Animal Care & Protective Services
Our Mission
Animal Care and Protective Services is dedicated to protecting the people of Jacksonville and caring for our city's animals, building a stronger, more compassionate community together. We strive every day to ensure that our shelter is a place of action, accountability, and hope for every animal that comes through our doors.
Serving Our City
As the municipal shelter for Jacksonville—the largest city by land area in the continental United States—we serve as a vital hub for animal welfare. Each year, we protect and care for 6,000 to 8,000 animals, responding to more than 30,000 calls for service across Duval County to keep families together and pets safe.
How We Care
Our work goes far beyond sheltering. We provide comprehensive medical attention and behavior support, while fostering a vibrant network of volunteers and foster parents who help our animals thrive. Whether through specialized medical treatment or enrichment programs, we are committed to maintaining high standards of care while increasing life-saving outcomes.
Finding Your Perfect Match
Adopting a pet is a life-changing experience, and our dedicated team is here to help you find the perfect companion for your lifestyle. We focus on responsible, thoughtful matches that ensure a lifetime of joy and companionship for both you and your new family member.
Join Our Family
We invite you to experience the unconditional love that comes with giving a homeless pet a second chance. Visit our shelter, explore our adoptable pets online, or reach out to us today to see how you can make a meaningful difference in the life of a shelter animal.
- Caring staff and volunteers
- Transparent information for some adopters
- Operational friction and long wait times
7/25 - Take your pick from these dogs and cats yearning for a home - AOL
Northeast Florida animal shelters feature a variety of dogs and cats available for adoptions. Here are 8 this week.
7/23 - Dogs and cats up for adoption at Jacksonville-area shelters
Northeast Florida animal shelters have a variety of dogs and cats available for adoption. Here are 8 this week.
7/17 - Dogs and cats up for adoption at Jacksonville-area shelters
Northeast Florida animal shelters have a variety of dogs and cats available for adoption. Here are 8 this week.
7/16 - Woman pleads guilty in animal cruelty case of emaciated Great Dane found in Jacksonville
Eight months after her arrest in the animal cruelty case of an emaciated Great Dane found in Jacksonville, a 43-year-old woman has pleaded guilty, court records show.
7/11 - Take your pick from these dogs and cats yearning for a home
Northeast Florida animal shelters feature a variety of dogs and cats available for adoptions. Here are 8 this week.
7/10 - ACPS, Nassau County Animal Services seeking information on dog found with third-degree burns in Duval County
Animal Care and Protective Services and Nassau County Animal Services are investigating a suspected animal cruelty case after a dog with third-degree burns was found abandoned in Duval County, the agencies said Friday.
7/4 - Take your pick from these dogs and cats yearning for a home
Northeast Florida animal shelters feature a variety of dogs and cats available for adoptions. Here are 8 this week.
7/1 - Dogs and cats up for adoption at Jacksonville-area shelters
Northeast Florida animal shelters have a variety of dogs and cats available for adoption. Here are 8 this week.
6/30 - BIT OF JOY | Bold Kitty Cafe | Jacksonville Today
Jacksonville's city animal shelter unveiled a new dog park and cat cafe.
6/30 - On Wednesday’s show: The 'Fee State' of Florida?
Investigative reporter Jason Garcia explores what happens to Florida cities and small town budgets if voters approve property tax cuts
6/21 - Happy Tails! Nearly 300 dogs and cats adopted at MEGA pet adoption event in Jacksonville
Several shelters from counties across North Florida gathered at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville, bringing pets to potential adopters who may not have had the chance to meet them oth...
6/2 - Can you help these sweet faces? ACPS urgently seeks adopters, foster families after Southside cat rescue
Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Protective Services is asking for the community’s help after a large-scale rescue operation on the city’s Southside left its cat kennels completely full.
5/30 - Take your pick from these dogs and cats yearning for a home - AOL
Northeast Florida animal shelters featire a variety of dogs and cats available for adoptions. Here are 8 this week.
5/28 - Dogs and cats up for adoption at Jacksonville-area shelters
Northeast Florida animal shelters have a variety of dogs and cats available for adoption. Here are 8 this week.
5/27 - Neighbors oppose new Jacksonville puppy store before it opens, store manager responds
Bark Street Puppies is set to open Saturday on Beach Boulevard, but not everyone in Jacksonville supports having another puppy store.
5/25 - Navy veteran's search intensifies for injured service dog missing in Jacksonville
A veteran from Iowa is determined to find his service dog Mal’i, who went missing after a hit-and-run in Jacksonville. Locals and volunteers are helping the search.
5/1 - Pet adoption fees waived in Jacksonville through May 17
This year, the Jacksonville community has two participating shelters in the nationwide effort.
3/22 - 140 Jacksonville dogs and cats receive free vet care at ACPS event
The clinic was aimed at three Jacksonville zip codes identified by the city shelter as having the highest need. Food, vaccines, microchips and more were provided.
2/17 - Animal Care and Protective Services to host blood drive fundraiser with LifeSouth on Feb. 19
Animal Care and Protective Services will host a blood drive on Feb. 19 at its facility on 2020 Forest St.
