We are celebrating the 10th year of Silent Night, the beloved community tradition of fostering a shelter pet in your home for the holidays! This year, both Jacksonville shelters are participating and we need your help to make it a silent night in the kennels.

What makes Silent Night so special?

For shelter staff, seeing the community come together and help us find temporary places for our furry friends to go during the holidays… there’s no better feeling. We do all that we can to make the shelter a relaxed and happy place, but there is no substitute for being in a home.

Did you know that recent studies show that temporary breaks from a shelter setting help decrease a pet’s stress level? And — not only are they good for an animal’s health, but they also speed up adoptions! Based on our data from the last five years, about 35% of pets who leave JHS for Silent Night are adopted by their families while the majority who return to the shelter are adopted within ten days.

Silent Night is a wonderful activity for people, too! It’s a great way to give back as a family. Or, if you can’t be near family this year, it’s a great way to secure some companionship. There is no need to sign up in advance, just stop by either shelter in Jacksonville and select your pet!

Come by on any day beginning December 17th, 2022. Our team will help you select a pet and send you home with supplies (while available) to last through December 26th. Then, if you decide to adopt, all fees are sponsored by VCA Charities!

If you do not adopt – that is completely okay! All we ask is that you share all the wonderful details you learned about your Silent Night pet with us so we can help them find a new, loving home. Please know that your act of kindness on their journey was an important step.

Will it be a Silent Night in Jacksonville’s shelters? We sure hope so! Join our Facebook group to share your Silent Night adventures and see the fun in action!