Record-Setting Adoption Year for Orange County Animal Services

 Highest Rate in 53-year History

Orange County, Fla. – Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) has published its fiscal year data, revealing the shelter set a record adoption rate in 2022 with 9,066 pets being matched with families. This is the highest adoption year in the shelter’s 53-year history, a milestone that passed the prior record in 2019 by 208 matches.

“We are so grateful to the thousands of area residents who came to the shelter and adopted a pet,” said Diane Summers, manager for Orange County Animal Services. “These sweet creatures are now part of a forever family, and are showering unconditional love in their new homes.”

Another data point of significance, OCAS recorded a 34% increase in the number of shelter visitors, from 64,743 in fiscal year 2021 to 86,846 in fiscal year 2022. Additionally, the shelter was able to maintain an overall live release rate of 91% for shelter pets for the second year in a row.

“Many may not realize how closely we monitor our data, it is hands down the best way to watch for trends, determine where we need to pivot services and programs to best meet community needs and to appreciate how far we’ve come,” said Summers. “We know our community is just as invested in our progress as we are so we strive to make our monthly and annual data easily accessible.”

Animal Services’ statistics, which include historical data going back to 2010, are available on its website. The shelter also published its second annual “Year End Report” which shares the data and certain animal highlights in a magazine style.

“Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re still settling into a new normal, and our data reflects that,” said Summers. “On a positive note, the number of adoptions, OCAS visitors and volunteer hours have increased; on a more concerning note, we did observe an increase in incoming homeless animals.”

The shelter wants to take this opportunity to thank those that have adopted and to remind the public of the importance of adopting and fostering pets in need. Animal Services currently has more than 150 pets available for adoption, all of which can be viewed on the website. Moving into the new fiscal year, the shelter aims to grow its dog foster care program and so is asking those interested in assisting to step forward and learn more.