City of Jacksonville's Animal Care & Protective Services is at Critical Capacity

August 04, 2022

Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) urgently needs dog adopters and fosters. The shelter is at critical capacity.

There are 346 dogs currently in the shelter. The shelter contains 264 dog kennels. Citizens are encouraged to adopt or foster a dog and help lost pets get back home as an alternative to bringing them to the shelter. The greatest need is for medium and large dogs. Foster commitment varies and staff will help you find a match.

Here are some ways the community can help:

• ADOPT - ACPS has more than 200 dogs available for adoption and ready to go home with you today. Adoptions are free. City license fees may apply.
• FOSTER - If you are able to take a medium or large dog into your home, please come to ACPS. Even if you can only foster for a few days, it helps!
• RECLAIM - If you have lost your pet or if you have surrendered your pet to ACPS in the last 90 days and they are still here, please come to the shelter to reclaim if you are now in a position to take them back. Sterilized reclaim fees are waived. City license fees may apply.
• REUNITE - If you have found a lost pet, please look for its home before bringing it to the shelter. More than 65% of dogs entering our shelter are lost pets. Dogs found and kept in their neighborhood are 85% more likely to get home and most are reunited within 24 hours of being found. After entering the shelter only about 20% are reunited with their owners.

Visit the ACPS shelter (2020 Forest St. - 32204) in person or visit www.coj.net/pets to view available pets. Adoption hours are Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This weekend there will be a free pet adoption event at PetSmart (8801 Southside Blvd. - 32256). Adoptions will be free on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. City license fees may apply. All pets will be spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and ready to go home with you!

About ACPS: ACPS enhances the quality of life in our neighborhoods by offering quality pets for adoption at a reasonable cost. ACPS is dedicated to providing a high level of service to the citizens of Jacksonville and to saving lives of all adoptable animals in our community.  Animal Care and Protective Services can be reached via email at [email protected] or call (904) 630-CITY (2489).