Gilchrist County Animal Services

04/05/2026

🐣🐾 Happy Easter from Gilchrist County Animal Services! 🐾🐣

Wishing you and your furry friends a safe and happy Easter! 🐶🐱💕

Please remember—Easter treats can be harmful to pets, so keep candy and decorations out of reach.

Thank you for helping us care for the animals in our community! 🐾

03/31/2026

🐾 Community Update 🐾

The Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office has a new non-emergency number: 352-440-7361.

This number can be used for non-emergency law enforcement, fire, and medical assistance. A new auto-attendant system will help connect you to the appropriate department.

📞 Please save this number for future use. Call 911 for emergencies.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙞𝙡𝙘𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙛’𝙨 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙣𝙤𝙣-𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙣𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧…𝟯𝟱𝟮-𝟰𝟰𝟬-𝟳𝟯𝟲𝟭

Please use this number to reach the Sheriff’s Office and for assistance with Non-Emergency law enforcement, medical and/or fire services. With the implementation of this number, auto-attendant has also been added, which will assist in routing your calls more efficiently.

As always, for emergencies dial 9-1-1.

03/30/2026

Do you have a heart for animals? 🐾❤️

Gilchrist County Animal Services is NOW HIRING an Animal Services Assistant!

Every day, you’ll help care for animals in need—feeding them, cleaning their spaces, and giving them the compassion they deserve while they wait for their forever homes. 🐶🐱

✨ Full-time & part-time positions available
✨ Great benefits offered

This is more than a job—it’s a chance to make a real difference.

👉 Apply here:
www.gilchristcountyfl.applicantstack.com/x/openings

📲 Scan the QR code in the post to get started!

Join our team and be a voice for animals who need one. 🐾

03/26/2026

🚨 WE’RE HIRING! 🚨

Gilchrist County Animal Services is looking for a dedicated Animal Services Assistant to join our team! 🐶🐱

📌 Part-time or Full-time opportunities available!

✨ Duties include:
• Feeding
• Cleaning
• Caring for animals

🎉 Benefits may include:
• Retirement Plan
• Health Insurance
• Paid Time Off

If you love animals and want to make a difference in their lives every day, this could be the perfect opportunity for you! ❤️

👉 Apply online today:
https://gilchristcountybocc.applicantstack.com/x/openings
📲 Or scan the QR code to apply!

Gilchrist County is an Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace.

03/13/2026

🔥🐾 Burn Ban Lifted – Keep Pets and Livestock Safe 🐾🔥

The Gilchrist County burn ban has been lifted, allowing outdoor burning to resume.

Animal Services reminds residents to keep pets and livestock safe when burning outdoors. Smoke, sparks, and open flames can pose risks to animals, especially if fires are left unattended.

Thank you for helping protect both our community and the animals that live here.

✅🔥 GILCHRIST COUNTY BURN BAN LIFTED 🔥✅

The countywide burn ban for Gilchrist County has been lifted following recent improvements in weather conditions and wildfire risk.

Residents may now resume outdoor burning in accordance with normal state and local regulations.

⚠️ Please continue to use caution when burning outdoors and follow all Florida Forest Service guidelines.
✔️ Always monitor your fire and never leave it unattended.
✔️ Keep water or a hose nearby.
✔️ Ensure fires are completely extinguished before leaving the area.

📞 For more information, please contact Gilchrist County Fire Rescue at (386) 935-5400.

Thank you to everyone who helped protect our community by following the burn ban and doing your part to prevent wildfires. ❤️🔥🚒

03/12/2026

🚫🔥 GILCHRIST COUNTY BURN BAN EXTENDED 🔥🚫
Now in effect through March 19, 2026

Due to continued dry conditions and elevated wildfire risk, the mandatory countywide burn ban originally issued on February 5th has been extended and will remain in effect unless otherwise lifted.

🚫 All outdoor/open burning is prohibited.
✔️ Agricultural burning authorized by the Florida Forest Service is still permitted.

These conditions make it easy for fires to start and spread quickly, putting homes, livestock, pets, and wildlife in danger. Even smoke alone can cause serious health issues for animals, especially those kept outdoors.

⚠️ Violations of the burn ban are a second-degree misdemeanor under County Ordinance 94.09 and Florida Statutes Chapter 252 and may result in:
• Up to 60 days in jail
• Up to a $500 fine

👮‍♂️ All county and municipal law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce this ban.

