TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Tallahassee-Leon County Animal Service Center is making a change to their animal intake practice that they say will change lives. Beginning July 30, residents will only be able to drop off stray, sick, or unwanted pets during regular business hours.
The change is to make sure shelter staffa re present during the drop-off to collect information that helps the animal get adopted or be reunited with its owner.
“If a person is turning in a stray animal, it’s critical to know where it was found,” said Erika Leckington, director at the Animal Service Center. “And if a pet owner is bringing in a pet they can no longer keep, we need to know its name, personality and preferences. Getting this information about the animals brought to us can be essential in helping return lost pets to their owners or finding new ones for those needing them.”
The new intake process will also allow ASC staff to provide immediate care for sick, injured or orphaned animals. In addition, it prevents healthy animals from being exposed to infectious diseases, which could occur when left in an after-hours drop-off kennel.
Pet owners with sick or injured pets should contact their veterinarian. If you have an after-hours emergency with a sick, injured or aggressive stray animal, contact the City of Tallahassee Police Department (850-891-4200) or the Leon County Sheriff's Department (850-922-3300) to have the on-call Animal Control Officer paged.
The ASC is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. It is located next to Tom Brown Park at 1125 Easterwood Drive.
For more information on the ASC and to view animals that are currently available for adoption, please visit Talgov.com/animals. You can also keep up-to-date by liking the Animal Service Center’s Facebook page or following @COTAnimals on Twitter.
