Two dozen area foster children became permanent members of their new families on Friday -- just in time for Mother’s Day.

Jacksonville’s annual “Silent Night” program that aims to empty animal shelters for the holidays will soon be in full swing.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Sunday, Jan. 24, is National Change a Pet’s Life Day, and the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) offered a unique adoption opportunity for community members. On Sunday, Jan. 24, JHS offered free adoptions in exchange for a bag of pet food for the JHS pet food bank. The goal of this event was to assist both pets and people in need by finding new homes for the animals at JHS while providing pet food to community pet owners. “This event is a wonderful way to give back to both pets and people in need,” Denise Deisler, CEO of JHS, said ahead of the event. JHS prefers Purina brand pet food, but any brand is OK.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Get ready to fall in love with a furry friend this Leap Day! The Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) and Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) are hosting an adoption event to celebrate Leap Day on Saturday, Feb. 29 and Sunday, March 1. The event will be held at Petsmart’s Regency location between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Both shelters will be offering free adoptions on site as well and will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.“A leap year gives us one extra day to save more lives,” Denise Deisler, JHS CEO, said. “We are very thankful to PetSmart Charities for allowing us to host this event and for all their life-saving support.”All animals will be spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccines.