Animal Control

The Animal Control Division plays a very important role in enforcing the City of Port St. Lucie’s ordinances concerning the welfare and protection of all domestic animals and wildlife within the City. 

The mission of the Animal Control Division is to protect the health and safety of the public from loose, vicious, sick and injured animals. We enforce all City and state laws that apply to animals and animal owners. The Division pledges to safeguard the animals in the City from neglect and cruelty. We strive to educate the public about responsible pet ownership and provide programs to decrease the number of unwanted pets in the community.

• Enforcement of city and state laws dealing with domestic animals
• Investigation of dog attacks on humans and domestic animals
• Emergency response to sick or seriously injured animals, vicious animals, reports of animal cruelty and possibly rabid animals
• Removal of stray dogs from residences, streets and public areas
• Reuniting lost animals with their owners
• Dog and cat license enforcement
• Rabies vaccination enforcement

The following is a list of calls that Animal Control routinely responds to:

• Dog at large (in progress)
• Injured or sick animal
• Neglected animal
• Cruelty to animals
• Barking complaint in progress
• Bite incident
• Wildlife inside a dwelling
• Alligators (outside of habitat)
• Venomous snakes on property
• Orphaned wildlife

How many animals am I allowed to have?

You are allowed to have a maximum of five (5) domestic pets to include dogs, cats and a pot bellied pig.

Do I have to register/license my animal?

Yes, all dogs and cats over the age of six (6) months old must be licensed within 30 days of you acquiring the animal and/or establishing residency within the City.

I am a part-time resident, does my animal have to be registered/licensed?

If you reside within the City of Port St. Lucie for six (6) months or more, you are required to obtain a license for your animals.

How can I reach Animal Control?

For general questions or concerns, you may reach the Animal Control office at (772) 871-5042 during our normal office hours of Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Animal Control Officers may also be requested by dialing 911.

Do I need to have both a city and county license for my pet?

No. All cats and dogs over (6) months old must be licensed with the City within 30 days of acquiring the animal and/or establishing residency within the City of Port St. Lucie. A county license is not required.

Why are Animal Control Officers allowed on my property without my permission?

Animal Control Officers are empowered to enter onto private property and demand animals and/or tags to be displayed. The Animal Control Officer may also enter into a fenced enclosure for the purposes of, but not limited to, apprehending a rabid animal, assisting an animal at large, assisting an animal in need of medical attention, cruelty investigations, or vicious animals not properly contained. In these situations, the Animal Control Officers are granted immunity from prosecution for a reasonable good faith trespass on private property.

Will Animal Control remove pest or critters from inside my home?

No, Animal Control is unable to assist in the removal of bees, rats, bats and other like species. You must contact a pest control company or wildlife removal company to obtain these services.

Does the City have a lifetime registration?

Yes, read more on the Pet Licensing webpage.

Where is the closest dog-friendly beach?

The closest dog-friendly beach resides outside of the City of Port St. Lucie at Walton Rocks Beach/Dog Park located at 6700 S. Ocean Dr., Jensen Beach, FL 34957.