JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Humane Society and Animal Care and Protective Services will offer free pet adoptions this weekend because animal shelters are full.
Several factors, including increased intake, lack of adoptions and construction of a new facility, have all contributed to the cages being filled to capacity, JHS directors said.
VIDEO: Animals up for adoption
"It's what we call kitten season, so we have hundreds and hundreds of kittens that come in at this time," said Amy Pierce, JHS development director.
On Friday, volunteers were getting pets ready for the special adoption event this weekend in hopes of finding them a forever home.
Between both shelters, about 4,600 animals have already been adopted this year -- up from 4,200 last year.
JHS and volunteers said they want to keep the shelter a no-kill facility.
"It requires great commitment and hard works and a great partnership. And Jacksonville has all of that," Pierce said.
Even people who aren't quite ready to adopt can still help this weekend.
"We also have tons and tons of foster kittens that are available if you have a spare bedroom or bathroom and a couple of weeks. You can help these little guys become 2 pounds so they can be adopted out," Pierce said.
The shelter provides food, litter and kennels for all fostered animals.
PHOTOS: Pets available for adoption
The event, called "Bow-Wow-Meow Luau," will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at both JHS, located at 8464 Beach Blvd., and ACPS, located at 2020 Forest Street.
There will be hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens at the event. Pet adoption fees are $0 and all pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.
“JHS is appreciative of the support from Best Friends Animal Society in helping us provide free adoptions and find loving families for the homeless animals in Jacksonville,” said Denise Deisler, executive director of JHS. “Both shelters are full at this time and adoptions are needed to help save lives.”
For more information, visit jaxhumane.org or contact Lindsay Layendecker, JHS development manager, at 904-493-4560 or email her at LLayendecker@jaxhumane.org.