Highlands County Sheriff’s
Office Animal Services
Our location
7501 Haywood
Taylor Blvd.
Sebring, FL 33870
Animal Services Phone
863-402-6730
Email
animalservices@highlandssheriff.org
Shelter / Field Service hours
|
Monday |
8:00 am to 4:30
pm |
|
Tuesday |
8:00 am to 5:30
pm |
|
Wednesday thru
Friday |
8:00 am to 4:30
pm |
|
Saturday |
9:00 am to 1:00
pm |
|
Sunday |
Closed |
We are also closed on major holidays.
In case of emergency, please contact the Highlands County
Sheriff’s Office at (863) 402-7200.
Important links
HIGHLANDS COUNTY ANIMAL REGULATIONS
• In 2021, the County enacted a new law on dog tethering
(Ordinance No. 21-22-03, Amendment to Chapter 4.5, Animal and Fowl, Article II)
that states:
Repeated violation of these rules can lead to a 60-day jail
sentence and a $500 fine. Please be aware of these rules and treat your dogs
accordingly.
• All dogs and cats 4 months of age and over must be
vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Owners must purchase a
valid license tag for each dog or cat so vaccinated. Both dogs and cats must
wear a collar with the valid license tag at all times or be implanted with a
RFID microchip. The chip must be registered with Animal Services. Cats also
have the option of wearing a county-approved identification collar with the
license number marked on it in indelible ink.
• No person other than the property owner shall feed feral cats on public or
private property unless authorized by the property owner in writing, a copy of
which has been filed with Animal Services.
• All dogs must remain on the owner’s property at all times unless they are on
a leash under the direct control of the person in custody of the animal, even
if the dog remains within your sight and hearing and is trained to obey your
commands.
• Any dog or cat found roaming, wandering or running at large can be impounded
by Animal Services. Cats will be held for up to 10 days and dogs will be held
for up to 10 days, during which time the owner shall be notified if possible.
• Any person owning, caring for, harboring or keeping an animal must treat the
animal humanely at all times. Any animal that is confined must have sufficient
quantities of good wholesome food, water, and exercise on a daily basis, be
kept in sanitary conditions, provided with sufficient room to stand up, turn
around, and sit comfortably, have proper air ventilation and quality of air; be
provided protection from the elements; and protection from excessive
exposure to fleas, ticks, and other harmful insects or parasites.
• Outdoor dogs and cats must have appropriate shelter.
• Do not allow your dog or cat to be a neighborhood nuisance by barking,
soiling or damaging property.
• Dogs that bite or aggressively chase or approach persons in public property
or property other than the owner are subject to the State Dangerous Dog and
Rabies Control Laws.
• It shall be the duty of Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services to
take up, confine, hold, and possess any livestock that appears to have been
abandoned and to dispose of that livestock as provided by county ordinance.
Interference with Animal Services Officers is against the law
(a) No individual shall interfere with an Animal Services officer while in the
performance of his or her duties.
(b) For purposes of county law, interference includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Striking or attempting to strike an Animal
Services officer;
(2) Providing an Animal Services officer with false
information;
(3) Taking or attempting to take, without
authorization of HCSO Animal Services, any animal from any Animal
Services officer performing his or her duties or from any animal trap or
official vehicle used by HCSO Animal Services to transport animals or from the
HCSO Animal Services Facility; and
(4) Taking or damaging any county property used in
conjunction with the performance of an Animal Services officer’s duties.
Click
here to see all Highlands County Animal Ordinances