- Is this Animal Control?
- What exactly do you people do?
- Why does it take so long for Animal Enforcement Officer’s to respond?
- What should we do
until you arrive to help?
- Can I remain Anonymous?
- What are your operating hours?
- What do you consider an Emergency?
- Who is in charge of Animal Services?
- Where are you located?
- Why do I have to trap stray cats?
- Can you bring me a trap?
- I need a trap now! Is there any other place where I can rent, purchase or
borrow a trap?
- If I get a trap elsewhere and catch something where do I take
the animal?
- What happens to the animals when you take them from the trap?
- Does it take someone
getting mauled or killed before you people will remove this vicious dog from
these irresponsible owners?
- My neighbor has a vicious
pitbull. It is in a fenced area but it is a pitbull and I am afraid of it. How
do I go about getting it removed from the neighborhood?
- I am the manager of a
mobile home park and we have restrictions on pets and do not allow large breed
dogs in our park. we have a
tenant that has a Rottweiler and we need you to make them get rid of it?
- Why was an Animal Services
vehicle at my house this morning?
- I’ve lost my cat or dog, what do I do?
- I have a problem with wild
animals (raccoons, opossums, etc) getting into my garbage, what should I do?
- Why is there a limit of
four dogs and no limit on the number of cats a person can have in the County?
- Why must I purchase a tag
for a puppy (or kitten) that does not have to get rabies vaccinations until it
reaches four months of age?
- I have a snake in my yard
and do not know what kind it is or where it is now. What should I do?
- What if there is a snake is inside my home?
- My neighbor’s dog gets out all the time and chases me.
What can I do?
- Does the leash law really apply to cats?
- I have bees, you are animal services, and can you come and
remove them?
- How long is going to take for an Officer to get here?
- I don’t care about anyone else; I want you to take care
of my problem now. Make my call the highest urgency call.
So what, if I lie and file a false report or urgency?
- Do you pick up dead animals?
- How can I get rid of armadillos around my house?
- I keep trapping raccoons around my house but the next
night another one shows up, what can I do about these animals?
- I saw a raccoon, opossum, or fox in my yard during the
day; does this mean it has rabies?
- I saw an opossum in my trashcan and when I approached it
hissed at me and it looks really sick, is that a sign of rabies?
- Can I give my dog or cat rabies vaccinations?
- My roommate has a dog and I help take care of it when he’s
at work, when I let the dog go out he won’t come back when I Call. Can I be
held responsible for the dog?
- My dogs like to ride in the back of my truck, what are the
laws regarding him riding back there?
- My dog died, can I bury him in the backyard or do you guys
have to come get him?
- I just bought a dog from someone and it was sick (or it
died) is there a law against that?
- My dog has all of its vaccinations and is not mean but it
bit a neighbor and now I am being asked all kinds of questions and they are
talking about some type of quarantine. What
does all this mean?
- I think there is a squirrel, rat, bat, cat, or raccoon in
my attic that has built a nest. How can I get it out?
- Our dog just died and we want to get another one, how do
we adopt a shelter animal?
- I love animals and would
like to volunteer to help a good cause can I volunteer at Animal Services?
- What can I do about stray
cats around my house?
- Can you come and get an alligator that is swimming around
in my pool?
- There is a baby bird on the ground hopping around under a
tree can you come out and put it back in the tree?
- Can I take my dog to a
deserted stretch of beach and let him run?
- Is this where I pay my citation fine?
- I have rats; can you come out and trap them?
- What is the difference
between you and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission (FWCC)?
And, What are some of the things they do that you do not?
- I saw an injured crane with a broken leg or missing leg,
Can you come get it?
- I have a pigeon in my yard that has been for two days now,
I think it may be injured; can you come get it?
- Does Animal Services have any educational programs where
you come out and address Home Owner Associations, Schools, etc?
- What is the difference between a license tag and a rabies
tag?
- How long is a Brevard County Animal License Tag good for?
- Where can I purchase an
Animal License Tag?
- What happens if I don’t have a license tag? And, What
are the benefits of having one?
- Can I purchase an Animal License Tag on-line?
- I can get rabies vaccinations for a three-year period but
I have to renew my animal license tag annually. Why can’t I purchase a tag
that is good for more than one year?
- Do I have to come in to
purchase my Brevard County Animal License for my pet(s)?
- Is it true
that I can get a discount of licenses if I buy more than one?
- I just moved to Brevard County and plan to become a
permanent resident in the area. My
pet has a current license from another County or State; can he wear this tag
until it expires?
- I am on vacation in Brevard County; do I still need a
Brevard Animal License?
- If I purchase a Brevard Animal License Tag; will the
personal information I give you be sold or given out?
Is this Animal Control?
We are no longer called Animal Control. Brevard Animal
Services and Enforcement better fits the functions of our department.
<top>
What exactly do you people do?
Brevard Animal Services and Enforcement (BASE) provide a wide
range of services to residents of Brevard County. Our mission goals are public safety and health.
Secondary to this is to help residents deal with animal issues. We
patrol for stray dogs, lend out traps to help citizens remove stray cats and
small nuisance wildlife, pick up sick and injured animals and transport them
to Veterinarians, Rehabilitation Centers and Animal Shelters. There the animals will
receive care and medical treatment as necessary.
We provide education about wildlife and referrals for need-specific
services that go beyond what we provide.
We investigate animal bites and reports of neglect and cruelty.
We lend nearly three-dozen traps weekly and service dozens more taking
stray animals to the shelters and relocate all types of wildlife. If
we do not provide a service you need, in most instances, we can refer you to a
person or agency that does. We
now operate two of the four animal shelters in Brevard County.
We spay and neuter the animals we put up for adoption. We assist in picking
up animals during Natural Disasters such as wild fires and hurricane
evacuations. These are just some of the many services that we provide to the
residents of Brevard County.
<top>
Why does it take so long for Animal Enforcement Officer’s to respond?
We are a small department
in comparison to other county agencies in Brevard County.
The faster response of other agencies is due to their greater numbers.
We average a little over 300 calls for service daily. There are over
5,000 police, fire and rescue providers including City, County, State and
Federal agencies to cover all of Brevard County. BASE has about 15 Animal
Enforcement Officers to provide the same coverage area 24 hours per day. This
is a ratio of better than 333 to 1. The
animal populace exponentially outnumbers the people populous in Brevard County
by an even greater ratio. There
are over 23 cities and townships in addition to unincorporated areas of
Brevard County, which we provide full coverage with approximately 15 field
officers 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
According to the last census, Brevard had a population of approximately
495,000 residents. Divide this by
15 Animal Enforcement Officers and it comes out to one officer for every
33,000 residents and we have one animal enforcement officer for about every
200,00 square miles in Brevard County.
<top>
What should we do until you arrive to help?
Try to remain calm. Call 911 if you are reporting a
life-threatening situation. 911
can respond police and rescue units faster than we can in such instances.
For non-life threatening situations call us directly. When you call,
tell the Telecommunicator your situation.
Telecommunicators have a wealth of information, and in many instances
can help you help yourself without having to wait for an Enforcement Officer
to respond. The Telecommunicator
will also evaluate the circumstances of your call to determine if a Field Officer
should respond and a case report will be initiated.
Please provide your name, address, phone number, and directions on how
best to get to your location. Also have a description of the animal(s) and the
owner address, if known. Providing this information can expedites your call. Please stay on the phone
until the Telecommunicator gets the information typed in and reads it back to
you for accuracy and confirmation.
<top>
Can I remain Anonymous?
Yes. However, in doing so, you have to provide an exact address to
respond to and provide more information about the circumstances of your call.
We will investigate based on information provided.
We respond to anonymous calls for the protection of the animal. If it is determined that the initial
call is unfounded (has no merit), follow up anonymous calls about the same
thing may not be responded to without the caller leaving their name, address
and telephone number.
<top>
What are your operating hours?
We are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are closed all Major
Holidays. We provide Emergency
Service after hours and on Holidays through our after hours Answering
Service.
<top>
What do you consider an
Emergency? Emergencies are life
threatening conditions such as aggressive animals, animals that have bitten
someone, injured or sick animals with someone standing by with the animal
until we arrive, and animals inside the living area of a dwelling that are of
a high risk for rabies, such as Bats and Raccoons.
