Santa Rosa County Animal Services once again over capacity

Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) is asking the community to help with the urgent need for fosters and adopters. SRCAS is over capacity once again due to an ongoing community-wide problem of spaying and neutering pets. SRCAS currently has 397 animals in their care as of Wed., May 25, of which 54 dogs and 26 cats are available for adoption, and161 animals are in foster homes, including some of the dogs available for adoption.

Adoption fees ($25 for dogs and $10 for cats) remain low to help reduce the number of animals at the shelter. Fees are always waived for active-duty military, reservists, National Guardsmen and veterans through the Operation Furever Freedom program and for first responders through the Hometown Heroes program. All adoptions include spay or neuter, flea prevention, age-appropriate vaccinations, initial dewormer, microchip and an adoption starter kit filled with coupons for food, vet visits, toys and more.

Appointments are required to visit the shelter. View adoptable animals at www.santarosa.fl.gov/405/Search-Adoptable-Pets and then make an appointment online to adopt.

For those wishing to provide a short-term foster for an animal at the shelter, SRCAS will provide vet care and additional supplies while they last. Visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/727/Foster-Program for more information on the foster program.

People who are unable to adopt or foster may make a donation to SRCAS at www.santarosa.fl.gov/402/Pet-Shelter-Donations. SRCAS continues to raise funds to bolster outreach efforts, stock fostering supplies and provide medical care to shelter pets as needed. Critical items can also be purchased from the organization’s Amazon Wish List and shipped directly to the shelter.

SRCAS asks that people who find friendly stray pets to consider fostering. Stray finders can take the pet to a vet clinic or SRCAS, 4451 Pine Forest Road in Milton, to check for a microchip, file a found report, create and hang flyers in the vicinity of where the pet was found and hold the pet to give the owner time to locate it.

Owners looking to rehome their pets are encouraged to look at resources provided by the animal shelter at www.santarosa.fl.gov/941/RehomingLost-Pet-Resources.

For more information, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/animals.