Humane Education at Animal Care and Protective Services 

Humane education is how we build a more compassionate, responsible community for people and pets. At ACPS, our Humane Education program focuses on teaching members of our community how to care for animals, understand their needs, and how to be a pet parent with empathy and respect.

Through hands-on learning, age-appropriate programs, and community partnerships, we help the next generation become responsible pet owners and animal advocates.

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PAWS Program

PAWS (Professional Animal Workers ) is a workforce development partnership between the City of Jacksonville, The Arc Jacksonville, and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). Launched at Animal Care and Protective Services in January 2025, this 12-week certificate program is designed specifically for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences (IDD) who are seeking meaningful employment in the animal care field.

PAWS combines classroom instruction with real-world, hands-on experience. Participants complete FSCJ coursework at The Arc Jacksonville’s Career Campus, where they study:

• Animal safety and handling

• Basic animal behavior

• Nutrition and daily care

• Emergency response and first aid

• Communication, teamwork, and workplace professionalism

Students then apply those skills through a structured internship at ACPS, working alongside shelter staff in a municipal animal care environment. This practical experience prepares graduates for careers in kennels, animal daycare centers, veterinary settings, and other pet-related businesses.

The PAWS program directly addresses workforce gaps while creating real career pathways for a population that has historically faced significant barriers to employment. It is not just an education program. It is a bridge to opportunity, independence, and long-term career growth in animal welfare.

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Mayor Deegan's River City Readers Program

Our location of the River City Readers Program  pairs children with shelter animals for reading time.

This program:

• Helps kids build reading confidence

• Provides calm, positive interaction for shelter animals

• Encourages compassion and patience

• Creates a positive experience for both children and pets

It’s a simple but powerful way to support literacy while enriching the lives of animals in our care.

To find our more about this amazing program: CLICK HERE
 

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School Tours

ACPS offers guided school tours for elementary, middle, and high school students across Jacksonville. These structured visits give students a behind-the-scenes look at how a municipal animal shelter operates and how we serve both pets and people in our community.

During a school tour, students:

• Learn how animals enter the shelter and what happens during intake

• See how veterinary, behavior, and adoption teams work together

• Understand the importance of microchipping, licensing, and spay/neuter

• Discuss responsible pet ownership and public safety

• Explore career paths in animal welfare and veterinary medicine

Tours are age-appropriate, interactive, and aligned with our mission to build empathy, accountability, and community awareness. School tours help students see that animal care is not just about pets. It is about responsibility, public service, and community impact.

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Summer Camp (Coming Soon)

ACPS is developing a Humane Education Summer Camp for children interested in learning more about animals and animal welfare.

Planned activities include:

• Animal care basics

• Shelter operations education

• Humane treatment and safety lessons

• Interactive, hands-on learning experiences

More details and registration information coming soon.

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ACPS Coloring Book

Our ACPS coloring book introduces young children to animal care through simple stories and illustrations.

The coloring book:

• Features age-appropriate lessons about caring for dogs and cats

• Encourages empathy and kindness toward animals

• Is available in English and Spanish

• Is used at events, school visits, and outreach programs

It’s a fun, accessible way to start conversations about responsible pet ownership at an early age.

Click to download: Bo_the_Mixed_Breed_Coloring_Book_Print_Ready_v2

Get Involved

Humane education is a core part of our mission to support both people and pets in our community. Whether through PAWS, school visits, reading programs, our coloring book, or future summer camps, ACPS is committed to teaching compassion that lasts a lifetime.

For questions, program details, or partnership opportunities, please contact our Humane Education Coordinator at mpeacock@coj.net.