ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — For the first time in two decades, Orange County Animal Services is suggesting several revisions to Chapter 5 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances.
Animal services presented the slate of sweeping changes to the Board of County Commissioners to address longstanding animal welfare concerns while aligning with standard operating procedures for animal care per state requirements.
The six revisions aim to provide additional guidance for pet owners and animal services, ensuring community pets and residents are healthy and protected.
The changes 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 count 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 micro-chipped 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 the Tuesday work session, Orange County Animal Services will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
For more information, visit the Orange County Animal Services.