Animal Care and Protective Services (ACPS) wants to keep pets with their owners using a $50,000 grant from PetSmart Charities®, the leading funder of animal welfare in North America. The money will expand ACPS’ Pet Safety Net Program, a pet retention initiative that provides resources — including supplies, animal behavioral training, funds for medical care and housing solutions — to residents in an effort to decrease the number of animals surrendered to the shelter.
“Pets are often surrendered to shelters because of temporary situations or for problems that could be easily addressed,” said ACPS Chief Devron Cody. “With this grant, we expect to help nearly 1,000 pets by keeping them with the people who love them.”
“We are proud to support ACPS and the valuable resources it provides to the Jacksonville community,” said Sima Thakkar, regional relationship manager at PetSmart Charities. “Thanks to our donors nationwide, we are able to support local efforts that increase basic veterinary care opportunities and keep more pets and people together.”
The program has produced positive results throughout the past five years, contributing to a 59 percent decrease in pet surrenders. For more information about the Pet Safety Net Program and other ACPS offerings, visit
coj.net/pets or call 630-CITY (2489).