<top>
Who is in charge of Animal
Services? Mr. Craig Engelson is the Director of Animal Services and
Enforcement.
<top>
Where are you located?
Telecommunications, Tag
Office, Customer Service, Outreach Officer, Budget Officer, Dispatch,
Enforcement Officers and Supervisors are located at 1515 Sarno Road, Bldg A,
Melbourne, FL 32935. The Director
and Secretary of the Department are in Bldg B, at the same address.
The South Animal Care and Adoption Center is located at 5100 W. Eau
Gallie Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32935. The North Animal Care and Adoption Center
is located at 2605 Flake Road, Titusville, FL 32796.
<top>
Why do I have to trap
stray cats? Catching cats not confined in some way such as in a room, garage, shed, etc.,
is difficult. There are many places for a cat to hide or climb, putting them
out of reach. Cats may be friendly to a resident but will run from an officer because of all the
animal smells on the officer’s uniform. Officer uniforms smell of dogs,
raccoons, etc., which are natural enemies to a cat.
When a cat smells these scents they instinctively flee to safety.
Because of this we do not take cats being held by people.
This could cause the person holding the cat to get scratched or bitten
exposing the person to potential rabies. Because of limited resources and the
high degree of failure in catching cats out in the open it has become
necessary for residents to trap cats before we can successfully remove them
from an area.
<top>
Can you bring me a trap?
We lend out traps to
residents but we do not deliver them. We
can place you on our waiting list and when a trap becomes available you will
be notified of the date, time and location where you can pick up a trap.
These traps are issued on a Monday and have to be returned by close of
business on Friday of the same week. There
is a $40 refundable deposit required on the trap, which you can pay by cash or
check. The deposit is held and returned to you when you return the
trap to us. Animals that you
catch while you have the trap, simply call us at 633-2024 or 253-6630 and we
will send an officer out to remove them.
There is no charge for servicing the trap.
<top>
I need a trap now! Is
there any other place where I can rent, purchase or borrow a trap?
Yes. We can give you a
retailer near you where you can rent a trap for a small fee.
You can purchase traps at places like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Scotties,
etc. In come cities, you can borrow a trap from City
Hall.
<top>
If I get a trap elsewhere and catch something where do I take
the animal? Dogs and cats may be taken
to one of the animal shelters located in Titusville or
Melbourne. However, you do not have to take the animal anywhere. Call us and
we will come out to your home and remove the animal free of charge. You do not
need a license to trap and transport cats and dogs. You do not need a license
to trap wildlife but you do need a license to transport wildlife.
<top>
What happens to the
animals when you take them from the trap? Domestic animals such as
cats or dogs are taken to the Animal Care Centers.
Healthy wildlife is relocated nearby.
Injured or sick wildlife is taken to a rehabber for evaluation to
determine if medical treatment can help the animal fully recover.
If so, the animal is turned over to a rehabber for treatment and then released back to the wild.
<top>
Does it take someone
getting mauled or killed before you people will remove this vicious dog from
these irresponsible owners?
No. But as long as an owner keeps his dog(s)
confined to his property and complies with animal ordinances we cannot take
any action against the owner to include taking the person’s dog from them.
Animals are property and cannot be taken without due process of law. If the
dog is violating the leash laws or other County Ordinances we will deal with
the violation(s) appropriately. Officers
must witness violations or a resident who has witnessed a violation must
provide our department with a properly prepared notarized affidavit.
<top>
My neighbor has a vicious
pitbull. It is in a fenced area but it is a pitbull and I am afraid of it. How
do I go about getting it removed from the neighborhood?
It is NOT
against any law in Brevard County to own a pitbull or any other type of dog.
We do not breed discriminate in Brevard County.
As long as the owner complies with applicable animal ordinances he/she
may own any breed of canine.
<top>
I am the manager of a
mobile home park and we have restrictions on pets and do not allow large breed
dogs in our park. We have a
tenant that has a Rottweiler and we need you to make them get rid of it?
