ACPS shifts to appointment-only drop-offs, in non-emergency scenarios

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — There are new rules in effect if you want to drop off a stray or surrender a pet to Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Protective Services. You now have to have an appointment!

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The Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) is just coming off the heels of kitten season.

“Summer is always a challenging time in the world of animal welfare,” said Lindsay Layendecker, a spokesperson for the Jacksonville Humane Society.

On Tuesday, Animal Care and Protective Services shifted to appointment-only drop-offs unless it’s an emergency, citing overcrowding. It explained in a press release this will allow its staff to focus on more urgent situations.

From June until now, it has taken in 686 dogs, and 827 cats, with dog intakes jumping from June to July.

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June 2022 Intakes:

• Dogs –  236
• Cats – 399

July 2022 intakes:

• Dogs – 276
• Cats – 282

August 2022 intakes:

• Dogs – 174
• Cats –  146

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As a result, JHS is ready for more drop-offs.

“We do expect to see more requests from the community for assistance,” Layendecker explained.

JHS would like to stress that coming to a shelter should not be your first option.

If you’re thinking of surrendering a pet, check out JHS’ resources, like its free pet food pantry.

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“Sometimes all somebody needs is a bag of food to help them make it while they’re in between jobs and feeding their dog or cat at home,” Layendecker noted.

If you’re thinking of dropping off a stray, try to find its owner first.

“Please think lost and do everything in your power to try and re-unite that pet with their family,” Layendecker emphasized.

JHS’ website has resources where you can reach out to volunteers to help you.

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JHS acknowledges it has faced some unique challenges this past year.

“We are facing some new challenges in 2022,” Layendecker shared. “Staffing continues to be a challenge for us, with the great resignation going on, supply chain issues, inflation.”

But JHS has dealt with this amount of animals before.

Right now, intakes at JHS are similar to pre-COVID levels, as you can see from the months of June and July.

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June 2019 intakes:

• Cats - 765
• Dogs - 230

June 2022 intakes:

• Cats - 684
• Dogs - 227

July 2019 intakes:

• Cats - 510
• Dogs - 225

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However, JHS says people can always help with overcrowding by giving these animals a home.

For Labor Day, JHS is partnering up with ACPS to offer free adoptions all weekend at its shelter (located at 8464 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216) including that Monday, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“One thing we want to focus on is, ‘How do we get animals into homes?’” Layendecker pointed out. “If you have been thinking of adding a pet to your family, now is a wonderful time,” she added.

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