📞 For more information, please contact Gilchrist County Fire Rescue at (386) 935-5400.

Thank you for helping protect our community, our first responders, and the animals who depend on us. ❤️🔥🐾

🚫🔥 GILCHRIST COUNTY BURN BAN EXTENDED 🔥🚫

Extension of the February 5th Burn Ban – Now in effect through March 19, 2026

Due to continued dry conditions and elevated wildfire risk, the mandatory countywide burn ban has been extended and will remain in effect unless otherwise lifted.

🚫 All outdoor/open burning is prohibited.
✔️ Agricultural burning authorized by the Florida Forest Service is still permitted.

⚠️ Violations of the burn ban are a second-degree misdemeanor under County Ordinance 94.09 and Florida Statutes Chapter 252 and may result in:
• Up to 60 days in jail
• Up to a $500 fine

👮‍♂️ All county and municipal law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce this ban.

📞 For more information, please contact Gilchrist County Fire Rescue at (386) 935-5400.

Thank you for doing your part to protect our community, our firefighters, and our natural resources. ❤️🔥🚒

03/07/2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our colleague and friend, Everritt Heaton. Everritt proudly served alongside our Fire Rescue Department and was a valued part of our Community Paramedic Program.

Through his dedication, compassion, and commitment to serving others, Everritt made a lasting impact on both our department and the community he cared so deeply about. He will be remembered not only for his service, but for the kindness and professionalism he brought to those around him every day.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Everritt’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. He will be greatly missed.

Please keep his loved ones and our Fire Rescue family in your thoughts during this difficult time.

03/05/2026

🚫🔥 GILCHRIST COUNTY BURN BAN EXTENDED 🔥🚫
Now in effect through March 12, 2026

Due to continued dry conditions and an increased risk of wildfires, the mandatory countywide burn ban originally issued on February 5th has been extended and will remain in effect unless otherwise lifted.

🚫 All outdoor/open burning is prohibited.
✔️ Agricultural burning authorized by the Florida Forest Service is still permitted.

These dry conditions make it easy for fires to start and spread quickly, putting homes, livestock, pets, and wildlife at risk. Smoke and fast-moving fires can be especially dangerous for animals that may not be able to escape.

⚠️ Violations of the burn ban are a second-degree misdemeanor under County Ordinance 94.09 and Florida Statutes Chapter 252 and may result in:
• Up to 60 days in jail
• Up to a $500 fine

👮‍♂️ All county and municipal law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce this ban.

📞 For more information, please contact Gilchrist County Fire Rescue at (386) 935-5400.

Thank you for doing your part to protect our community, our first responders, and the animals who call Gilchrist County home. ❤️🔥🐾

🚫🔥 GILCHRIST COUNTY BURN BAN EXTENDED 🔥🚫

Extension of the February 5th Burn Ban – Now in effect through March 12, 2026

Due to continued dry conditions and elevated wildfire risk, the mandatory countywide burn ban has been extended and will remain in effect unless otherwise lifted.

🚫 All outdoor/open burning is prohibited.
✔️ Agricultural burning authorized by the Florida Forest Service is still permitted.

⚠️ Violations of the burn ban are a second-degree misdemeanor under County Ordinance 94.09 and Florida Statutes Chapter 252 and may result in:
• Up to 60 days in jail
• Up to a $500 fine

👮‍♂️ All county and municipal law enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce this ban.

📞 For more information, please contact Gilchrist County Fire Rescue at (386) 935-5400.

Thank you for doing your part to protect our community, our firefighters, and our natural resources. ❤️🔥🚒

03/03/2026

🌍🦉 World Wildlife Day 🐢🌿

Today we’re celebrating the amazing wildlife that calls Gilchrist County home! From river otters splashing in our springs to owls, deer, gopher tortoises, and everything in between—our local wildlife plays a vital role in keeping our ecosystem healthy and thriving.

💡 Wildlife-friendly reminders:
• Never approach or attempt to handle wild animals
• Give wildlife space—especially babies (mom is usually nearby!)
• Secure trash and pet food to avoid attracting wildlife
• Call us if you’re unsure what to do—we’re happy to help!

By respecting wildlife and their habitats, we help keep both people and animals safe. Let’s work together to protect the wild neighbors who make Gilchrist County so special 💚🌎

🦌🐊