I’m sorry but Animal
Services and Enforcement cannot enforce your restrictions or contractual
agreements with your tenants. We
can only enforce violations of the Brevard County Animal Ordinances.
<top>
Why was an Animal Services
vehicle at my house this morning? The requester’s address
is obtained and a search is done on the computer.
If we had a call we will tell the requester why the officer was in the
neighborhood or at their address. In
many cases, the officer may have received a call to do a patrol in the
neighborhood and has simply stopped to complete his patrol report. If an officer stops at a residence on a trouble call, he will
leave an orange “door tag” notice.
<top>
I’ve lost my cat or dog, what do I do?
First, make sure you drive around the neighborhood. If you know of any
other pet owners check with them, your pet may go there to socialize.
Second, contact your local animal shelter or better yet go there and
look around. Any animals found
that
we pick up are taken to one of our animal shelters. Third, make sure you keep your animal license tag updated
with home and alternate telephone numbers. If someone finds your pet and calls
in the license number we can look it up and give them your information and
help reunite you with your pet much faster.
<top>
I have a problem with wild
animals (raccoons, opossums, etc) getting into my garbage, what should I do?
Wildlife habitat is
shrinking in Brevard County. This
has forced wildlife to live among people in residential communities.
Raccoons and Opossum are scavengers and will eat anything from grubs,
citrus fruit, birdseeds, and cat and dog food, even scraps in garbage cans.
Keeping lids locked down and weighted down will help keep wildlife out
of your garbage cans. Opossum
like to sleep in garbage cans during daylight hours and Raccoons are very
adept at opening trashcan lids. It
may be necessary to build a wire cage around your trashcans to keep the
raccoons and other animals out. Trapping is an alternative that should only be
used as a last resort. Remember any food source left outside is an attraction
for these types of wildlife. Do not leave cat and dog food outside. If you
must feed your pets outside make sure you take up the feed dishes after
feeding and if possible spray some Lysol or other type air refresher where the
food dishes were. The absence of
smell of potential food will help keep these wildlife animals from taking up
residence at your house.
<top>
Why is there a limit of
four dogs and no limit on the number of cats a person can have in the County?
The number of pets per
household is a Brevard County Code Enforcement Ordinance.
Code Enforcement has advised us the number of pets in residentially
zoned areas has been established at four (4) adults dogs with any
number of puppies up to the age of six months and no limit on the number of
cats per household. Brevard
Animal Services and Enforcement requires that all pets over the age of four
months of age be vaccinated against rabies.
They must also have a Brevard Animal License Tag, which may be
purchased as soon as the pet is born. This
ordinance does not apply to areas zoned for agriculture, per Code Enforcement.
<top>
Why must I purchase a tag
for a puppy (or kitten) that does not have to get rabies vaccinations until it
reaches four months of age? When a puppy or kitten is
old enough to start exploring it becomes a risk of becoming lost. If
the puppies and kittens have a license tag and are found, the person finding
the pet(s) can call in the license number. We can re-unite the puppy or kitten
with its family very quickly. Most
people who lose pets wearing a county license tag are re-united in this
manner. People who find puppies
or kittens are not wearing tags may assume the puppy or kitten was abandoned
and may keep it rather than have it go to the Animal Shelter.
So, having your newborn puppies and kittens licensed as soon as
possible can be beneficial should the puppy or kitten become lost.
<top>
I have a snake in my yard
and do not know what kind it is or where it is now. What should I do? Don’t panic. Usually they
are just passing through. There are 33 different species of snakes
indigenous to Brevard County.
Only four of these snakes are venomous. It is not uncommon to see snakes. Our department will respond
as quickly as possible to remove them. But
because snakes usually don’t stay in one place very long we ask that you
keep an eye on it until we can get there. Should the snake disappear from your
sight, we ask that you call us back and cancel the call.
In most cases we never get follow up calls.
We do not have the resources that would permit officers the time needed
to hunt for snakes. If you want someone to come out and search for snakes
there are Animal Removal Services listed in the yellow pages of your phone
book that you may hire to provide this service.
<top>
What if there is a snake is inside my home?
