by Jenn Heller
Did you know that approximately 6.5 million animals enter U.S. animal shelters annually? As a passionate pet lover, that statistic truly breaks my heart.
In addition to the animals in shelters, there are also thousands upon thousands of pets being fostered at any given time while awaiting their forever homes. Fostering plays a crucial role in the adoption process, with an estimated 3.2 million shelter animals finding new homes each year thanks to the dedication of foster families.
In the Jacksonville area, there are several animal rescue organizations that I admire and support on a regular basis. One such organization is Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) where we adopted our sweet boy Joker, formerly known as Stroganoff, in 2020.
About ACPS (Animal Care And Protective Services)
Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) is located at 2020 Forest St, Jacksonville, FL 32204. According to their website, ACPS takes in between 5,000 to 8,000 animals annually with the goal of finding loving homes for each one. On any given day, there are about 500 animals available for adoption. The organization not only focuses on adoption but also on providing love and care for the animals through fostering opportunities. Fostering not only helps get animals out of the shelter and into nurturing homes but it helps them receive focused one-on-one care, reduce anxiety, and develop better routines.
The Heart of ACPS: Volunteers
ACPS is supported by a team of incredibly dedicated professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly to answer questions, care for the animals, support injured pets, and much more. Their ultimate goal? To find loving forever homes for all the animals. It's not easy and it truly takes a village, so ACPS relies on the kindness of approximately 400 volunteers who graciously give over 16,000 hours of service each year. These volunteers make a significant difference in the lives of shelter animals. Interested in volunteering? According to their website, ACPS offers the following volunteer opportunities:
- Playgroup assistants
- Dog walkers
- Kennel helpers
- Greeters and reception assistants
- Adoption counselors
- Medical clinic and foster assistants
- Off-site event volunteers
- Photographers
- Pet bio writers
Dogs Around Duval: A Day of Joy for Shelter Dogs
One of the most heartwarming programs offered by ACPS is Dogs Around Duval (known nationally as Dogs Day Out). The Dogs Around Duval program allows dogs to leave the shelter for a day trip, providing them with much-needed stress relief and anxiety reduction. Energetic dogs can burn off some energy, and the exposure they get when out around town while using an ADOPT ME leash and bandana increases their chances of being seen by their new family!
Why Participate in Dogs Around Duval?
Why not? It's a wonderful excuse to explore Jacksonville while serving a much-needed cause. You can take a shelter dog to the beach, on a hike, or just play fetch in a park. Don't forget to grab a puppuccino pup-cup at Starbucks too! Participating in Dogs Around Duval is a wonderful way to make a huge difference in the life of a shelter animal. You’ll be glad you did.
How to Sign Up for Dogs Around Duval
It's easy to join the ACPS Dogs Around Duval crew. Simply visit the ACPS website to learn more about the program and sign up. In addition, ACPS also has a Facebook group run by volunteers with over 1,400 members. This group helped to provide me with a lot of great details on the program and prepared me to take a dog out for the day.
Meet Melon, My Dogs Around Duval Companion
I allowed the staff at ACPS to select a dog for me because honestly, I didn’t think I could have chosen just one — I inevitably wanted to take them ALL out! During my most recent visit to ACPS, I had the pleasure of meeting Melon, a 7-year-old, 56-pound female dog. Melon is a mixed breed gal known for being a rock star on the playground. She knew her "sit" and "stay" commands and appeared to be housetrained. Though she was a bit skittish at first, she quickly warmed up when she realized she was going for a car ride. She hopped right in and did great in the car, looking out the window and enjoying the ride. Melon and I spent the afternoon at Riverside’s Memorial Park, took a long walk and played in the grassy area. Afterward, we headed across the street to Starbucks. Melon had a puppuccino pup-cup that she LOVED so much and had whipped cream all over her face! While I was looking forward to another day out with her, I was so happy to see that Melon was adopted one week later!
Final Thoughts
The love and care provided by shelters like ACPS, along with the dedication of volunteers and foster families, are essential in the mission to find forever homes for all shelter animals. By supporting organizations like ACPS, participating in fostering programs, or simply spreading the word, you can make a significant impact in the lives of these wonderful pets to find the loving home they deserve.
PS -- You didn't think I would end this article without showing off Joker, did you? :) He's 100% good boy and loves to visit his human and pet friends at ACPS often.
About the Author
Jenn Heller is the Operations Manager for The Volen Group, a top real estate team in Ponte Vedra Beach. Jenn has over 20 years of real estate experience in Ponte Vedra Beach and is a resident of Atlantic Beach.
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