been paired and shares his kennel easier than most dogs, and he seems to take comfort in their company. He’s warmed to a handful of staff and volunteers, but in the five months he’s been under our care, he has yet to completely drop his guard.

Bugs has to be coaxed out of his kennel, and he cowers and shakes when he walks. In the yards he looks for corners away from the noise, or hides beneath a bench. Bugs will let us pet him, but mostly he is wide eyed, scared, and does not want to interact. It takes a great deal of patience to get him outside, which is probably the reason why he has had such few interactions with adopters. And once outside, he spends the entire time curled up in the farthest corner, shutting out the world.

Bugs spent some time in foster care, but not enough to beat back his fear. We don’t know anything about him, or why he is so scared all the time. We can only hope that the right person can help him, with kindness, patience, and love.

Let’s get him seen.
Let’s get him home.

Kitten season is still going strong in Central Florida. We’re seeing near daily drop offs of neonatal kittens.Kittens ar...
11/03/2024

Kitten season is still going strong in Central Florida. We’re seeing near daily drop offs of neonatal kittens.

Kittens are eligible for adoption at two pounds in weight, which typically correlates with eight weeks of age. Most of the kittens we receive are below this threshold. Some are just ounces shy, needing a week or two to bulk up. Others might be younger and need frequent bottle feedings, a level of care beyond what we can provide in the shelter environment.

If you have an interest in helping, we’d love to work with you. We need foster parents at all different experience levels. We provide all necessary medical care and essential supplies, like food and litter. Please find out more about joining our foster care force here: http://www.ocnetpets.com/GetInvolved/FosterCare.aspx

Mama Sally and her four-week-old son Jack are currently in foster care and will be adoption ready around the end of the month. Please email [email protected] to learn more about them.

Whenever we post a dog available for adoption we inevitably end up fielding questions on how the pet does with other dog...
11/02/2024

Whenever we post a dog available for adoption we inevitably end up fielding questions on how the pet does with other dogs or with cats. The majority of our dogs arrive as strays so we don't have the opportunity to confidently respond with how they behave in a home setting.

For our dogs in foster care, it's a whole different story. There are so many advantages to a dog being in a foster home: it provides the pup a much needed break from the stressful shelter environment, it frees up a kennel space for another pet in need and it gives us all a glimpse into that pet's behavior at home, so we can best match them with the right family.

We're thrilled to share that Olive (A546220) is one that does well with other dogs and cats in a home setting, information we're hoping will help her standout and find that right person.

Her amazing foster foster dad Joe recently shared the following: "Olive is a loving, charismatic and high-energy dog. She needs a home that can help teach her manners, while also spoiling her rotten. When we first got her she only knew neglect. Since she has been in our home she has been house broken, crate trained, found her bark, learned common commands like sit, stay and responds when called. She is people motivated. She will snuggle with you as if she’s a teacup poodle. Get all up in your face and give you all the kisses you could ever possibly want. She has not been food aggressive while being in our home, but has shown some interest in people food. She can get possessive of things and people, so setting boundaries is key. Luckily she is eager to please, so she learns quite quickly. She would probably do best in a household with at least 1 other dog. She is ok around cats, but doesn’t understand that the cat doesn’t want to play with her."

To find out more about Olive, and inquire about meeting her in-person, please email [email protected].

If you want to be a lifesaver, like Joe, and help dogs like Olive, please consider becoming a foster parent. We provide all medical care and any essential supplies. Foster stays can be as little as a week to months, depending on the situation, and it's each foster parent's choice which animals they take in and for what timeframe. More information here: https://ocnetpets.com/GetInvolved/FosterCare.aspx

**HAPPY TAIL** The month of November is all about giving thanks and we want to take this opportunity to thank a recent a...
11/01/2024

**HAPPY TAIL** The month of November is all about giving thanks and we want to take this opportunity to thank a recent adopter, Taylor.

Cyrus (A557921) was recently surrendered by his owner in conjunction with an enforcement case as they were unable to provide the necessary care. He was adopted and left our shelter just a few days ago.

