Environment, Animals & Wildlife

Air Quality

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and local county agencies monitor outdoor air quality across South Florida. Real-time updates and ways to report pollution may be found below.

Broward County:
Find Out Current Air Quality
Report Pollution

Miami-Dade County:
Find Out Current Air Quality
Report Pollution

Animal Cruelty & Abuse

Primary channels for reporting animal neglect, abuse, or abandoned pets. For active cruelty in progress or life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately.

Broward County:
Call: 954-831-4000
After-Hours: 954-764-4357

Miami-Dade County:
Call: 305-468-5900
After-Hours: 305-743-7433
Online: 311 Direct

Note: Cities may use their own local animal control units. If the abuse is regarding wildlife, please contact the Wildlife Hotline: 1-888-404-3922.

Beach Water Quality & Advisories

The Florida Department of Health monitors beach water quality across Florida by testing for bacteria and contamination and issues advisories when swimming may be unsafe. Beach safety is also affected by conditions like rip currents, surf height, and lifeguard flag warnings, with daily rip current risk updates issued by the National Weather Service.

Check Water Quality Information
Check Rip Current & Surf Conditions

Lifeguard stations use a colored flag system to indicate swimming safety conditions:

Green Flag: Low hazard, calm conditions
Yellow Flag: Moderate hazard, caution advised (currents possible)
Red Flag: High hazard, dangerous conditions (strong currents/waves)
Double Red Flag: Water closed to the public, do not enter

Broward Animal Care & Adoption

Broward Animal Care & Adoption provides animal control, sheltering, and adoption services for Broward County. It responds to stray, injured, or dangerous domestic animals, investigates cruelty and neglect, and offers programs such as low-cost or free spay/neuter services to help reduce pet overpopulation and support pet owners.

Phone: 954-359-1313
Visit Website

Broward County Environmental Permitting Division

This division regulates activities that impact Broward County’s natural resources to ensure environmental compliance. It oversees licensing and inspections for tree removal, asbestos abatement, hazardous material storage, and domestic wastewater systems. The division also manages permits for surface water management and wetland resources to protect local water quality and prevent flooding.

Phone: 954-519-1483
Visit Website

Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program

The Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program, administered by Nova Southeastern University, monitors and protects threatened and endangered sea turtle populations across 24 miles of local coastline. Operating daily from March through October, marine turtle specialists patrol the beaches by ATV before sunrise to document nesting activity, secure vulnerable nests with stakes and tape, and track hatching success. The program actively mitigates the impacts of coastal light pollution on hatchlings by conducting lighting compliance surveys and installing protective restraining cages around highly exposed nests to prevent disoriented turtles from wandering toward city streets.

Phone: 954-328-0580
Official Website

Fish Kill Hotline

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fish Kill Hotline allows the public to report incidents where large numbers of fish are found dead or in distress in Florida waterways. Reports help FWC investigate potential causes such as low oxygen levels, pollution, disease, or harmful algal blooms. This information supports water quality monitoring and helps protect aquatic ecosystems across the state.

Phone: 1-800-636-0511
Online Reporting

Florida Algal Bloom Reporting Hotline

Central reporting system for blue-green algae blooms in Florida's freshwater and estuarine systems. Managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to coordinate sampling and public health alerts.

Phone: 1-855-305-390
Website: ReportAlgalBloom.com

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the state agency responsible for protecting Florida’s natural resources, including air, water, and land. It oversees environmental regulation and enforcement, manages state parks, and works to prevent and respond to pollution and environmental damage. FDEP also coordinates cleanup efforts, issues permits, and promotes conservation and sustainable use of Florida’s environment.

Phone: 561-681-6600
Emergencies: Call 911, then DEP at 1-800-320-0519
Website: floridadep.gov

Invasive Species Hotline (IveGot1)

Official reporting channel for non-native fish and wildlife sightings (such as pythons, monitor lizards, or lionfish) to assist state biologists in monitoring and management.

