Humane Society
The Humane Society of Broward County helps residents adopt pets, arrange certain pet health services, seek behavior support, foster animals, and surrender pets they own. This article explains how those services work, what to prepare before visiting, and when Broward County Animal Care and Adoptions is the appropriate office for a lost or found animal.
Which Animal Service Do You Need?
The Humane Society of Broward County, often abbreviated HSBC, is an independent nonprofit shelter. It is not a Broward County government department. Its official website provides information about adoptable pets, shelter programs, and services for pet owners. The distinction matters most when an animal is missing or has been found: HSBC accepts owned animals through its surrender process, while Broward County Animal Care and Adoptions maintains information about lost and stray animals reported to the county.
For an adoption, begin with HSBC’s pet listings and adoption instructions. For a pet you own and can no longer keep, review the shelter’s surrender requirements before requesting an Admissions appointment. For a missing pet or an animal you found, contact Broward County Animal Care and Adoptions and review its lost-animal information. These are different processes, and completing an HSBC adoption or surrender form does not place a lost pet in the county’s lost-and-found system.
HSBC also offers low-cost spay and neuter appointments, a walk-in vaccination department, microchipping, and behavior and training programs. Each service has its own eligibility rules or visiting procedure. In particular, adoption visiting hours, Admissions appointments, and vaccine clinic hours should not be treated as interchangeable.
Adopting a Pet From HSBC
The pet adoption overview is the starting point for viewing available animals and reading the shelter’s process. HSBC features dogs, cats, and other small pets. Think about the animal’s needs alongside your household’s schedule and living arrangements before choosing a pet based on a photograph or a brief description. Shelter staff can help visitors consider an animal’s personality and how it may fit their lifestyle.
Applications for Florida Residents
HSBC provides separate pre-adoption applications for Florida residents and out-of-state residents. Select the application that matches where you live. Submitting one does not mean the shelter will call you afterward. If you are interested in a particular dog or cat, the adoption instructions say to call the adoption extension or visit during the posted visiting period. Because an animal’s availability can change, an application alone should not be taken as confirmation that a specific pet is being held for you.
Before you visit, consider landlord approval, the views of other household members, the needs of pets you already have, ongoing costs, the time you can devote to an animal, and the supplies you will need at home. These questions are especially useful if you are deciding between pets with different sizes, activity levels, or care needs. They also help you discuss a realistic match with shelter staff.
Limits on Out-of-State Adoptions
Out-of-state adoption is reserved for animals that have had difficulty finding a home. Puppies and kittens are not candidates for that process. HSBC also states that it cannot adopt animals outside the continental United States and Canada. An applicant living outside Florida should review these limits before making travel plans or assuming that every animal shown online is available through the out-of-state application.
Fees and Adoption Visits
Adoption fees depend on the age and number of animals being adopted. The shelter’s adoption information says fees can include services such as spaying or neutering, flea and tick treatment, vaccinations, and wellness checks. Review the information for the animal you are considering and ask the adoption team about the applicable fee and included services before completing the adoption.
The shelter lists adoption hours from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, with the adoption desk closing at 5:30 p.m. Allow time to meet an animal and speak with staff before the desk closes. Once a pet comes home, a quiet introduction and a patient routine may help an animal adjust to unfamiliar people and surroundings, particularly if it was previously surrendered or abandoned.
Lost Pets and Found Animals
A lost-pet search should include Broward County Animal Care and Adoptions. HSBC’s lost-and-found information explains that the county agency posts pets at its facility and pets that finders have reported to it. HSBC advises owners to visit the county facility in person to look for a missing pet. Contacting HSBC alone does not replace checking the county’s records and facility.
If you found an animal, contact Broward County Animal Care and Adoptions. The county agency keeps a database of lost and stray animals in Broward County. HSBC’s lost-and-found page distinguishes reporting a found pet with identification from reporting one without identification. Tell the receiving office what identification, if any, you observed; do not assume that an animal without a visible tag has no owner.
For your own pet, keep a current written description and photographs that show identifying markings. Record license and ID tag numbers as well. If your pet is microchipped and your contact information changes, update the information with the chip company. Those details can help you describe an animal during a search and make it easier for someone who finds your pet to contact you.
County Licensing and Rabies Tags
Licensing and an HSBC vaccination visit are related but distinct matters. HSBC says pet licensing is handled through Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Center or a veterinarian. Its vaccine clinic can provide a rabies tag only when the pet received its rabies vaccination at HSBC. If the animal was vaccinated elsewhere, the shelter directs owners to Broward County Animal Care and Adoption for the tag. Keep vaccination records and identification information together so you can identify where the vaccination occurred when requesting a tag.
