Animal Control

Responsibilities

Animal Control is responsible for:

Enforcing state and county animal control regulations
Protecting animals from cruelty, abuse, or abandonment
Protecting the public from the dangers and nuisances of uncontrolled, dangerous, or feral animals

Monroe County helps fund three animal control shelters, operated by independent contractors that provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the County and all incorporated cities.

Services

Animal control officers conduct investigations, issue citations, and attend court proceedings related to alleged violations. The shelters provide all animals in custody with proper care, nutrition, and shelter. The contractors provide an adoption service for all adoptable animals that are not claimed by their owners. They are also responsible for ensuring that all dogs, cats, and ferrets are properly vaccinated for rabies and have valid, up-to-date county license tags and certificates.

Shelters

KEY WEST: Florida Keys SPCA

5711 College Road
Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 305-294-4857
After-Hours: 305-304-5964
SPCA Website Opens a New Window.

MARATHON: Florida Keys SPCA

10550 Aviation Boulevard
Marathon, FL 33050
Phone: 305-743-4800
After-Hours: 305-394-7806

KEY LARGO: Humane Animal Care Coalition

105951 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
Phone: 305-451-0088
Humane Animal Care Coalition Website

Pet Licenses

One-Year Fees

Fees for a one-year pet license in Monroe County are as follows: License Type

License Type	Dog	Cat	Ferret
Altered	$10	$10	$6
Unaltered	$35	$35	$6
Replacement	$2	$2	$2

Three-Year Fees

Fees for a three-year pet license in Monroe County are as follows: License Type

License Type	Dog	Cat	Ferret
Altered	$20	$20	$10
Unaltered	$75	$75	$10
Replacement	$2	$2	$2

*$5 Discount on pet license if the animal has a microchip.

Pick Up Fees

Offense Time	Fee
First Time	$25
Second Time	$50
Third and each additional time within a 12-month period	$100

**The above pick-up fees shall be doubled if the animal picked up was not vaccinated for rabies.

Unaltered animal at large fines/exemption license. If an unaltered animal comes into the shelter, either by being picked up or brought in, there will be an additional $100 fine for the fact that it is unaltered and that fine will be waived if the owner or assigned caretaker agrees to alter the animal prior to leaving the shelter.

Item	Fee
Boarding (Per Night)	$10
Disposal	$10
Dangerous Dog Certificate of Registration First Year	$100
Dangerous Dog Certificate of Registration Annual Renewal	$50
Litter Registration (Per Litter)	$50
Adoption	$10

Litter Registration is required before birth. The owner of a pregnant animal shall be assessed a litter fee of $50 for each litter. If the litter is not registered, there will be a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for a second offense, $500 for a third offense. At the first offense, the fine of $100 will be waived if the owner/caretaker agrees to alter the litter and breeding mother.

Leash Law

The Monroe County Code requires animals in public places to be on a leash.

“Effective voice command” is no longer an acceptable means of control for an animal in a public place since this method has failed in several situations, resulting in actual or potential injury to the unleashed animal, other animals, or people.

The regulation requires a physically capable person to be in control of an animal by means of a leash; or for the animal to be enclosed by a secure fence or other means of confinement. The law applies countywide and within municipalities if there is no conflict with an existing municipality’s ordinance.

Mission Statement

The mission of Animal Control is to promote responsible pet ownership, animal care, and community safety; increase adoptions, and reduce pet overpopulation. Animal Control strives to treat the symptoms of irresponsible pet ownership while seeking to eliminate the causes by compassionately using education and enforcement measures.