About Us
Mission Statement
The Department of Animal Care provides the citizens of Richland County with the protection of life and property through prompt response time and efficient procedures. The Department attempts to reduce the number of strays, control the outbreak of rabies and educate the public on the importance of licensing their pets and the responsibilities of pet ownership.
Responsibilities
The Department of Animal Care is responsible for the enforcement of laws that protects people, animals and property. Some of the services provided are to:
- Transport sick, injured and stray animals to designated facilities that can provide proper care and treatment.
- Respond to citizens’ requests for service.
- Patrol the County for stray and unwanted animals at large.
- Investigate reports of animal bites in cooperation with the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
- Investigate reports of abandoned or abused animals.
- Investigate reports of vicious or dangerous animals.
- License pets and keep up-to-date rabies vaccination records.
- Rescue distressed animals.
- Issue citations and testify in court.
- Reunite lost pets with their owners.
- Provide educational information to communities.
- Provide shelter for stray, lost and abandoned animals.
- Trap at large and quarantined dogs and cats.
- Conduct public information campaigns.
- Provides 24-hour emergency service.
Animal Care Officers and staff respond to over 12,000 complaints or requests for service annually.
Richland County Animal Care does it's best to maintain high standards in containment, housing, and veterinary needs of the animals in their care. Animals are housed at several locations throughout the county.
Contact Us
The main office of Richland County Animal Care is located at:
400 Powell Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29203
Office Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
Pet Licensing Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
To file a concern or request for service, call the Ombudsman's Office at (803) 929-6000.
Animal Care can be reached at our general E-mail address at AnimalCare@richlandcountysc.gov
or you can email us individually at the following addresses:
After hours, weekends and evenings, citizens are asked to call 803-252-2911 in the event of an emergency.