Orange County has updated its animal welfare ordinance, modernizing Chapter 5, Article II of the county code to address longstanding issues and align with Florida law. The changes became effective on February 17 2026.
The revision sets minimum requirements for pet sales, requiring puppies and kittens to be at least eight weeks old and to be sold with an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days, with citation fines for violations. Microchipped animals are held longer in shelters, while pets without identification are held for shorter periods, and owners are encouraged to register current microchip information. Trap‑neuter‑return is now the standard for community cats, and caretakers are urged to spay or neuter them. Pets reclaimed from Animal Services must be microchipped, a service that costs $15 and includes lifetime registration. The ordinance also mirrors the statewide Pam Rock Act, mandating $100,000 liability insurance, secure confinement and additional penalties for dogs classified as dangerous. Mandatory sterilization will be required after the first impound of select pets, expanding to all pets after a second impound, with exemptions for medical necessity, breeding dogs, competition animals, law‑enforcement dogs and service animals.
Officials said the updates were designed to safeguard the overall well‑being of pets throughout the community.
Press release issued by Orange County Government Newsroom:
https://newsroom.ocfl.net/2026/02/community-changes-will-make-tails-wag-animal-services-rolls-out-protections-for-pets/
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