We are Animal Care and Protective Services

Animal Care & Protective Services (ACPS) is Jacksonville’s municipal animal shelter, serving the largest city by land area in the continental United States. We are a public safety agency, a lifesaving organization, and a community resource center all in one.

Each year, our team responds to more than 30,000 calls for service across Duval County. Our field officers handle cruelty investigations, bite cases, injured animals, and public safety concerns. Inside the shelter, our staff and volunteers care for thousands of dogs and cats through medical treatment, behavior support, enrichment, foster care, and adoption.

ACPS is committed to increasing live outcomes while maintaining strong public safety standards. We have expanded adoption programs, strengthened return-to-owner efforts through microchip and lost pet technology, grown volunteer and foster engagement, and improved our facility to better serve both animals and people. From our pet resource center to community spay and neuter initiatives, we focus on keeping pets with their families whenever possible.

We believe an animal shelter should be more than a place animals wait. It should be a place of action, accountability, and hope. At ACPS, we work every day to protect the people of Jacksonville, care for its animals, and build a more humane community for both.

Location, Hours, and Maps
ACPS facility information

Shelter Reporting
Links to monthly reports from the ACPS shelter

Contact Us
Contact ACPS directly

Events
Gives a rundown of all the events the ACPS is involved in
 

To see all of the lifesaving careers that we're hiring for please go to: ACPS CAREERS