Animal Services will respond to a snake in your home 24
hours per day however, you must
keep an eye on the snake until the officer arrives.
<top>
My neighbor’s dog gets out all the time and chases me.
What can I do? You can protect yourself from harm by any means necessary.
If you have a chronic problem with a neighbor’s dog getting loose and
chasing you, get to safety and call us. If
the dog is out when we arrive on scene we may impound the dog. We will speak
with the owner and take other action as may be necessary when the officer
arrives on scene.
<top>
Does the leash law really apply to cats?
Yes. It is a
violation of Brevard County Animal Ordinance Chapter 14-56, which states, “No
animal shall be permitted or allowed to be at large.” The leash law is the same for cats and dogs. Cats and dogs
cannot be left unattended unless confined to the owner’s property by leash
or fencing mechanism. When
walking cats or dogs, a leash must be used with one end attached securely to
the animal and the other end under the physical control of a person capable of
handling the animal.
<top>
I
have bees, you are animal services, and can you come and
remove them? No. Bees are stinging insects and include yellow jackets,
wasps, hornets, etc. These insects are considered household pests and are
therefore the resident’s responsibility.
We encourage you to contact a pest removal service to come out to
remove stinging insects. A hive
can literally harbor tens of thousands of stinging insects and dealing with
them can be very dangerous. A
professional is your best and safest way to have them removed. You can call
Dan Keene at the Department of Agriculture for more information about stinging
insects. He can also refer you to
local exterminators that specialize in exterminating swarms and large hives of
stinging insects. He can be
reached at (321) 952-4536.
<top>
How long is going to take for an Officer to get here?
We do not give out estimated times of arrival.
The reason is that we simply don’t know because of the many variables
involved. Much depends on the
number of officers that are on duty, the number of calls of equal or higher
urgency, and the number of calls that may follow your call of a higher
urgency. We have no way of knowing what type of call or how many calls are
going to come in that will effect our response time for your call.
<top>
I don’t care about anyone else; I want you to take care
of my problem now. Make my call the highest urgency call.
So what, if I lie and file a false report or urgency?
Lying and
filing a false report or urgency just to get a faster response could land you
in big trouble. More importantly,
lying and filing a false report or urgency could take us away from a
legitimate emergency, which could result in pets, children and adults
sustaining injury.
<top>
Do you pick up dead animals?
Yes. We try to and in many instances can pick up a dead
animal within a few hours after receiving a call for pick up.
However, picking up dead animals is secondary to all other calls that
we do. The only exception is dead
animals at a day care, school or near a bus stop.
<top>
How can I get rid of armadillos around my house?
Armadillos are
coming onto your property to look for food. If there is no food, they will not
stay. The food they are looking for is probably insects and larvae. These
insects can damage your lawn as well as attract armadillos. So if you treat
your lawn and get rid of the pest the armadillos will follow. You can also use
a form of fertilizer called blood meal. The odor is offensive to armadillos
and helps keep them away. There
are also commercial repellants you can find at hardware or feed stores.
<top>
I keep trapping raccoons around my house but the next
night another one shows up, what can I do about these animals?
If raccoons are on your property each night foraging (not
just passing through) they are looking for food and you are on the list of
likely places to find it. Look around to see if your garbage cans are left
open, or if pet food is left out after feedings, these things may be
attracting the raccoons. If you live near heavily wooded areas the animals are
always going to be there due to the territorial range of the animal.
Before you start trapping decide if the raccoons are pests or if they
are just part of the neighborhood. If you put out food for birds or squirrels
don’t be surprised when the opossum and raccoon show up to share in the
festivities.
<top>
I saw a raccoon, opossum, or fox in my yard during the
day; does this mean it has rabies?
No, raccoons will forage around the clock if they are
hungry. They will also forage if they have a litter to feed. If the animal is
exhibiting unusual behavior such as, staggering, snarling, walking in circles
or falling down it could be rabid, call Animal Services (633-2024). As with
all wildlife, stay away from it.
<top>
I saw an opossum in my trashcan and when I approached it
hissed at me and it looks really sick, is that a sign of rabies?
No, the opossum was warning you not to come any closer.
Opossums naturally look sick so it is really difficult to tell by looks alone.