Taylor followed up to let us know how it's been going: "Piglet is doing fantastic, we changed his name to Cyrus which we think is much more fitting. He knows how to sit, stay and lay down. He loves his kennel and is very food motivated. He is eager to make friends with our other dog. He has a silly personality and loves belly rubs. Overall, Cyrus is fitting in as the missing piece to our family and we couldn’t be more thankful for the hard work Orange County animal services does to find loving homes for these pets. I have attached a few photos of him since he has been with us."

We want to share a thank you to Taylor, and all of our adopters, for giving our pets the second chance at a happy life they so very much deserve!

UPDATE: ROD WAS ADOPTED!**ROD A547605**So many of the animals that come here spend each day in solitude. They lay in ken...
10/31/2024

UPDATE: ROD WAS ADOPTED!

**ROD A547605**

So many of the animals that come here spend each day in solitude. They lay in kennels, day after day, and watch quietly as the world passes them by. They relish the attention they receive from staff and volunteers, but most of the time, they are alone. Waiting. Hoping.

But with each new day, the anxiety grows. They become frustrated, sometimes withdrawn, and the terrible part is we can see it start to happen. They slowly withdraw from the world. Whatever it was that kept them coming up to the kennel door, happy and tails wagging, it doesn’t always last. And when it’s gone, the results are heartbreaking.

This is Rod’s story.

Rod is a young dog, barely out of puppyhood at a year and five months old. And already in that short time, Rod has known cruelty, violence and neglect. Back in May, Rod was one of several dogs that were confiscated from a cruelty situation. He was small, skinny and timid back then, but he was sweet. Rod was even good with other dogs, sharing his space readily, and happy for the company. After a few months, he became rambunctious and a little destructive, so we decided to send him into foster care. He spent several months with our friends at Hounds Town Orlando - Universal, where he got the chance to be in play groups, and run around with other dogs.

But Rod is back now, and has been for some time. He was struggling being back in the kennels, so we placed him in special housing. Rod started to do better, but he just wasn’t getting any attention. Sure, volunteers and staff would take him out, but for the most part, members of the public just passed him by. Every day. And pretty soon, Rod stopped wanting to go out into the yards. Now he’s at the point where he’d rather just lay in his bed, curled up into a small ball, just looking out his windows. Our vets have checked on him, to see if he’s just not feeling well, but each time he comes back with a clean bill of health. It seems Rod’s pain is a just a little bit deeper.

What Rod needs is out there somewhere.
And we are hoping we can help him find it.

He’s been under our care since May, making him unofficially our longest resident. He has spent almost half his life in our kennels, and the other half in a cruel and neglectful situation. Rod’s heart is struggling, and it breaks ours to watch it happen.

Please, if you have room in your life and your home, come and visit us. Give this sweet boy a chance. He’s been here long enough.

Let’s get him seen.
Let’s get him home.

We wanted to say thank you to everyone who attended this past Sunday’s Eleventh Annual Barktoberfest!The event was a mas...
10/29/2024

We wanted to say thank you to everyone who attended this past Sunday’s Eleventh Annual Barktoberfest!

The event was a massive success, with roughly more than 5,000 people coming out to celebrate with us.

A huge shoutout to all the staff and volunteers that took part in this incredible event, for all their hard work in setting it up and breaking it down. And to our clinic staff, who microchipped an amazing 103 animals, and vaccinated 129.

It was a wonderful event, and we were over the moon to see several OCAS alumni in attendance, as well as watching dozens of rescue animals find their forever homes.

Looking for your free Barktoberfest photo booth pictures?
Look no further! Below is the link to redeem the pics of you and your adorable furry friends.

https://bit.ly/4flBlQp

This is Gorda (A433114).Six years old and 35lbs; she’s a petite girl with the heart of a mountain lion. Usually at this ...
10/29/2024

This is Gorda (A433114).

Six years old and 35lbs; she’s a petite girl with the heart of a mountain lion. Usually at this point in a feature post, we would tell you how Gorda came in wild and angry, and eventually warmed up and acclimated to shelter life. But nothing could be further from the truth. You see Gorda is a special girl, and will need to be adopted by a special person. Because as small as she is, Gorda is a tiny terror.

Gorda first came in five years ago, when she was still a pup. And even then she was a lot to handle. The resident who brought her in warned us that she was going after her dogs and that she was a little rowdy. She’d had Gorda for a week and considered keeping her, but realized quickly that Gorda wasn’t a good fit. When staff first met her all those years ago, she was friendly and affectionate with everyone. But two days into her stay, she got into a fight with a dog almost twice her size. And from that day forward, Gorda’s whirlwind life began.

You see Gorda has been in and out of the shelter four times. She was reclaimed twice, rehomed once, and then surrendered this last time when she was picked up as a stray. She’s good with people, sweet when she wants to be, affectionate when it suits her, and loves her treats and butt scratches. But Gorda does not like other dogs. In fact, she can be a little troublemaker out in the yard, running the fence line to rile up the other kenneled dogs. Here in the shelter we have been unable to pair her. We know she has shared a home with another dog in the past, and she may be able to still; but here in this environment, Gorda definitely puts up the tough girl attitude. To Gorda it doesn’t matter; small dog, medium dog, big dog, she’s ready to take them all on.

Gorda’s face speaks volumes. She always looks mad and ready to fight. But to know Gorda is to love her; with staff she is gentle, playful, and even a little bit shy. We know in the right home, with the right person, her scary attitude with dogs may change. That scowl may soften into a smile, and that glare into an adoring gaze. We’re just hoping someone is willing to give her that chance.

Let’s get her seen.
Let’s get her home.

Do you recognize this dog?This senior gentleman (A558325), estimated to be around 10 years old, was found abandoned in o...
10/28/2024

Do you recognize this dog?

This senior gentleman (A558325), estimated to be around 10 years old, was found abandoned in our parking lot this morning, two hours after we opened. He appears to be blind and was found weaving between parked cars. We're upset to think what could have happened.

No matter the circumstance, abandoning a pet in a parking lot is not the answer, it simply is not safe.

He is understandably scared here at the shelter, with all of the unfamiliar sounds and scents. We don't know how he landed in our parking lot but we'd like to find his owner.

We are accepting adoption applications for him. He will be held the mandatory stray period and, if not reclaimed, then able to leave with a new family. Find out more about our adoption process here: https://ocnetpets.com/Adopt.aspx

Our 11th annual Barktoberfest event has officially begun! Visit Lake Eola Park through 4 p.m. to meet available pets, li...
10/27/2024

Our 11th annual Barktoberfest event has officially begun!

Visit Lake Eola Park through 4 p.m. to meet available pets, like little Asher here with Animal Advocates Fl Inc, from nearly two dozen different rescue organizations. We’re joined by many pet-loving vendors, including food and drink vendors as well.

If you can’t join us in person, follow along via our Stories to watch the amazing day unfold.

Our Barktoberfest event is tomorrow, Sunday, October 27! This is our 11th annual rescue appreciation event, the event we...
10/26/2024

Our Barktoberfest event is tomorrow, Sunday, October 27! This is our 11th annual rescue appreciation event, the event we look forward to all year. Our team is filled with excitementas we eagerly await the big day.

The purpose of this event is to shine a light on the work of our rescue partners, the lifesaving they accomplish year-round. For this event, we rent a portion of Lake Eola park and invite our registered rescue partners to showcase their available pets, their unique cause and their needs.

This year we will have nearly 20 distinct rescue groups in attendance, representing different species (cats and rabbits included too!) and breeds. Check out the full list of participating rescue groups below:

1. A Better Life Pet Rescue
2. ADORE Pet Rescue
3. Animal Advocates
4. Catapalooza
5. CLP
6. Feline Furcrew
7. Fl Boxer Rescue, Inc
8. Furget Me Not Animal Rescue
9. In Harmony With Nature
10. Liberation Cat House
11. Linus & Friends
12. Milo's Rescue
13. Orlando Rabbit Care and Adoption
14. Pet Rescue by Judy
15. Plenty of Pitbulls
16. Sophie's Circle
17. Spay & Neuter Nation
18. Suncoast Basset Rescue
19. The Pixel Fund Animal Rescue

In addition to these rescue groups, we will also have two dozen pet-loving vendors, a number of food vendors, our mobile clinic, a DJ and a photo booth and photographer, to catch those special moments between you and your pet.

