FACA selected Jacksonville’s ACPS as Outstanding Animal Control Agency of the Year because it has substantially increased its number of animals placed/adopted, resulting in one of the largest drops in euthanasia in the nation during the last three years. It has also instituted ongoing cross-training programs that allow team members to fill multiple roles in the agency and bring staff costs down.

 

Additionally, FACA recognized ACPS for developing partnerships with agencies such as the Jacksonville Humane Society, First Coast No More Homeless Pets and dozens of rescue groups to increase adoptions; for forging a strong relationship with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office for animal-related criminal investigations and prosecutions; for implementing innovative community outreach programs including Pet Meals on Wheels, which provides pet food to residents in need, and Senior Pets for Seniors, which offers free companion pets; and for developing creative programs for community cat management.

 

“It is a great honor to receive this award,” said Scott Trebatoski, acting director of the city’s Environmental & Compliance Department. “Years of hard work by the team at Animal Care & Protective Services have improved our services to this community, and now we are proud to be serving as a model for other agencies across the state and nation. It is because of the ACPS team, who give 110 percent every day to support Jacksonville’s shelter pets, that this is possible.”

 

Additionally, FACA recognized Jacksonville’s Margie Yarborough with its first-ever Volunteer of the Year award for her work in cofounding the nonprofit Friends of Jacksonville Animals. FOJA supports ACPS by improving the lives of animals cared for by the city and promoting their adoption. FOJA efforts include the Heart Care Program, which offers financial assistance to heartworm positive animals adopted from ACPS; providing medical supplies and equipment that vastly improve the level of care provided to shelter animals; donating toys and beds for shelter pets; and making ACPS adoptions as customer-friendly as possible.

The mission of FACA is to: cooperate with public agencies dealing in animal control and protection; provide assistance to local animal organizations through supporting disaster planning and post-disaster operations; and promote justice and equity in enforcement of local and state laws and regulations. Through this mission, FACA hopes to improve the methods and standards of the animal control and protection profession while informing the public of the importance of work performed by these professionals. More information on FACA can be found on its website at www.floridaanimalcontrol.org.

 

The mission of FOJA is to directly benefit Jacksonville shelter animals by focusing on fundraising to assist with medical care, enrich the shelter environment, promote adoption and reduce euthanasia. Friends of Jacksonville Animals, Inc. is an advocate for animal welfare. More information about FOJA can be found on its website at www.friendsofjacksonvilleanimals.com.