Humane Education › Animal Welfare
Animal Welfare
Reporting animal cruelty and understanding the facts.
Animal-Related Complaint Handling
For issues related to animal control, such as injured, sick, or stray domestic animals, aggressive animal attacks, or cases of animal cruelty, please contact Marion County Animal Services. They are responsible for enforcing state laws and county ordinances related to animals and handle over 10,000 calls annually. Their animal control officers are available for emergencies 24 hours a day.
Livestock, After-Hours, Weekends & Holidays
Phone: Marion County Sheriff's Office at 352-732-9111
Email: [email protected]
Please note that emails for non-urgent matters will not receive immediate replies. For urgent emergencies, it is best to call directly.
Animal Abuse Statistics
Source: USA Today / Mandy Sleight & Kara McGinley, Jan 10, 2024
Animals die from abuse or cruelty every year in the United States.
Animals annually are found to be victims of animal hoarding, with most living in unsanitary conditions.
That enter shelters across the country are euthanized annually.
Of exotic lizards, snakes, turtles and tortoises taken from the wild die in captivity within their first year.
Estimated puppy mills exist in the country.
Animals are killed in U.S. laboratories each year.
Of people arrested for animal abuse or cruelty have had multiple past arrests, with 70% having prior felonies.
Of people who committed domestic violence were also found to be animal abusers.
Humane Education Coordinator
Contact Aimee Pritchard to schedule a visit, register for a program, or learn more about our humane education offerings.