This is our can’t-miss event and we hope to see you there. Find out more via our event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/546134657833317

**BATTLE OF THE DOORS**Our visitors may have noticed some spooky changes to the shelter this month. In preparation for o...
10/25/2024

**BATTLE OF THE DOORS**

Our visitors may have noticed some spooky changes to the shelter this month. In preparation for our Furry Fall Festival next week, our staff will once again be taking part in the Battle of the Doors!

It’s become an annual tradition for us here at OCAS. Each department has decorated a door inside OCAS, visible to the public, with a specific theme.

This year we have Ninja Turtles, It, Gremlins, I Adopted, and Haunted Circus.

Don't be afraid to cast your vote for your favorite door.
Only likes will be counted, so choose carefully, and may the best door win!

Front Desk Door: Gremlins

**BATTLE OF THE DOORS**Our visitors may have noticed some spooky changes to the shelter this month. In preparation for o...
10/25/2024

**BATTLE OF THE DOORS**

Our visitors may have noticed some spooky changes to the shelter this month. In preparation for our Furry Fall Festival next week, our staff will once again be taking part in the Battle of the Doors!

It’s become an annual tradition for us here at OCAS. Each department has decorated a door inside OCAS, visible to the public, with a specific theme.
This year we have Ninja Turtles, It, Gremlins, I Adopted, and Haunted Circus.

Don't be afraid to cast your vote for your favorite door.
Only likes will be counted, so choose carefully, and may the best door win!

Kennel Door: Haunted Circus

**BATTLE OF THE DOORS**Our visitors may have noticed some spooky changes to the shelter this month. In preparation for o...
10/25/2024

**BATTLE OF THE DOORS**

Our visitors may have noticed some spooky changes to the shelter this month. In preparation for our Furry Fall Festival next week, our staff will once again be taking part in the Battle of the Doors!

It’s become an annual tradition for us here at OCAS. Each department has decorated a door inside OCAS, visible to the public, with a specific theme.
This year we have Ninja Turtles, It, Gremlins, I Adopted, and Haunted Circus.

Don't be afraid to cast your vote for your favorite door.
Only likes will be counted, so choose carefully, and may the best door win!

Admin 2 door: Ninja Turtles

**BATTLE OF THE DOORS**Our visitors may have noticed some spooky changes to the shelter this month. In preparation for o...
10/25/2024

**BATTLE OF THE DOORS**

Our visitors may have noticed some spooky changes to the shelter this month. In preparation for our Furry Fall Festival next week, our staff will once again be taking part in the Battle of the Doors!

It’s become an annual tradition for us here at OCAS. Each department has decorated a door inside OCAS, visible to the public, with a specific theme.
This year we have Ninja Turtles, It, Gremlins, I Adopted, and Haunted Circus.

Don't be afraid to cast your vote for your favorite door.
Only likes will be counted, so choose carefully, and may the best door win!

Communications Door: I Adopted!

**BATTLE OF THE DOORS**Our visitors may have noticed some spooky changes to the shelter this month. In preparation for o...
10/25/2024

**BATTLE OF THE DOORS**

Our visitors may have noticed some spooky changes to the shelter this month. In preparation for our Furry Fall Festival next week, our staff will once again be taking part in the Battle of the Doors!

It’s become an annual tradition for us here at OCAS. Each department has decorated a door inside OCAS, visible to the public, with a specific theme.

This year we have Ninja Turtles, It, Gremlins, I Adopted, and Haunted Circus.

Don't be afraid to cast your vote for your favorite door. Only likes will be counted, so choose carefully, and may the best door win!

Address

2769 Conroy Road
Orlando, FL
32839

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 2pm - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

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