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Who Should I Contact?

As of July 1, 2010, Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control is no longer able to send Animal Control Officers to pick up wildlife such as orphaned baby birds or mammals. The Division will continue to handle rabies surveillance for Palm Beach County, which includes quarantine, testing, and response to rabies vector species and human or animal exposure.

Residents should contact Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, 561-575-3399 or the SPCA Wildlife Care Center in Ft. Lauderdale, 954-524-4302.

Additional names of individuals who rehabilitate wildlife may be obtained from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 561-625-5122 or www.myfwc.com or go directly to the list for Palm Beach County.

possum in a cage

What Licensed Trappers are Available?

Residents should contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 561-625-5122, www.myfwc.com, or consult the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory under "animal rescue and removal services" or "pest control."

What Will Animal Care and Control Do For Me?

  • Continue to respond to reports of Rabies vector species having been exposed to humans or domestic animals.
  • Continue to respond to reports of Rabies vector species threatening the public.
  • Continue to respond to reports of Rabies vector species displaying symptoms of Rabies.
  • Continue to accept injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife with a donation of $30 for purposes of euthanasia.
  • Provide a rehabilitator center contact information.

What is a Rabies Vector Species?

Foxes, skunks, raccoons, groundhogs, coyotes, and bats are the most common rabies vector species and can carry the rabies virus without showing any of the typical symptoms. 

What Are the Symptoms of Rabies?

  • Craving to eat anything, including inedible objects
  • Constant growling
  • Dilated pupils
  • Disorientation, stumbling, falling, wander aimlessly
  • Erratic behavior
  • Episodes of aggression, unprovoked aggression, some animals attack anything that moves
  • Unusual friendliness
  • Facial expression showing anxiety and hyper-alertness
  • Irritability
  • No fear of natural enemies (e.g., wild animals may not be afraid of people)
  • Restlessness
  • Roaming
  • Seizures
  • Trembling and muscle incoordination, paralysis often in hind legs or throat, which causes whining, drooling,
    or frothing at the mouth
  • Vocalizations ranging from chattering to shrill screams
  • Nocturnal animals may become unusually active during the day (remember, some daytime activity is normal, especially when nocturnal animals are feeding their young)
  • Raccoons walk as if they are on very hot pavement

How Can I Protect My Property from Wildlife?

raccoon
  • Secure garbage cans/containers with a tight lid.
  • Do not keep pet food outdoors. Feed pets indoors.
  • Keep landscaping maintained and keep overgrowth to a minimum.
  • Remove piles of yard debris and thick vegetation. This is a perfect place for nesting.
  • Secure openings to gutters, garage, sheds, and attic areas.
  • Consider outdoor lighting during the evening.
  • Control insects in the ground. Wild animals dig for food and will return if the food source is available.
  • Prevent access to the roof by trimming tree branches away from the house.
  • Do not feed or provide food for wild animals. It is illegal to feed raccoons and is punishable up to a $500 fine and court appearance.
  • Removing a wildlife from your property must be done by a permitted trapper, which can be obtained through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 561-625-5122 or www.myfwc.com.

 Coyotes In Our Community

For more information regarding coyotes in our community and how peacefully co-exist, please visit, http://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/coyotes/    

Contact Us

   
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     ​Main Facility:

7100 Belvedere Road
West Palm Beach, 33411
(west of Florida Turnpike)​

 Hours:
Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Animal Viewing Areas - Adoptions - Redemptions
From 12:00 p.m to Closing

Closed on government holidays

​Rabies Vaccines & Microchips:

Saturday and Sunday

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

​​Shelter Map

Main Phone:
 561-233-1200

Toll-free from Delray or Boca:
561-276-1344

Toll-free from West County: 561-924-5656

 Spay/Neuter Clinic Main Facility:
561-233-1261 

TNVR Spay/Neuter services are
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY on Thursdays

**Dates:**

March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th

​DUE TO EXTREME STAFFING CHALLENGES, THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE…

Click here For Other Low Cost Spay and Neuter Services ​​

**********************

West County Pahokee Facility:

3615 SR 715
Pahokee

West County Clinic - Spay/Neuter Services
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY on Tuesdays

**Dates:**

March 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th​

DUE TO EXTREME STAFFING CHALLENGES, THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE…

Click here ​For Other Low Cost Spay and Neuter Services ​​

​Spay/Neuter West County Clinic:
561-924-5657

Stray/Injured Pick Up 561-233-1200,
extension 0

Community Cats/TNVR Services 561-233-5262