Animal Care & Protective Services Announces Black Friday Event and Extended Holiday Hours

**Key Facts** • Black Friday adoption event scheduled November 27, 2026, from noon to 8 p.m. • Extended hours every Thursday and Friday through New Year's • Location: Animal Care & Protective Services, 2020 Forest Street • ACPS also participating in Birdsgiving and Pete's Giving events November 26, 2026 • ACPS cared for 8,646 animals over the most recent 12-month period, a 43% increase from three years ago • The shelter's overall save rate reached 86.90% and dog save rate reached 88.41% • Foster program tripled from 235 animals in September 2023 to 772 animals in September 2026 • Nearly 500 pets waiting for adoption on any given day

## What Happened

Jacksonville Animal Care & Protective Services announced a Black Friday adoption event scheduled for November 27, 2026, from noon to 8 p.m. at the shelter located at 2020 Forest Street. According to the city's website, the event will kick off the holiday season with extended hours every Thursday and Friday through New Year's.

The shelter also announced participation in community adoption events on November 26, 2026. ACPS will attend the annual Birdsgiving event at Birdies 5 Points, 1044 Park Street, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Pete's Giving in Neptune Beach at 117 First Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with dogs available for adoption at both locations.

## Background and Context

Animal Care & Protective Services is Jacksonville's municipal animal services agency, operated by the City of Jacksonville. According to ACPS Chief Michael Bricker, the agency is not simply a place where people come to adopt dogs and cats. ACPS responds to more than 30,000 calls for service annually, from rescuing injured strays to investigating cruelty cases.

The shelter, known as ACPS, serves Jacksonville, the largest city by land area in the country. According to the organization, ACPS protects and cares for 6,000 to 8,000 animals each year, and nearly 500 pets are waiting for adoption on any given day. During 2023-24, ACPS took in 6,039 animals. Over the most recent 12 months, the agency took in 8,646 animals, representing 2,607 more animals and a 43% increase, according to a letter Bricker published on 904 Day (September 4, 2026).

Intake of stray and at-large animals also grew significantly. Three years ago, ACPS took in 4,043 stray or at-large animals. Over the most recent year, that number grew to 5,637, Bricker reported. Dog intake increased from 2,757 to 4,245, nearly 1,500 additional dogs in a year.

Despite the increased intake, ACPS improved lifesaving outcomes. During Bricker's first year, ACPS completed 3,203 adoptions. Over the most recent year, the agency completed 5,829 adoptions, an 82% increase. Total live outcomes grew from 4,656 to 7,340, nearly 58%. Dog adoptions increased from 1,555 to 3,101, and cat adoptions increased from 1,648 to 2,728, according to Bricker's September 2026 letter.

ACPS improved its overall save rate each year, from 84.57% to 85.81% and then 86.90%. The dog save rate increased from 82.81% to 89.39%, Bricker reported. In August 2026, Action News Jax reported that over the prior year ACPS cared for nearly 30% more animals and increased total adoptions by 44.5%, from 2,890 to 4,176. Dog adoptions rose nearly 50%, owner reunions jumped 50.2%, and dog euthanasia dropped 15.5%.

The growth of ACPS's foster program played a significant role in those outcomes. On September 1, 2023, ACPS had 235 animals in foster homes. On September 1, 2026, there were 772 animals in foster care, more than tripling the point-in-time foster population, Bricker reported. According to a June 2026 monthly report, ACPS had 540 cats and 306 dogs in foster care by month-end.

Bricker explained that foster families have essentially extended the shelter into homes all over Jacksonville. Foster animals come back to the shelter with information staff could never get from watching an animal through a kennel door, such as how a nervous dog loves children, or that a dog who barely moved in the shelter suddenly wants to follow someone from room to room. Those details help the next family understand the animal.

In August 2026, ACPS faced severe overcrowding and waived all adoption fees. The shelter was housing 433 dogs in 264 kennels, with more expected to arrive due to two large impound cases, according to a city news release and Action News Jax. Bricker urged the public to visit the shelter and foster or adopt a dog to alleviate shelter stress. He noted that being so full is hard on both the dogs and the staff caring for them.