Opossums are not carriers of the rabies virus such as Raccoons. Nor are they a
good host for rabies due to low body temperature. However, as with the
raccoons, look for unusual behavior, biting at the air, inability to walk or
climb to determine if the animal might have a problem.
The opossum’s natural defense is to play dead hence the term “playing
possum”. But, if you get to
close it will hiss at you and display a formidable array of teeth.
<top>
Can I give my dog or cat rabies vaccinations?
Yes you can, however only vaccinations given by a licensed
veterinarian are considered valid in Florida for dogs, cats and ferrets.
<top>
My roommate has a dog and I help take care of it when he’s
at work, when I let the dog go out he won’t come back when I call. Can I be
held responsible for the dog?
Yes, as a caregiver you can be held responsible for the activity of the
animal and can receive citations. Work with the dog and your roommate to find
a way to control the dog.
<top>
My dogs like to ride in the back of my truck, what are the
laws regarding him riding back there?
If your dog is riding in the back of a pickup truck it
needs to be restrained by a minimum of two tethers fixed to opposite sides of
the vehicle and attached to a collar or harness being worn by the animal. The
animal can also be confined in a humane manner inside a locked animal carrier
mounted in the bed of the truck in such a way as not to slide out or fall off
the truck.
<top>
My dog died, can I bury him in the backyard or do you guys
have to come get him? Your pet can be buried in your backyard if you are the
owner of the property or have the property owner’s permission. As a rule of
thumb you will need to bury your pet as deep as it is long.
We can come and remove it for you but there is a $10.00 removal fee.
<top>
I just bought a dog from someone and it was sick (or it
died) is there a law against that?
Yes. The Pet
Lemon Law provided protection to consumers; you should call the Department of
Agriculture at (410) 571-8692 or (800) 435-7352.
<top>
My dog has all of its vaccinations and is not mean but it
bit a neighbor and now I am being asked all kinds of questions and they are
talking about some type of quarantine. What
does all this mean? In Florida, when a dog
or cat bites or scratches
another person or animal it must be placed on quarantine no matter what the
rabies vaccination status is. The questions are for a bite report we are
required by law to fill out. Be patient and cooperate with the officer and
everything will be fine. You should also analyze why the dog bit and what you
should do to prevent future incidents of this type.
<top>
I think there is a squirrel, rat, bat, cat, or raccoon in
my attic that has built a nest. How can I get it out?
These animals like your attic because it is cozy and quiet
and the perfect place for a home. To get them out you need to make it not so
cozy. The first thing you should do is figure out how the animal is getting
into the attic. Then cover all the ways in except one, so the critter can get
out. Place some sort of bright light in the attic such as one of those “clamp
on type” lights and leave it on around the clock. Then place a radio in the attic, as close to the suspected
nest as safely possible and tune it to a rock or talk station and play it as
loud as possible. Do this for several days to allow the animal time to find or
build a new nest and to move any babies that might be present. Check the nest
after a day or so and if it is empty seal the last hole.
<top>
Our dog just died and we want to get another one, how do
we adopt a shelter animal?
The first thing you need to do is visit a shelter near you
to pick out and get to know a dog or cat.
All of the shelters in Brevard County have areas where you and a
prospective pet can interact with each other. If you already have a pet you
can bring it and see if they will get along. You will then be required to fill
out an application for adoptions and pay a fee. The animal will also need to
be spayed or neutered either at the shelter or by a licensed vet. All of the
shelters in the county have knowledgeable people who can answer animal related
questions for you. There are
wonderful animal companions waiting for you at any one of the shelters in
Brevard County, you owe it to yourself to stop by. And remember donations are
always appreciated at your local shelter.
<top>
I love animals and would like to volunteer to help a good
cause can I volunteer at Animal Services?
Animal Services and enforcement manages the North Animal
Care Center on Flake Rd., in Titusville and they welcome volunteers to help
out at the shelter. There is also the South Animal Care and Adoption Center on
West Eau Gallie Blvd., in Melbourne or a number of other animal related
organizations in constant need of help. Contact Bob Brown at 321 255-4346 to find out
more information.
