Jacksonville Humane Society Waives Adoption Fees for Veterans Day

**Key Facts** • Veterans Day adoption event scheduled November 11, 2026, from noon to 7 p.m. • All adoption fees waived for the holiday • Location: Jacksonville Humane Society, 8464 Beach Boulevard • JHS operates as a no-kill shelter with a 92% save rate in 2025 • The shelter completed 8,805 adoptions in 2025, up from 7,241 in 2024 • JHS operates a Troops & Tails program specifically for veterans and military members • Additional fees may apply at adoption

## What Happened

Jacksonville Humane Society announced a Veterans Day adoption event scheduled for November 11, 2026, with waived adoption fees for the day. According to the Jacksonville Humane Society website, the event will run from noon to 7 p.m. at the shelter's location at 8464 Beach Boulevard. The organization invited the public to stop by and meet adoptable pets during the Veterans Day event. Jacksonville Humane Society noted that additional fees may apply.

The shelter posted available pets on its adoption page at jaxhumane.org/adopt. Jacksonville Humane Society operates two facilities at the Beach Boulevard location: an Adoption Center and a Pet Help Center for animal admissions. The Adoption Center can be reached at 904-725-8766, while the Pet Help Center contact is 904-493-4584.

The shelter's regular adoption hours are noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, according to the organization's website. The Veterans Day event extends access into the evening on the Monday holiday.

## Background and Context

Jacksonville Humane Society serves the Jacksonville area as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter. According to the organization's 2024 Annual Report, JHS does not euthanize healthy or treatable companion animals in its care. The shelter works in partnership with the city's municipal animal control division, Animal Care and Protective Services, to strive toward a city-wide save rate of 90% or higher.

In 2024, JHS sheltered 8,561 animals, including 2,351 dogs, 428 puppies, 1,050 cats, and 3,742 kittens, according to its annual report. The organization completed 7,241 adoptions that year. According to a combined JHS and ACPS statistics report comparing calendar year-to-date December 2024 and 2025, JHS adoptions increased 21.60%, from 7,241 to 8,805.

JHS reported a 91% save rate in 2024 and 92% in 2025 per that combined report. The shelter's 2024 foster program placed 3,462 animals, including 765 dogs, 79 puppies, 114 cats, and 2,504 kittens. According to the annual report, JHS had 1,327 dog foster volunteers and 1,161 cat foster volunteers in 2024.

Jacksonville Humane Society maintains a specialized volunteer program called Troops & Tails designed for veterans and members of the military. According to the 2024 Annual Report, the program had 63 total volunteers, including 38 new participants, who contributed 2,636 volunteer hours. A PBS documentary on JHS noted the shelter has upwards of 300 to 400 volunteers who volunteer onsite regularly, plus a couple hundred more foster parents.

The shelter's 2024 volunteer program recorded 24,851 total volunteer hours from approximately 400 volunteers, according to the annual report. JHS also serves the community through other programs, including Pawsitive Outreach, which served 901 children in 2024, and a Pet Help Center that assisted 4,999 families in partnership with Lutheran Social Services.

## What You Can Do

Residents interested in adopting a pet can visit Jacksonville Humane Society at 8464 Beach Boulevard during the Veterans Day event on November 11, 2026, from noon to 7 p.m. Those who cannot attend the event can visit during regular hours: noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Browse available pets at jaxhumane.org/adopt before visiting.

Jacksonville Humane Society offers foster opportunities for dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. Foster parents receive all necessary supplies and veterinary care from JHS. The shelter also offers a Shelter Staycation program for adult dogs, where volunteers host a dog for 5 to 7 days to give the animal a break from the shelter. Foster volunteers can complete a Foster Profile at jaxhumane.org/foster.

Veterans and military members interested in volunteering can join the Troops & Tails program. General volunteer opportunities are also available. Volunteers contributed more than 24,000 hours to JHS in 2024. Those interested in volunteering can visit jaxhumane.org/volunteer.

Residents can support JHS through donations at jaxhumane.org/donate. The organization also operates a mobile veterinary clinic and spay/neuter services for the community. Families needing pet resources can contact the Pet Help Center at 904-493-4584.

Jacksonville also operates a municipal shelter, Animal Care and Protective Services, at 2020 Forest Street. ACPS will hold a [Black Friday adoption event November 27, 2026](/blog/jacksonville-animal-care-black-friday-extended-holiday-hours), with extended hours through the holiday season. More information is available through the city's website or by calling 630-CITY (904-630-2489).

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Are adoption fees completely waived on Veterans Day?** According to the Jacksonville Humane Society website, adoption fees are waived for the Veterans Day event on November 11, 2026. The organization notes that additional fees may apply. Contact the Adoption Center at 904-725-8766 for details on any additional costs before visiting.

**What animals are available for adoption?** Jacksonville Humane Society typically has dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens available for adoption. In 2024, the shelter housed 2,351 adult dogs, 428 puppies, 1,050 adult cats, and 3,742 kittens, according to its annual report. Visit jaxhumane.org/adopt to view currently available pets before your visit.

**Do I need an appointment to adopt on Veterans Day?** The Jacksonville Humane Society website for the Veterans Day event does not indicate whether an appointment is required. Contact the Adoption Center at 904-725-8766 to confirm whether walk-ins are welcome or if an appointment is recommended during the event.

**Is the Veterans Day event only for veterans?** No. The Jacksonville Humane Society Veterans Day adoption event is open to the public. Anyone interested in adopting a pet can visit the shelter during the event hours of noon to 7 p.m. on November 11, 2026.

**Can I foster instead of adopting?** Yes. Jacksonville Humane Society maintains an active foster program year-round. In 2024, JHS placed 3,462 animals with foster volunteers. The shelter provides all necessary supplies and veterinary care. Complete a Foster Profile at jaxhumane.org/foster to get started.