WHAT WE RESPOND TO AND WHAT WE DO NOT RESPOND TO:
We WILL RESPOND to:
ANIMAL BITES- when a person or pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal or another domesticated animal.
NUISANCE SNAKES AND ALLIGATORS - we will respond to verify and will likely require contact with a local trapper if removal is necessary.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL NEGLECT/ABUSE - we will respond to investigate abandonment, neglect or abuse along with law enforcement.
CALLS FOR ADVICE - Do not hesitate to reach out to us, if we cannot help, we will likely be able to provide you other resources.
DOMESTIC ANIMALS- We respond to calls regarding domestic animals which pose a public safety risk - and injured domestic animal calls.
We WILL NOT respond to:
Sick and injured wildlife
Stray Domestic Animals:
The Town of Orange Park does not operate an animal shelter, and due to frequent overcrowding at Clay County Animal Services, OPPD can no longer routinely collect and transport stray animals. Officers will continue responding to reports of loose animals, assessing public safety concerns, and making reasonable efforts to locate owners; however, animals posing no public safety threat generally cannot be taken into custody. Residents who find stray animals are encouraged to share photos on neighborhood social media pages or contact Clay County Animal Services regarding shelter availability. We value our partnership with Clay County Animal Services and encourage residents considering a new pet to adopt from their shelter, helping create space for other animals in need.
OUR CONTACT INFORMATION
Code Compliance/Animal Control Officer Ed Kaczkowski at 904-264-5555.
Code Compliance/Animal Control Officer Sarah Draper at 904-264-5555.
In an emergency, it is best to contact the Orange Park Police Department first so they can quickly dispatch an officer. The non-emergency number is 904-264-5555.
Animals outside of the Town limits please contact Clay County Animal Control at 904-269-6342.
OTHER IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS
FWC
- North Central Regional Office: 386-758-0525 — Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Wildlife Alert: 888-404-3922 — for sick or injured wildlife threatening people or pets.
- Private operators listed in FWC’s directory
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Operator
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Location
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Phone
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Edward Shough
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Middleburg
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352-538-0521
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Marshall Pickett
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Middleburg
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352-647-6857
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Mignon Parson
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Middleburg
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352-451-7345
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Quick Catch — Ryan Boyd
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Jacksonville
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904-859-6585
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Rocking Lazy K Outdoors — Matthew Kiehm
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Middleburg
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407-307-4423
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Dead Animal Disposal LLC — Robert Owen
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Green Cove Springs
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904-600-4103
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Referral information: These are private, paid services. FWC lists
these operators as a public service but does not regulate or endorse them; they
must follow applicable wildlife rules. FWC recommends comparing quotes,
checking references and insurance, and reviewing complaints through the BBB or
similar organizations.
Please remind callers to keep children and pets away and not
handle or capture the animal. Any immediate danger to a person should follow
our normal emergency response procedures.
ANIMAL ABANDONMENT FLORIDA STATE STATUTE828.13 Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals.—
(1) As used in this section:
(a) “Abandon” means to forsake an animal entirely or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the legal obligations for care and support of an animal by its owner.
(b) “Owner” includes any owner, custodian, or other person in charge of an animal.
(2) Whoever:
(a) Impounds or confines any animal in any place and fails to supply the animal during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water,
(b) Keeps any animals in any enclosure without wholesome exercise and change of air, or
(c) Abandons to die any animal that is maimed, sick, infirm, or diseased,
is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine.
(3) Any person who is the owner or possessor, or has charge or custody, of any animal who abandons such animal to suffer injury or malnutrition or abandons any animal in a street, road, or public place without providing for the care, sustenance, protection, and shelter of such animal is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine.
Be Responsible – Spay & Neuter
Population numbers of outdoor community cats grow exponentially if reproduction is not altered. Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) is an effective and humane reproduction control method. By removing the reproductive ability in the community and domestic cats the ever-growing numbers decline.
We encourage all pet owners and caregivers to have their pets spayed or neutered.
The Humane Society of Clay County provides free TNR surgery and rabies shots every Tuesday for up to 40 cats. Free spay and neuter for domestic cats is open by appointment only. The Humane Society is a low cost veterinary clinic and does not operate as a shelter facility. Please call (904) 276-7729 for more information or visit their website here.