Birthday Parties

JHS birthday parties are held at the JHS Adoption & Education Center located at 8464 Beach Blvd. All parties take place on the second floor of our facility, in the Multipurpose Room. Our Multipurpose Room is a large space featuring a wall of windows and a kitchen with a sink, fridge, and microwave.

The Multipurpose Room also has AV capabilities. If you would like to play music or video during your birthday party, you will need to bring a laptop with an HDMI port.

Because we want to be sensitive to food allergies and dietary choices and restrictions, JHS does not provide food or beverages at birthday parties. Parents/guardians should plan to provide all food and beverages.

If you would like to order Papa John’s pizza through JHS, the cost is $7 for one large one-topping pizza plus delivery fee and tip. This discount is only good for large, one-topping pizzas. If you wish to order pizza, you must provide us with your order at least 72 hours in advance of your party date.

Depending on availability, you can also book Kona Ice of North Jacksonville for your party through JHS for a $100 fee (note: this reservation fee does NOT include the cost of the shaved ices purchased the day of the party).

We ask that you dispose of or remove any remaining food and beverages after the party.

JHS provides tablecloths, plates, cups, napkins, utensils, and pet-themed table décor. You are welcome to bring additional decorations, but please note that nothing can be affixed to walls or windows.

We also ask that you not bring any party favors, games, or other items that make noise as this could potentially cause our animal guests to experience fear and stress. Examples of items that should stay at home include party blowers, kazoos, and games involving popping balloons.

You can arrive and start setting up 30 minutes prior to the start of the party.

With the Barking Bash and Feline Fiesta packages, the first 90 minutes or so of the party are organized and led by a JHS Humane Educator. You can use the final 30-40 minutes for eating, opening gifts, socializing, etc.

With the Party Animal package, the first 2.5 hours or so of the party are organized and led by a JHS Humane Educator. You can use the final 30-40 minutes for eating, opening gifts, socializing, etc.

Sample Barking Bash Schedule:

2:00-2:15 – Welcome and Orientation to JHS

2:15 – 2:45 – Adoption Center Tour

2:45 – 3:00 – Meet a JHS Dog

3:00-3:30 – Activity

3:30-4:00 – Free Time

Sample Feline Fiesta Schedule:

2:00-2:15 – Welcome and Orientation to JHS

2:15 – 2:45 – Adoption Center Tour

2:45 – 3:00 – Meet JHS Kittens

3:00-3:30 – Activity

3:30-4:00 – Free Time

Sample Party Animal Schedule:

1:00-1:15 – Welcome and Orientation to JHS

1:15 – 1:45 – Adoption Center Tour

1:45 – 2:00 – Meet a JHS Dog

2:00-2:30 – Activity

2:30-3:00 – Game

3:00-3:30 – Meet JHS Kittens

3:30-4:00 – Free Time

JHS birthday parties are recommended for children ages 5 and up.

While we advise that children under the age of 5 stay home, children under the age of 5 may attend a JHS party with a parent/guardian willing to provide close supervision for the entire duration of the party. Children under the age of 5 may not be able to participate in certain activities or animal encounters.

Absolutely! As we like to say, generosity breeds joy. You and your guests are welcome to bring donations for the animals. If you’d like to take a look at our wish list before asking guests for donations, visit: jaxhumane.org/donate/items/

Guests can also purchase items and ship directly to us from our Amazon wish list: jaxhumane.org/amazon

If anyone would like to make a monetary donation in honor of the birthday child, they can do so online at jaxhumane.org/donate – we can also accept cash, checks, and credit cards onsite.

We encourage you to have this discussion with your child and all guests prior to your birthday party:

Cats and dogs at JHS are waiting for their new families. They are in an unfamiliar place. Sometimes when we go to a new place, it can be scary and overwhelming. The staff and volunteers at JHS do a great job at helping the pets feel more comfortable, and you can help with that, too. Remember that the dogs and cats at JHS might be feeling shy or scared, so you should not run up to them, put your face or hands close to their heads, or make a lot of noise. Please listen to JHS staff and volunteers when they tell you how to interact with a dog or cat you are meeting for the first time.

If a child is unable to follow instructions from JHS staff and volunteers and adhere to safety rules regarding animal interactions (such as those provided above), they will not be able to participate in party activities.