<top>
What can I do about stray cats around my house?
Cats are covered by the same leash laws as dogs. When not
on the owner’s property a leash must be used to restrain the cat. Cats are
not allowed to run loose and come onto your property. If the cats can be
identified the complainant can file a sworn affidavit and Animal Services will
issue a citation to the owner. Due to a cat’s ability to evade capture by
humans, our officers will not come to your home to capture strays, however you
can trap the cats and we will send an officer out to remove the animal from
the trap. We will loan you the trap and give you instructions on how to use
it.
<top>
Can you come and get an alligator that is swimming around
in my pool? No. Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (888
404-3922) will be the agency to call if an alligator is a nuisance or poses a
danger. However if the alligator is an immediate threat we can, and will
respond to a call for aid.
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There is a baby bird on the ground hopping around under a
tree can you come out and put it back in the tree?
The best bet is to leave it alone. Baby birds fall out of
trees as they learn to fly. The parents will still feed and tend to it on the
ground but not if it becomes the center of human attention. So watch out for
neighborhood cats and let nature take it’s course. If the bird is in danger
and you can’t reach the nest you can make a temporary nest by hanging a
flowerpot from a branch in the same tree and putting the bird in it. The
parents will feed and care for the bird in the new nest; contrary to the “old
wives tale” birds do not smell human contact.
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Can I take my dog to a deserted stretch of beach and let
him run? No. Dogs are not allowed on any beach in Brevard County.
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Is this where I pay my citation fine?
No. But you
will find the locations on the back of the citation. You will need to pay fines at one of the County Court Houses.
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I have rats; can you come out and trap them?
No. Animal Services does not come out to remove rats, you
can either look in your yellow pages for a pest removal company or call:
725-0192.
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What is the difference between you and the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conversation Commission (FWCC)?
And, What are some of the things they do that you do not?
Animal
Services and Enforcement is unique to Brevard County.
The FWCC is a State agency. The
FWCC deal with all alligator problems and enforces laws against feeding
certain wildlife such as Sandhill Cranes and Raccoons.
They also respond to all Protected, Threatened and Endangered Species
such as the Scrub Jay, Great Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, and Manatees to name
but a few. They are also the
fastest way to get help for beached sea mammals such as whales, sea turtles,
dolphins and manatees. Their
emergency number is 1-888-404-3922. For
non-emergencies, call 1-352-732-1225. The
FWCC has a detailed listing of wildlife rehabbers and transporters in Brevard
County who may be able to assist you with the birds and animals listed above.
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I saw an injured crane with a broken leg or missing leg,
Can you come get it? Birds with a broken leg, which still have the capability to
fly, are best left alone. As long
as the bird can fly it can sustain itself. We have one such bird in the
Suntree area, which had one leg amputated. It was released back to the wild
and has been doing very well since 1994. Trying to catch a bird, especially
the larger sea birds, can do more damage to the bird than leaving it along.
If a bird has a broken wing or cannot fly because it is to weak then it
can be helped. You should contact
the FWCC for first response.
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I have a pigeon in my yard that has been for two days now,
I think it may be injured; can you come get it?
It is not unusual for a pigeon to behave this way,
especially if it is a banded or courier pigeon. These birds are still widely used as messenger/courier birds.
They can sometimes fly great distances to deliver their message.
They often stop to rest and eat for several days before continuing
their mission. As long as they
can fly, this is probably just what they are doing. If you are overly
concerned, take a couple of pots and run at the bird banging the pots
together. If the bird can fly
this will surely motivate him to demonstrate his flight capability to you,
even if it is a short flight.
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Does Animal Services have any educational programs where
you come out and address Home Owner Associations, Schools, etc?
Yes. We have an Out Reach Program. Bob
Brown is our Outreach Officer and you can schedule him to come speak at your
school, homeowner’s association meeting, etc. We often attend community
functions such as the State Fair and other activities of this nature setting
up a display and answering questions and giving out important literature.
If you would like to schedule our Out Reach Officer please give us a
call at 633-2024 and ask for Bob Brown.
