Animal Care & Protective Services

Our shelter is facing an urgent situation: a recent case has brought an overwhelming number of animals into our care, and as a result, our cat kennels are completely full.

If you’ve ever thought about adopting or fostering, there has never been a more critical time. Even making space for one cat can change everything for an animal in need.

We have cats and kittens of all ages, temperaments, and personalities — from playful kittens to relaxed lap cats. No matter what kind of feline friend you’re seeking, you’ll find them here, ready to meet you. Come take a look!

📍2020 Forest Street
⏰️ Open EVERYDAY 12pm - 7pm.

Since we’ve been talking about our Length of Stay list lately, we wanted to share one of many heartwarming success stories of a former long timer, Indiana Bones, now known as Jordy!

In September 2024, Jordy found his forever family after spending over a year waiting at our shelter. His new family first discovered him through our amazing volunteer, Holly M., who knew Jordy would be the perfect match for them, even though he had been overlooked time and time again.

After their beloved rescue dog passed away from cancer, Jordy’s family wanted a new companion. They brought him home for a trial weekend over Labor Day, but after just one night, they knew Jordy was meant to stay.

Jordy settled in right away, bonding with his favorite person, his 3-year-old human sister. This past year, he even welcomed a new baby sister into his pack! Now, Jordy is the heart of his family, greeting them at the door, joining in on every adventure, and showering his little humans with love.

With a personality as big as his heart, Jordy fills his days running, playing, and demanding all the pets (as his now 4-year-old human says, “he loves getting pets and I’ll pet him”).
His family is overjoyed to have given Jordy the loving home he waited so patiently for.

Jordy’s story is another powerful reminder of why our Length of Stay list exists: to shine a light on deserving animals who just need a chance, and to celebrate the joy that comes when a long-timer finally finds their family.

If you’ve ever thought about making a difference, now is the perfect time.
Whether you open your home to foster or choose to adopt, you can change the life of a long-timer like Jordy—or any one of the wonderful animals waiting for a second chance.

Hello! Have you seen my owner? Found on North Washington Street in the 32206 zip code. Currently safe at ACPS!

Why length of stay matters and what it means for the animals in our care.

When an animal comes into our shelter, the clock starts. Not as a countdown, but as a measure of how long they have been waiting for the life they deserve.

Length of stay is one of the most important data points in animal welfare. The longer a pet stays in a shelter, the harder it gets. Not because of anything wrong with them, but because shelters are not homes. The sounds, the smells, the lack of routine, the absence of a person to belong to. Over time, that environment takes a toll. Animals can become stressed, withdrawn, or frustrated. Some develop behavioral changes that make them harder to place. Not because they are bad animals, but because they have been waiting too long.

This is why length of stay is not just a number. It is a signal. And when we pay attention to it, we can intervene with more visibility, more storytelling, and more targeted outreach before the wait becomes the problem.

That is exactly what happened with Nana.

Most of you knew her as Nefertiti, or Neffie. She came to us as an 8-year-old senior dog with endless energy and a smile that genuinely never quit. By any measure, she was lovable. And yet, she stayed with us for over 500 days.

She was adopted twice during that time. Both people cared about her. Neither was the right fit. One return came after she had been left on a front porch. Through all of it, Nana kept showing up, greeting every person who walked by with the same enthusiasm and the same hope.

What changed her outcome was not luck. It was visibility. Staff and volunteers kept telling her story. Her posts kept getting shared. The more people who knew who she was, the better the odds that the right person would find her. And eventually, they did. Laura and her daughter came through the door, met Nana, and knew. Today she is home, thriving, loved, and apparently a fan of formal photoshoots in pearls.

Nana's 500 days did not have to define her. But they do illustrate something important: the right match exists for every animal. Sometimes finding that match just takes more reach.

So what does length of stay data actually do?

It helps us identify which animals need a louder voice. It tells us where to focus our energy with more shares, more storytelling, more community outreach, foster placements, and rescue transfers. Animals who have been here the longest are not less adoptable. They are just less visible. And visibility is something the community can directly help with.

You do not have to adopt to make a difference for a long-term resident:

Share their post. One share can reach the exact person who has been looking for that animal.

Foster. Taking an animal out of the shelter environment, even temporarily, can reduce stress, reveal their true personality, and dramatically improve their chances of adoption.

Visit. Come meet them. Connections happen in person in ways they never can on a screen.

Talk about them. Mention them to a friend, post in a neighborhood group, bring them up with someone who is thinking about adopting.

Every animal on our Length of Stay list has a Nana story waiting to be written. They are not waiting because something is wrong with them. They are waiting because the right person has not found them yet.

Help us close that gap.

👇 See the comments for more on how our friends at the The Jacksonville Humane Society are using length of stay data to get animals home faster.

If your family's summer goals include more kittens, keep reading 😉

ACPS is excited to offer young animal lovers a summer camp program for the very first time! These day camps will allow campers to get to know the different departments here at the shelter, meet some dogs and cats, and learn about animal care and behavior, too. Their hands-on time puts them right in the middle of the action, and their classroom time consists of lessons and crafts themed around responsible pet ownership and canine and feline body language. We're SO excited!!

Students ages 8-10 can join us on Thursday, June 25 from 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M; students age 11-13 are welcome to join us on Friday, June 26 from 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Each day camp has space for a maximum of 5 students, so sign up ASAP!

For more details—and to sign your child up—visit the link below or head to the "Humane Education" section of our website. ✨ 🌞

https://bit.ly/4nKXbCj

Join Animal Care & Protective Services for a special afternoon at Kitty Hall this Wednesday, May 27 from 12 PM–2 PM at James Weldon Johnson Park (135 W Monroe St, Jacksonville, FL 32202)!

We’re bringing adoptable cats and kittens of ALL ages straight to the heart of Downtown Jacksonville for your chance to meet your newest feline constituent 🐾❤️

PLUS — don’t miss a special appearance by Mayor Donna Deegan!

Whether you’re looking for a playful kitten, a laid-back companion, or just want to stop by and show some love, we’d love to see you there.

No campaign promises… just purrs. 🐈