Admissions & Receiving

How Animals Enter...

Animals enter HHS one of three ways... 

Animal Control:
Each municipality in Volusia County employs its own Animal Control Department. This is a separate entity and not associated with Halifax Humane Society. However, many municipalities contract with local Humane Societies, such as HHS, to house stray animals that are picked up. When an animal is brought to HHS by Animal Control, we provide for that animal during a “Stray” period of a minimum of 3 days (the law requires a minimum of 72 hours) in hopes that an owner will retrieve their lost pet. If no owner  comes forward, the animal becomes the property of the Humane Society. At this time, the animal is given an evaluation for general health and temperament. If the animal is deemed adoptable, it is placed in the adoption kennels. If the animal has an untreatable illness or is otherwise dangerous to people and other animals, it will be humanely euthanized. Exception to the minimum holding period of lost or stray animals would include those that are harboring contagious diseases or suffering from severe injuries. Under these conditions, euthanasia is often the most humane option.

Concerned Citizens: 
Many times the public will bring in animals they have found wandering loose. These animals are treated in the same manner as animals brought in by Animal Control.

Owner Surrender:
Animals that are not longer wanted by their owners are accepted at the shelter. There is no fee charged for accepting these animals. A holding period of 24 hours is given to these animals in the event their owner changes their mind. Then the animal is evaluated for general health and temperament to determine placement. If the animal is brought to HHS with severe behavior problems, chronic disease or advanced age, the owner is asked to sign paperwork to humanely euthanize the animal to avoid suffering for the animal and to promote the safety of people and other animals at the shelter. It is our belief that subjecting an animal to a stressful situation by holding it in a cage with no hope of placement into a new home would be inhumane.

Municipalities that contract with HHS

Daytona Beach
DeBary
Deltona
Holly Hill
Lake Helen
Orange City
Ormond Beach
Pierson
Ponce Inlet
Port Orange
South Daytona
Unincorporated Volusia County 

If you have lost an animal, it is important that you contact your local City Animal Control Department to find out which shelter stray animals taken to.

Daytona Beach Animal Control 
Holly Hill Animal Control 
Ormond Beach Animal Control 
Port Orange Animal Control 
South Daytona Animal Control 
Volusia County Animal Control 
Deland Animal Control 
Deltona Animal Control 
Edgewater Animal Control 
New Smyrna Beach Animal Control
Orange City/DeBary Animal Control