Birthday Parties

Celebrate your birthday with our dogs and cats at the Jacksonville Humane Society!

JHS birthday parties are designed for children ages 5 and up. For special requests – such as adult birthday parties or other celebrations – contact us at 904.493.4588 or [email protected].

Birthday parties are currently only available on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Requests will be accepted based on day/time availability. We recommend submitting your request at least 6 weeks in advance for better availability. Please note: JHS is currently unable to schedule birthday parties in June or July due to our Summer Camp program.

If you are interested in holding a birthday party at JHS, please check out our party packages below and submit a birthday party request form.

*Our party calendar is currently booked through the end of October 2024.*

  • 2-hour rental of the JHS Education Center
  • Tour of Adoption Center and brief orientation to JHS
  • Visit with 1-2 JHS dogs (depends upon the availability of suitable animals)
  • Create an enrichment or promotional item for the dogs at JHS (your choice of 1 activity):
    • No-bake dog treats *contains peanut butter*
    • Dog snack packs *contains peanut butter*
    • Handmade dog toys
    • Decorate dog bandanas
    • Design adoption posters for dogs
  • Birthday child gets to name 1 shelter dog and have their name on the dog’s kennel

Time: 2 hours

Also includes: Setup and breakdown of tables and chairs, dog-themed table décor, tablecloths, plates, cups, napkins, and utensils (tableware will be in JHS colors, orange and green)

Cost: $250 (A non-refundable $100 deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance will be due 2 weeks prior to your party date.)

Maximum number of guests: 30 total

  • 2-hour rental of the JHS Education Center
  • Tour of Adoption Center and brief orientation to JHS
  • Your choice of a visit with JHS kittens (if available) or time in our adult cat group rooms
  • Create an enrichment or promotional item for the cats at JHS (your choice of 1 activity):
    • No-bake cat treats
    • Wand toys
    • Catnip toys
    • Design adoption posters for cats
  • Birthday child gets to name 1 shelter cat and have their name on the cat’s kennel

Time: 2 hours

Also includes: Setup and breakdown of tables and chairs, cat-themed table décor, tablecloths, plates, cups, napkins, and utensils (tableware will be in JHS colors, orange and green)

Cost: $250 (A non-refundable $100 deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance will be due 2 weeks prior to your party date.)

Maximum number of guests: 30 total

  • 3-hour rental of the JHS Education Center
  • Tour of Adoption Center and brief orientation to JHS
  • Visit with 1 JHS dog (depends upon the availability of suitable animals)
  • Your choice of a visit with JHS kittens (if available) or time in our adult cat group rooms
  • Create an enrichment or promotional item for the animals at JHS (your choice of 1 activity):
    • No-bake dog treats *contains peanut butter*
    • Dog snack packs *contains peanut butter*
    • Handmade dog toys
    • Decorate dog bandanas
    • Adoption posters for dogs
    • No-bake cat treats
    • Wand toys
    • Catnip toys
    • Adoption posters for cats
  • 1 animal-themed game (for example, Animal Musical Chairs or Animal Charades)
  • Birthday child gets to name 1 shelter animal (their choice of dog or cat) and have their name on the animal’s kennel
  • 1 paw print-themed party favor for each child in attendance
  • 1 special gift for the birthday child

Time: 3 hours

Also includes: Setup and breakdown of tables and chairs, dog- and cat-themed table décor, tablecloths, plates, cups, napkins, and utensils (tableware will be in JHS colors, orange and green)

Cost: $350 (A non-refundable $100 deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance will be due 2 weeks prior to your party date.)

Maximum number of guests: 30 total

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 $50 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.

Will there be any free time at my JHS birthday party?

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

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

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 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.

For more information, contact the Education Department:

Email: [email protected] • Phone: 904.493.4588

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