Jacksonville animal shelter asks for fosters, adopters as it cares for 400+ dogs with more on the way

Jacksonville’s animal shelter is caring for more than 400 dogs in 264 kennels, with more expected from cases this week. ACPS is asking for the community’s help.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services is asking the community to foster and adopt as the shelter deals with a surge in dogs and prepares for even more animals to arrive this week.

ACPS is currently housing more than 400 dogs in its 264 kennels, according to the City of Jacksonville. Two large cases involving multiple dogs are still being investigated, and ACPS Chief Michael Bricker said the number of animals involved could vary widely.

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“It could be as little as two or three, it could be as much as 25 or 35 or even more we’ve seen,” Bricker said.

Bricker said summer is already the busiest time of year for animal intake at ACPS because more people are outside and more loose dogs are seen and reported.

The shelter has also recently been responding to multiple calls involving homes with several dogs.

“There was 9 dogs that came in,” Bricker said. “So, it’s just been consistent like that.”

Those animals are coming in alongside the shelter’s regular intake, including stray animals, owner surrenders and animal cruelty cases. The high number of dogs is creating a space challenge inside the shelter.

ACPS makes space by co-housing when two dogs are compatible and can safely share a kennel. Bricker said co-housing can actually help some dogs become more adoptable because potential adopters can see how they interact with another dog.

“We also have dogs that cannot be cohoused,” Bricker said. “So they don’t like being with another dog.”

When ACPS has to separate those animals, Bricker said the dogs have less space.

“When we have 433 dogs and only 264 kennels, that just means more dogs sharing a small space,” Bricker said.

The shelter has already seen the community respond. Bricker said ACPS sent more than 100 animals to foster homes or adopters over the weekend, but new animals continue to arrive.

“Today we just got more dogs in,” Bricker said. “Tomorrow we’re expecting more dogs.”

Bricker said he expects the shelter could be back at its current number by the end of the week.

One of the ways ACPS is asking people to help is through fostering. Bricker said fostering does not have to be a long-term commitment and can last for a couple of days, weeks or months.

Getting dogs out of the shelter and into a home can benefit both the animal and ACPS.

“Any break out of a chaotic kennel is a good break,” Bricker said.

Bricker said foster families can also provide information ACPS may not learn from seeing a dog inside a kennel, which can help them find a suitable adopter sooner.

For people interested in fostering, Bricker said the process is simple. Residents can come to ACPS between noon and 7 p.m., meet with the foster team and, if they choose, go home with a dog that day.

Adoption fees are also currently waived.

Bricker said adopted animals leave ACPS with several services already provided.

“Each dog that’s adopted from us is fully vaccinated, spayed and neutered, it’s microchipped, it’s flea and tick treated, has all those things, and you’d be getting that for completely free,” Bricker said.

The push for adoptions and fosters comes as ACPS points to progress it has made over the past year despite increased demand.

According to the City of Jacksonville, ACPS cared for nearly 30% more animals over the past year while total adoptions increased 44.5%, from 2,890 to 4,176.

Dog adoptions rose nearly 50%, while dogs reunited with their owners increased 50.2%. Dog intake climbed 29%, while dog euthanasia dropped 15.5%.

The city said the dog save rate improved to 88.41%.

Bricker said the current situation is why the shelter is asking for the community’s help now. ACPS is hoping to get more visitors through its Clear the Shelters adoption event this Saturday at its location at 2020 Forest St.

“There’s a bunch of dogs in these kennels that are super adoptable, amazing pets that just need to go to a home,” Bricker said.

People interested in adopting can also use the city’s JaxPawFinder app before visiting the shelter. The city says the app matches potential adopters with animals based on factors including age, size, personality and energy level. All animals in the shelter can also be viewed online.

Bricker said the community’s response can make a significant difference for the animals and the shelter.

“If the public would come and just adopt a cat or a dog, specifically dogs right now, but cats with tons of those available too,” Bricker said, “it would make such a huge impact for us and for the animals and for the community as a whole.”