The Office of Animal Welfare protects the health, safety, and welfare of companion animals, and promotes the human-animal bond in the state of Delaware. An agency of the Division of Public Health, the OAW coordinates programs and policies that protect pets and people and reduce animal homelessness.
Delaware Animal Services (DAS) is the community service and enforcement unit under OAW that works to ensure the health and safety of animals, people and the community. DAS enforces dog control, animal cruelty and rabies control in the state. DAS is committed to creating a safe community that celebrates the human-animal bond, where animals are free from abuse and neglect, every pet has a home, and animal caretakers have access to the tools and resources needed for their companions.
DAS protects animals from abuse, promotes responsible pet ownership, and enhances public safety through rabies control and dangerous dog enforcement. They offer low-cost spay and neuter programs, provide disaster assistance, and help reunite lost pets with their owners. We invite you to join us in supporting their vital work. Together, we can provide the resources needed to make a difference.
“Animal control is an essential public service that protects both pets and people. In communities without these services, stray animals often remain on the streets, lost pets may never make it home, and aggressive or unvaccinated animals can pose real risks to public safety. Dog licensing is part of being a responsible pet owner and helping to maintain a safe and humane community.”
-Mark Tobin, Chief of Delaware Animal Services
DAS needs our help
There has been a noticeable increase in the number of animals being abandoned, surrendered, or found as strays, which has led to more pets entering the shelter. At the same time, adoptions have slowed down. This creates a heavy burden on animal welfare officers and DAS, making additional support crucial to help care for the growing number of pets in need.
How to Help:
License your pet
Licensing fees support vital animal welfare programs and services that keep pets and the community safe by funding essential animal control efforts. These funds also help ensure lost dogs are reunited with their owners, reducing pressure on DAS.
License your pet here.
Donate
Donations provide vital support for the most vulnerable animals in the state and give animal welfare officers the resources they need to protect them. Contributions help DAS provide lifesaving care for animals in the community.
Donate to DAS here.
Impact by the numbers
We hope that by sharing as much information as possible, residents will not only understand the positive impact pet licenses have on the community but also recognize their value.
43
Staff Members
21,879
Calls For Service
4,344
Pets Served
1,592
Lost Pets Reunited
*Yearly average estimates
Your licence fees at work
Each year, thousands of animals in Delaware are rescued who are lost, abused and neglected. While the care, compassion, and love animal welfare officers and shelter workers provide is endless, their budgets, unfortunately, are not. By licensing your pet, you’re not just paying a fee – you’re providing a lifeline for animals like Young Boy and Izzy, who depend on these resources for their well-being and chance at a better life.
Young Boy
Young Boy had never known safety. One of ten dogs struggling to survive in the woods of Sussex County, he suffered from hunger, thirst, and the biting cold. His thin frame and dull coat told a story of hardship. But everything changed when a good Samaritan noticed the dogs tied to trees and called DAS’ dispatch line.
Rescued by DAS animal welfare officers and brought to the shelter, Young Boy finally felt love. He received thorough medical care to treat his malnutrition and injuries, and his body grew stronger.
Soon, a family with four kind-hearted children met Young Boy and instantly fell in love. Now in his forever home, Young Boy spends his days playing in the yard, snuggling on the couch, and soaking up every belly rub and kiss. He is finally living the life every dog deserves.
Izzy
Izzy waited a long time to find her home. She was abandoned and left behind by her owners. When animal welfare officers opened the gate to the yard, Izzy didn’t bark. She just wagged her tail, hopeful.
At the shelter, Izzy made friends with the staff. She loved every walk, every treat, and every kind word. But while other dogs found homes, Izzy kept waiting. For 125 days, she stayed patient and sweet. She became a staff favorite, loved by everyone who met her.
Then one day, a woman with a warm smile stopped at Izzy’s kennel. Her tail thumped the ground. The woman knelt down and whispered, “Hey there, sweet girl.” That day, Izzy finally went home. Snuggled into a soft bed in the back of the car, she felt it in her heart. The waiting was over.