Phone: 1-888-483-4681
Online Reporting

Manatee Welfare (FWC)

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission operates a 24/7 hotline to coordinate the rescue of distressed marine life. Their primary initiatives include dispatching biological teams to rescue sick, injured, orphaned, or cold-stressed manatees, investigating vessel collisions, and handling reports of dead or harassed marine mammals. Callers should be prepared to provide the animal's exact location and physical description.

Phone: 1-888-404-3922
Official Website

Miami-Dade Animal Services

Miami-Dade Animal Services provides animal control, sheltering, and adoption services for Miami-Dade County. It responds to stray, injured, or dangerous domestic animals, investigates cruelty and neglect, and offers low-cost services such as spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, and microchipping to support pet owners and reduce overpopulation. The department also operates community programs like Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) for community cats and wellness clinics for basic pet care.

Phone: 305-468-5900
Website: miamidade.gov/animals

Miami-Dade County Sea Turtle Conservation Program

The Miami-Dade County Sea Turtle Conservation Program, managed by the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, protects and monitors the vulnerable sea turtle populations nesting along the county's 19 miles of coastal beaches. The program's biologists conduct daily beach surveys from April through October to identify, mark, and protect nests, while also running public education campaigns, data collection initiatives, and symbolic nest adoption programs. Additionally, the team manages a dedicated emergency response system to rescue and coordinate medical care for sick, injured, or stranded sea turtles and hatchlings throughout the year.

Phone: 305-310-3046
Visit Website

Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resources Management

DERM protects Miami-Dade County’s natural resources by regulating air and water quality, managing flood protection, and overseeing the conservation of wetlands and coastal areas. The department handles environmental permitting for development, monitors pollution levels, and enforces the county’s environmental code to safeguard public health and local ecosystems like Biscayne Bay.

Phone: 305-372-6789
Visit Website

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station operates as a dedicated wildlife rehabilitation center specializing in the rescue, treatment, and release of injured native birds, sea turtles, and other small mammals. The organization cares for thousands of animals annually, focusing heavily on brown pelicans, while conducting vital environmental education programs to promote local wildlife conservation.

Phone: 305-751-9840
Website: pelicanharbor.org

Poison Control Hotline

Immediate guidance for accidental poisoning, medication errors, or exposure to toxic substances. For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911 immediately.

Human Poisoning: Call 1-800-222-1222.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 1-888-426-4435 (a fee may apply).

Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital

The Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital is a non-profit organization located in Coral Springs that provides environmental education and rehabilitative care for sick, injured, or orphaned native South Florida wildlife. Their hospital treats a wide variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild. For animals with permanent injuries that prevent survival, the center provides a permanent sanctuary, where they serve as "animal ambassadors" for public viewing and youth educational programs.

Phone: 954-752-9453
Website: sawgrassnaturecenter.org

South Florida Wildlife Center

This wildlife trauma hospital rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured, orphaned, or imperiled animals throughout the tri-county area. As one of the highest-volume facilities in the nation, it treats thousands of patients annually across hundreds of species, providing expert veterinary care and specialized nursery support. The center also offers community education to promote peaceful coexistence with native wildlife.

Phone: 954-524-4302
Visit Website

Wildlife Alert Hotline

The Wildlife Alert Hotline is a 24 hour reporting line for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that allows the public to report wildlife violations, injured or nuisance wildlife, boating accidents, and fish and game law concerns. It also serves as a way to report emergencies involving wildlife or dangerous situations in natural areas. Calls are routed to officers who can respond, investigate, or provide guidance, helping protect Florida’s wildlife, natural resources, and public safety.

Hotline: 1-888-404-3922
Alligators: 1-866-392-4286
Text Tips: Text "FWC" to 847411
Website: MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert

Note: Always contact 911 for immediate threats.

Wildlife Rescue of Dade County

Wildlife Rescue of Dade County is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals native to South Florida. The center primarily cares for terrestrial mammals and native migratory birds, ensuring they are fully healed and capable of survival before returning them to the wild. In addition to direct animal care, they provide phone consultations for wildlife emergencies and deliver free educational programs to local schools and community groups.

Phone: 305-342-1075
Website: dadewildliferescue.com