Bryant.Almeida@ocfl.net – Orange County Animal Services
Zachary.Downes@ocfl.net – Orange County Health Services
Orange County Animal Services Presents Animal Ordinance Revisions to the Board of County Commissioners
Orange County, FL – For the first time in 20 years, Orange County Animal Services presented a slate of sweeping changes to Chapter 5 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances to the Board of County Commissioners. The revisions address longstanding animal welfare concerns and align standard operating procedures for animal care with state requirements.
The six revisions will provide more guidance for pet owners and Orange County Animal Services to ensure community pets and residents are healthy and protected. The revisions include:
- OCAS will spay or neuter a pet the first time they are impounded to prevent unwanted litters of pets, reduce behavior problems associated with intact pets and promote health.
- Orange County will mirror state law by establishing a minimum sale age of eight weeks, requiring health certificates and vaccines, and aligning with “pet lemon law” disclosures.
- Sundays will now county towards hold days for stray pets, matching the seven-day work week at OCAS.
- The Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program will be the standard for community cat management.
- Reclaimed pets will be microchipped to ensure a faster reunification. Microchips will be $15 per pet to the owner.
- The county’s “Dangerous Dog” language will be updated to align with state law requiring $100,000 liability insurance, enhancing penalties for dog attacks and repeat offenders, making microchip tampering a felony, and establishing proper enclosure requirements.
Following today’s Work Session, a public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, where the board will be asked to approve the ordinances and changes discussed in today’s presentation.
Anyone interested in watching today’s presentation can do so by visiting https://netapps.ocfl.net/Mod/meetings/1.
If a resident has any questions, they can call Orange County’s 311 hotline or (407) 836-3111 or visit www.ocnetpets.com
For more on Florida’s Pet Lemon Law: section 828.29, Florida Statutes
About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.