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What is the difference between a license tag and a rabies
tag? Brevard County Code Chapter 14, Section 14-56 requires a
Brevard County Animal License Tag for domestic dogs and cats. A rabies tag may
be something that your vet gives to you or that you may purchase from your vet
when you get a rabies vaccination for your pet. Many rename and confuse the Brevard County Animal License Tag
with these. The Brevard County Animal License Tag has in past years been
referred to as a County Tag, Dog Tag, Rabies Tag, Identification Tag, Animal
Tag, and more. The Brevard County
Animal License Tag is the only tag required by law. If you are in Brevard
County more than 28 days, you must purchase a Brevard County Animal License
Tag for your pet(s).
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How long is a Brevard County Animal License Tag good for?
One year from date of purchase.
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Where can I purchase an Animal License Tag?
You can purchase an Animal License Tag from our main office
at 1515 Sarno Road n Melbourne in person, through the mail or by telephone
with a credit card. You can also
get them from the South Animal Care Centers at 5100 W. Eau Gallie Blvd in
Melbourne and from the North Animal Care Center at 2605 Flake Road,
Titusville, Florida. You can
purchase them from the Central Brevard Humane Society in Cocoa, and a number
of Veterinarians also sell Brevard County Animal License Tags to their
clients. If your Vet does not
sell the Animal License Tag, He/She will provide you with a mailer, which you
can use to mail in for license tag.
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What happens if I don’t have a license tag? And, What
are the benefits of having one?
Two most
important things happen when you have a cat or dog and you do not have a
license tag for it. First, You
are in violation of Brevard County Animal Ordinance Section 14 and
subsequently, you subject yourself to being fined $120.00.
Secondly, Animal License Tags are also used to find owners so that the
pet can be reunited with its family as soon as possible if it becomes lost.
We reunite many pets with their owners every year through the Brevard
County Animal License Tag. This enables us to help reunite pet(s) with the
owner faster and can save you money. Many
people that find pets wondering around will take them in and call us with the
license number. We give them your phone number and they call you to come get
your pet. This will save you
money because your pet avoids a trip to “Doggie Jail.”
Field Officers often call in tags from the field and if we can locate
the owner, the pet is returned to them or a note can be left at your home to
let you know where you can find your pet.
Impound, Transportation, and Boarding Fees can cost upwards from
$65.00. If, by having a County
Animal License Tag, your pet is reunited with you, then the cost of the License has paid for itself many times over.
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Can I
purchase an Animal License Tag on-line?
No. Not at
this time. We are currently
looking into secure on-line systems.
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I can get
rabies vaccinations for a three-year period but I have to renew my animal
license tag annually. Why can’t I purchase a tag that is good for more than
one year? Currently
we only offer a 1 year animal tag. Many things can change in a year and
renewal of animal license every year provides updated information on your pet.
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Do I have to come in to purchase my Brevard County Animal
License for my pet(s)? No.
You can
purchase your Animal License by mail with a check or over telephone using a
credit card with a Master Card or Visa Logo. You still have the option to
purchase your animal license(s) in person at a number of locations around
Brevard County.
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Is it true
that I can get a discount of licenses if I buy more than one?
No. Sorry! No discounts for multiple pets.
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I just moved to Brevard County and plan to become a
permanent resident in the area. My
pet has a current license from another County or State; can he wear this tag
until it expires? Yes. But you
must still purchase a Brevard County Animal License for your pet within 28
days. If you plan to establish a
permanent residency you should get your Brevard Animal License Tag
immediately. If you do not you
may subject yourself to a fine of $120.00.
More importantly, having a Brevard Animal License is the fastest way of
contacting you should your pet get loose and become found.
If you have an out of county or out of state license, we have no way to
locate or contact you in a timely manner.
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I am on vacation in Brevard County; do I still need a
Brevard Animal License? It depends on how long you intend to stay in Brevard
County. If you plan to establish
residency for more than 30 days it is suggested that you obtain a Brevard
Animal License Tag immediately.
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If I purchase a Brevard Animal License Tag; will the
personal information I give you be sold or given out?
The personal information associated with your animal
license tag will not be sold. Your
information (name, address and phone number) is only used when it is necessary
to contact you regarding your pet.
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