An entity responsible for enforcing ordinances relating to the control, impoundment, and disposition of animals. The entity takes custody of stray domestic animals and facilitates their return to, or placement in, a home environment, defend animals from abuse and neglect and protect the public from aggressive or dangerous animals. The animal control facility puts a 3-day stray hold on each animal while vetting them to determine the best course of action to take.

An establishment, usually a nonprofit agency, supported by charitable contributions. They provide a temporary home for surrendered or stray dogs, cats, and other animals that are cared for and then offered for adoption.

LCHS provides service for companion animals, meaning dogs and cats.

You can contact Animal Services and leave a message, however, after-hours calls are served for emergencies only. Non-emergency complaints will be addressed on the next business day.  Emergencies include aggressive or severely injured animals.

Animal Services is unable to transport deceased animals. The city or county will need to be notified to remove the animal. If you are unsure whether or not the animal is deceased or just very injured, please contact Animal Services. If you know the animal is deceased, please contact:

City of Lake City: Public Works for side streets (386) 758-5400 or DOT for main roadways (386) 758-3700

Columbia County: Landfill (386)752-6050

If the animal is a danger to the community, please call Animal Services and leave a voicemail with animal description, location, and a brief description of the behavior. If they do not appear to be a danger to the community, please hold the animal until the next business day to bring it to our facility.

No. The adoption center is not equipped with the ability to process an intake. Please refrain from bringing stray or surrendered animals to the center.

Yes, you can borrow a trap. Fees may apply, please contact Animal Services for more information.  When you catch a animal, please contact us for further instructions. If you catch a wild animal, please contact FWC (386) 758-0525.

Please contact Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at (386) 758-2005.

All of our calls are subject to public records laws and once a case is closed, all information becomes public record.

Our policy dictates that we issue a warning/notice of violation on the first offense. Please contact us for information on our complaint process.

No, leave them!  In most cases, their mother will return and is hiding to protect her babies. Please leave and check back in a few hours, if she does not return, please contact Animal Services.

Absolutely. We need to know the history of the animal and owner so we can address the situation before it becomes dangerous or the dog gets hurt.

No, we do not currently have licensing requirements in our county.

If you provide food/care to an animal longer than seven days, the animal is considered yours.  Please call us immediately if you have a stray animal show up on your property.

Yes, the surrender fee is $200 per animal for Columbia County residents and $300 for residents outside Columbia County. The surrender fees cover spay/neuter, vaccinations and medical treatment. If the shelter does not have space, we will not accept the surrender.

No. There is no fee for stray animal intakes in our county.  The person bringing an animal in must reside in Columbia County with a valid ID showing residency.