The Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) is a local, independent, 501c3 non-profit in Jacksonville, Florida. We care for nearly 9,000 dogs and cats each year and offer a wide range of community programs including pet adoption, support for pet owners, resources for lost and found animals, low-cost veterinary care, public training classes, youth programs, and more.
JHS receives no government funding, and our work is only made possible by the support of friends like you. Please consider a gift to provide compassionate care to pets and the people who love them.
JHS Mission
JHS History
JHS was founded in 1885 to serve Jacksonville and outlying areas in an animal control capacity. In 2005, the Jacksonville Humane Society became a no-kill organization and in 2014, thanks to our collaborative partnership with Animal Care & Protective Services and First Coast No More Homeless Pets, the city of Jacksonville was named a no-kill city thanks to sustaining a combined 90% live release rate for both animal sheltering organizations. Our city has sustained and grown that percentage since, making Jacksonville one of the largest cities in the U.S. to accomplish this lifesaving feat.
JHS first moved onto our Beach Boulevard property in 1920, and we have been operating in this location ever since. The land was originally donated to JHS as a gift from the Bowden family. Ms. Flora Genth Bowden, a local animal advocate, was one of the first founders and the Humane Society’s first President.
A fire in 2007 tragically destroyed most of the original property, but with the support of our community, donors and friends, we were able to open the doors to our new Adoption, Education & Pet Help Center in 2017.
Upon moving into our new building in 2017, JHS launched a number of community-focused programs including humane education for children, Paws & Stripes volunteer and workforce development for veterans, and our on-the-road mobile veterinary clinic for under-resourced communities.
Thanks to a grant from Petco Love, JHS is also the founder of Florida Leaders in Lifesaving, a program that provides tailored training and mentorships to animal welfare organizations throughout Florida in an effort to increase lifesaving for dogs and cats in shelters.