ACPS operates in full compliance with Florida Statute 823.15, which requires animal shelters in Florida to publicly report intake and outcome data. According to the agency's website, ACPS submits detailed monthly data to national animal welfare organizations including Best Friends Animal Society, Shelter Pet Data Alliance, and Shelter Animals Count, as well as the University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program. The agency also maintains a real-time transparency dashboard that provides up-to-date information on intake, outcomes, live release rates, and other key metrics.

Jacksonville residents can use JaxPawFinder, the city's AI-powered app, to match with animals based on age, size, personality, and energy level before visiting the shelter. The app was referenced in city news releases and Action News Jax coverage.

## What You Can Do

Residents interested in adopting a pet can visit Animal Care & Protective Services at 2020 Forest Street during the Black Friday event on November 27, 2026, from noon to 8 p.m. The shelter will maintain extended hours every Thursday and Friday through New Year's. Check JaxPawFinder, the city's AI-powered adoption matching app, before visiting to see which animals match your household.

ACPS also participates in community adoption events. Residents can meet adoptable dogs at Birdsgiving at Birdies 5 Points, 1044 Park Street, on November 26, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or at Pete's Giving in Neptune Beach at 117 First Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Foster opportunities are available year-round. ACPS Chief Michael Bricker noted that even brief foster breaks from the shelter are invaluable for pets, since staff learn so much about them and they have a chance to decompress in a home with a family. Every kennel freed up by sending a pet to foster or to a loving home means ACPS can help another animal in need. Contact the shelter through the city's website or call 630-CITY (904-630-2489) to inquire about fostering.

Volunteer opportunities are also available. ACPS operates volunteer programs, social media outreach, humane education, and community events. Residents can contact ACPS through the city's website or by emailing ACPSEvents@coj.net for volunteer information.

Jacksonville also has a private nonprofit shelter, Jacksonville Humane Society, at 8464 Beach Boulevard. JHS is holding a [Veterans Day adoption event on November 11, 2026](/blog/jacksonville-humane-society-veterans-day-adoption-event), with waived adoption fees from noon to 7 p.m. Contact JHS at 904-725-8766 or visit jaxhumane.org.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Will adoption fees be waived for the Black Friday event?** The city's announcement for the Black Friday event does not indicate whether adoption fees will be waived. ACPS waived all adoption fees in August 2026 during a severe overcrowding situation. Contact ACPS through 630-CITY (904-630-2489) or the city's website to confirm adoption fee details for the Black Friday event.

**What are the extended Thursday and Friday hours?** The city's announcement states that ACPS will extend Thursday and Friday hours through New Year's starting with the Black Friday event. The announcement does not specify the extended closing time for those days. Contact ACPS at 630-CITY (904-630-2489) to confirm the extended hours before visiting.

**Can I use JaxPawFinder to see available pets before visiting?** Yes. JaxPawFinder is the city's AI-powered app that matches potential adopters with animals based on age, size, personality, and energy level. The city encouraged residents to use the app before visiting the shelter during the August 2026 overcrowding situation. Access JaxPawFinder through the city's ACPS website.

**Is ACPS a no-kill shelter?** ACPS is Jacksonville's municipal animal services agency and operates differently from a private no-kill shelter. ACPS responds to more than 30,000 calls for service annually and takes in stray, at-large, and relinquished animals as well as investigating cruelty cases. According to Chief Michael Bricker, the agency's overall save rate reached 86.90% and dog save rate reached 88.41%. Jacksonville Humane Society, the city's private nonprofit shelter, operates as a no-kill shelter and partners with ACPS to achieve a city-wide save rate of 90% or higher.

**How has ACPS improved its save rate?** ACPS increased adoptions by 82% over the past three years despite a 43% increase in animal intake. The agency's foster program tripled from 235 animals in September 2023 to 772 in September 2026. Foster families provide information about each animal's behavior and personality in a home setting, helping staff match pets with the right adopters. ACPS also operates volunteer programs, social media outreach, and community adoption events.