ANIMAL SERVICES 2026 YEAR-TO-DATE PERFORMANCE & COMMUNITY IMPACT

Demonstrating the Value of the Current Investment

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

HCSO Animal Services is more than a shelter. It is a comprehensive animal welfare, public health, and public safety operation providing animal control and enforcement, sheltering, veterinary care, adoptions, owner reunification, population management, community outreach, education, and prevention services.

The following results reflect measurable 2026 year-to-date performance through August 31, 2026.

SHELTERING & ANIMAL OUTCOMES

2,115

Animals Entered Animal Services

·         1,192 cats

·         859 dogs

·         64 other animals

2,258

Total Outcomes Recorded

·         795 adoptions

·         353 returned to owner

·         539 transfers

·         305 TNVR outcomes

93.6%

Overall Live Release Rate

Animal Services achieved 1,992 live outcomes, resulting in a 93.6% Live Release Rate based on 2,129 qualifying outcomes after excluding owner-requested euthanasia.

VETERINARY SERVICES & POPULATION MANAGEMENT

Through August 2026, HCSO Animal Services completed 1,253 surgical procedures.

Of those procedures, 1,218 were reproductive or population-management procedures, including TNVR and sterilization procedures for dogs, cats, rabbits, and pigs.

An additional 35 procedures addressed medical and surgical needs, including:

·         Hernia repair

·         Enucleation

·         Mass removal

·         Limb amputation

·         Entropion correction

310 TNVR Surgical Outcomes

The veterinary operation supports both individual animal care and proactive population management, helping address immediate medical needs while reducing future shelter and community animal populations.

ENFORCEMENT & PUBLIC SAFETY

As of August 31, 2026, HCSO Animal Services had responded to 4,366 enforcement calls for service.

These calls represent direct field-based public safety, animal control, and enforcement work performed throughout the community.

These figures demonstrate that Animal Services functions as an active field-service and enforcement operation, not solely as a shelter-based service.

COMMUNITY PREVENTION & OUTREACH

MICROCHIP EVENTS

Helping lost pets be identified and reunited with their families.

POP-UP ADOPTION EVENTS

Bringing adoptable animals directly into the community and creating additional placement opportunities.

MOBILE VETERINARY VACCINATION & MICROCHIPPING TRAILER

Bringing essential veterinary and identification services directly to residents and their pets.

TNVR

Providing humane population-management services for community cats while helping reduce future intake and improve community animal welfare.

EDUCATION, INTERNSHIPS & PARTNERSHIPS

HCSO Animal Services has established partnerships and internship opportunities with:

·         University of Florida

·         St. Petersburg College

·         Hillsborough College

·         Hernando High School

These relationships provide practical, hands-on learning opportunities while helping develop the next generation of professionals in animal welfare, veterinary medicine, shelter operations, and related fields.

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP & RECOGNITION

HCSO Animal Services and its leadership continue to contribute to the broader animal welfare profession.

·         Sheriff Al Nienhuis - Recipient of the FAPAA Sentinel Award during the past year.

·         Captain John Cameron IV - Board of Directors, Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy Association (FAPAA).

·         Director David Paloff - Board of Directors, Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations (FAAWO).

·         Dr. Tiffany Bogart - Finalist for Shelter Veterinarian of the Year.

REVENUE GENERATED

$251,539.21

Reported revenue generated year-to-date

In addition to providing essential animal welfare, public safety, enforcement, and community services, Animal Services has generated $251,539.21 in reported revenue year-to-date.

WHY CONTINUED INVESTMENT MATTERS

The results achieved through August 2026 demonstrate the breadth and measurable impact of HCSO Animal Services.

Continued support in FY27 will allow Animal Services to sustain the services residents rely upon while continuing to strengthen:

·         Animal control & enforcement

·         Veterinary care

·         Population management

·         Sheltering & positive outcomes

·         Community prevention

·         Education & outreach

·         Professional partnerships

·         Public safety

·         Service to Hernando County residents

ANIMAL SERVICES IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.

Measured by outcomes.

Strengthened by prevention.

Supported by veterinary care.

Delivered through public safety and enforcement.

Made possible through partnerships and service to residents.

HCSO ANIMAL SERVICES
2026 Year-to-Date Performance | Through August 31, 2026