Surrendering a Pet You Own
If you can no longer care for your pet, read HSBC’s animal surrender instructions before arranging a visit. The shelter accepts owned animals with proof of ownership, but surrender appointments are available to Broward County residents only. The Admissions Department operates by appointment and is closed on major holidays. An appointment request is subject to final approval by Admissions staff, so check your email for correspondence, including a cancellation notice.
HSBC states that it does not accept birds, livestock, reptiles, wild animals, amphibians, or some exotic pets. Its surrender page also says pocket-pet surrenders, including rabbits and guinea pigs, are suspended until further notice. These restrictions differ from the types of animals that may appear in the shelter’s adoption listings. Do not assume an animal can be surrendered simply because HSBC has offered similar animals for adoption.
Animals accepted for surrender are evaluated for health and temperament. HSBC says an animal that meets its adoption criteria can be placed for adoption without a set time limit, provided it remains in good physical and emotional health and maintains suitable behavior. Surrender is a final transfer of ownership rights. Afterward, the former owner cannot obtain updates about the animal’s status by calling or visiting. Consider that consequence before attending the appointment.
Surrender Fees and Payment
HSBC lists a $50 surrender fee for one pet and $40 for each additional pet from the same household. It limits adult-pet surrenders to five animals over six months old per household per week. A litter costs $65; the shelter defines a litter as siblings of the same age that are younger than six months. HSBC staff determine age. The fee is due at surrender, and the shelter accepts exact cash, credit, or a check. Surrender fees are nonrefundable regardless of the animal’s outcome or the services provided.
These are shelter fees paid to HSBC, an independent nonprofit. They are separate from county animal-control services. If you are considering an appointment because of a temporary difficulty with food, litter, housing, or your pet’s behavior, the surrender page also describes support and alternatives that may help you assess your options before making a final decision.
Items to Bring to Admissions
Bring the materials the shelter requests for its appointment. Preparing them in advance can prevent a mismatch between the ownership paperwork and the person who arrives with the animal:
Any veterinary records or adoption papers you have for the pet. The person named on the paperwork must be present.
A valid driver’s license or state identification card.
Payment for the applicable surrender fee.
The animal on a secure leash or in an appropriate carrier.
HSBC also recommends bringing a familiar small item, such as a toy or blanket, to help reduce the pet’s stress. For a scheduled surrender, enter through the west side of the building at Admissions. Calling the Admissions number may require allowing 48 hours for a return call; the shelter’s surrender page also describes online appointment scheduling. If an appointment is canceled, follow the cancellation email rather than relying on an automated confirmation you may still receive.
Spay and Neuter Appointments
HSBC’s low-cost spay and neuter service covers eligible owned cats and dogs and discusses free-roaming community cats separately. These services are available to Broward County residents only. At the appointment, accepted proof of residency is a Florida driver’s license or state ID, or a cable, electric, or utility bill. The shelter says it may refuse service if proof of residency is not shown or if an animal is not suitable for surgery.
For owned pets, kittens must be at least two pounds or eight weeks old. Dogs must be between ten weeks and seven years old. For free-roaming cats, the described process involves spaying or neutering and returning the cats to their outdoor home. Those cats receive an ear notch identifying that they have been sterilized. When selecting an appointment, use the category that reflects the animal’s circumstances.
Appointments are booked online. HSBC specifically asks people not to call or come to the shelter to book a spay or neuter appointment. Its appointment supply can fill quickly, with new dates added daily. If no date appears when you check, revisit the scheduling page for availability rather than treating a full calendar as an appointment or arriving without one.
Vaccinations and Microchipping
The vaccination and microchipping page lists vaccine packages, individual services, and clinic instructions. Unlike the spay and neuter program, the vaccination department is walk-in only and does not accept advance appointments. The clinic is listed as open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a daily closure from 11:40 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Bring a cat in a carrier or a dog on a leash. HSBC asks visitors to print and complete its vaccine clinic consent form before arriving to expedite the visit.
The page lists a $30 rabies vaccination and microchipping at $25 plus tax. Rabies tags carry an additional fee. Packages and other individual services have separate listed prices, so identify the service you want before visiting and review the clinic page for the applicable charge. A vaccination visit should not be confused with an Admissions appointment or an online surgery booking.
Some clinic purchases have additional conditions. To buy flea or tick prevention from HSBC, the pet must be brought to the vaccine clinic to be weighed or must have visited that clinic within the previous 12 months. The shelter says it sells heartworm prevention only when HSBC has performed the heartworm test. It also states that a cat must test negative before receiving the feline leukemia vaccine. For fecal testing, bring a fresh sample. Reading the conditions for the particular service can spare you an extra trip.
Behavior Support and Training
HSBC’s behavior and training program includes dog classes, a behavior helpline, and information on dog, cat, and rabbit behavior. For a pet with an immediate behavior problem, the helpline is a more direct starting point than waiting for a class opening. If behavior is one reason you are considering surrender, review the support options while you still own the animal.
The listed dog class has six sessions, including a mandatory orientation without the dog. Dogs must be at least five months old, current on vaccines, wearing a rabies tag, and spayed or neutered. Classes are limited to five dogs. Bring neither your dog nor training equipment to the first orientation. For later lessons, the program asks participants to bring a six-foot leash, water and a bowl, and treats the dog likes.
Registration requires a completed form, proof of vaccinations, and payment. HSBC lists a minimum donation of $180 for dogs adopted from its shelter and $210 for other dogs. It does not reserve a place without payment and says there are no refunds after the first class. Because the next available class may be several weeks away, a pet owner seeking help with a current issue can contact the behavior helpline rather than assuming a class will begin immediately.
Fostering an HSBC Animal
For people who can provide temporary care, the Foster Families program covers young animals and selected adult pets. Registered foster families may care for animals in both programs. Applicants must be at least 18 and live in a community that permits pets. Foster families must reside in Broward, Dade, or Palm Beach counties. Teens may help a parent and earn service hours, but the adult is the registered volunteer and must handle the application and program communications.
HSBC describes four application steps: view the orientation video, complete the appropriate post-orientation assessment, submit the application, and email a valid driver’s license and a selfie. If the address on the license differs from the current address, include proof of residence such as a utility bill or lease. The adult assessment and any participating teen’s assessment must come from their respective email addresses. An incomplete application is held for 30 days to allow missing information to be submitted, then removed from the database.
Foster families provide a clean, safe indoor environment and keep basic care supplies on hand. HSBC says food, medication, and cat litter are supplied, and there is no cost to become a foster family. The program information says the shelter is particularly seeking applicants able to care for animals needing extra attention, medication, or other special support, and that applications may be declined based on stated preferences. Review the orientation before applying so you understand the care currently needed.
Baby fosters care for puppies or kittens until they meet the program’s return requirements; kittens generally need to reach eight weeks of age and 1.7 pounds before returning to the shelter for adoption. Adult fosters give selected pets a temporary home and help potential adopters learn about them. HSBC processes the adoption paperwork when an appropriate adopter is found. Fostering is a temporary care arrangement, so use the foster application rather than the adoption application if that is the role you want.
Offices and Contact Information
Humane Society of Broward County — 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 — 954-989-3977.
Humane Society of Broward County Admissions Department — 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 — 954-266-6873.
Broward County Animal Care and Adoptions — 954-359-1313.
Humane Society FAQs
Can my teenager volunteer at the shelter?
The Humane Society of Broward County offers an on-site volunteer program for high school students ages 16 to 18, but its volunteer page says all teen positions are filled for the remainder of 2026. Registration for 2027 is scheduled to open in November. A teen who wants to help sooner may be able to participate in foster care with a parent, though the parent must apply as the registered volunteer.
Can I sign up to walk shelter dogs?
Dog walking has a prerequisite. Applicants first join the Dog PAL program, where trained volunteers spend time with dogs in the kennels. After three months in that role, volunteers who demonstrate that they can handle dogs of different sizes may request a move to dog walking. Both roles require experience handling large dogs and a commitment to the same shift each week. Review the current roles before choosing an orientation.
How do teens earn service hours through fostering?
A teen must foster alongside a parent or guardian, watch the orientation, complete the teen assessment, help care for the animal, and keep a daily log. The foster program awards five service hours for each full day the animal stays in the home. The adult remains responsible for the application and program communications, so families should complete the required steps under the correct adult and teen email addresses.
Are there adoption programs that cover a pet’s fee?
Some pets are featured through special adoption programs. The shelter’s adoption overview describes Dolly’s Dream, which covers the adoption fee and a going-home care package for select dogs. It also lists Senior Scholarships and Diamond in the Ruff. Eligibility depends on the program and the animal; check the program details before assuming a pet’s fee is covered.