I have proudly donated to the Jacksonville Humane Society for many years. They have excellent ratings on GuideStar and Charity Navigator. I trust that my donation is truly helping animals in need and serves families in my community. This is a mission that is very close to my heart.
My partner and I dropped a beloved stray kitten we had been attending to the care of, having become acclimated to us, and generally putting our love into. We had noticed that he had a puncture wound under his neck and became gravely concerned about his well being. We brought him in and bathed him, cared for the wound but ultimately decided it would be best that we take him in somewhere to be seen in a last minute emergency. I was worried the wound would become septic.
Upon arriving at JHS we were greeted by a courteous (and seemingly caring) receptionist who helped us with providing the necessary information. We explained why we were bringing him in. We expressed that we had every intention to adopt him into our home after he was cared for. They insured us that we will be the ones contacted when the procedure was complete, and when he was available to be picked up. They took it upon themselves to neuter, vax, and deworm him.
Few days went by and after not hearing anything for sometime (we tried calling several times and were never able to get through) we decided it would be best to go up to the facility to be given an update.
Much to our distress, our beloved Chester we'd just spent the last 5 months acclimating him to us, was adopted out. The entirely opposite handling of what was assured to us. We were informed initially that he would be technically considered a trap and release, instead of him being released to the street we came upon him, he was to be given to us.
The staff was incredibly insensitive, insulting by refusing to refer to Chester by the name we gave him, the technician which brought us into a exam room to speak to us was cold, callous, and generally emotionless as they informed us "to make things easier to understand for this purpose I'll refer to him by the name given to him here. Rivault"
We were lied to, taken advantage of, mislead and taken advantage of entirely.
Whether this error in documenting happened as a result of the receptionist who lied to us and said that this whole process would be possible and painless, or the doctor of which the receptionist blamed having said the doctor made the call to place our kitten up for adoption, the matter remains the same.
Essentially a kitten napping.
After informing the appropriate people of the experience we had, we were assured that the family who adopted him would be contacted and made aware specifically that a mistake was made. A family is grieving. Instead what we got was a call to inform them that they had another family who was very interested in adopting him. (Completely removing themselves from admitting any guilt or blame.)
This whole experience could have and should have been avoided.
Due to the extreme negligence of JHS and their troublesome technician we are a grieving family missing what had become a piece of our unit.
Shame on JHS, and I sincerely hope the negligent staff responsible is determined and appropriately reprimanded if not fired.
Anyone who is having the privilege to be working in close proximity to animals needs to have a far better manner and demeanor when having to deal with heartbroken families.
Disgusting, despicable and abhorrent.
I'd never consider supporting this business again.
It was amazing as always! The lady that helped me pre adopt Goose was so kind and remembered 2 years ago when I adopted Happy. Great customer service and that is why I have only adopted from JHS. I adopted Rocco there when he was 2 years old and would of been 17 this October but passed 3 months ago. Keep up the amazing work you guys are doing!
My fiancé and I went to the humane society for a loving dog. When we got there we immediately feel in love with Velcro. We changed her name too. Valkyrie. She is the sweetest and most loving dog!!! Thank you so much!
I came in initially to find a new cat to take home with me, I found the one I wanted. However it took them 3 weeks to prepare the kitten for me. I made 3 separate trips here, not including the day I found my kitten, and each time I was mislead to believe that I was getting my kitten. They did not inform me before hand that I could not get my cat that day. So I drove 45 minutes there to be denied and to wait another week. When I tried to call and ask them if my cat was ready, they were unreachable. I placed at 10 different calls throughout the day and nobody was able to help. I finally got my cat after waiting an extra month to get him. Very dissatisfied with their communication skills and resources. However I am in love with my new kitten and they did give me coupons for vet visits and care.
We got two kittens at the 'free' event Aug1. One was congested, took to vet, got meds, he got better. Four days later the other got sick, took to vet, got meds, got worse. Regular vet closed due to covid, took to another - - - turned away because it is appointment only. Took to third vet where he got meds, got blood taken and was hydrated. He got worse. We got charged an 'emergency' fee, ended up over $250.00 and he died 13 days after we got him. Thought the Humane Society only dealt in healthy animals.
How is a person to know when a baby will get sick? Can I make an appt for next week? the baby died.
JHS has been truly inspiring in educating my son in animal care and what it means to find their animals a forever home. He’s attended their day and summer camps the last few years where he reads to the animals, helps clean up after them, learns their natural habits. It left such an impact on him that the last 2 birthdays he helped raise either funds or physical donations to support them in lieu of birthday presents. He shares what he’s learned with friends and family. We eventually became a “Storm Trooper” where you foster an animal during one of the hurricanes and ended up finding a new member of the family. A truly remarkable organization and staple of the community.
This is the second summer our boys attended their summer camp and it is by far the HIGHTLIGHT of their summer! Not only do they provide a safe and fun environment, the educational aspect is outstanding! The staff is amazing and they even remembered our boys from the week they spent with them the year before. It is truly a gem here in Jacksonville. The boys favorite part of the week was recording a commercial for pet adoption. I recommend this nonprofit to ALL our family and friends!
Whether you are adopting, volunteering, or donating, JHS is a wonderful organization. It starts with the employees. They all love what they do, they have the best interest of the animals and JHS at heart, and they are so appreciative of the volunteers. The building is beautiful (big, tall ceilings, plenty of room for the animals) and clean. The cat area is amazing. The cats have rooms to roam in and one even has a tree. We adopted our Roxy during their annual "Silent Night" event in 12/2017. I have volunteered there since 2016 and I see first hand what an impact JHS and their employees make to the community. There are so many programs that JHS offers to benefit the animals, to their owners, and the community. Besides adoptions, they provide affordable vet care, have a Pet Pantry (animal food bank), kids camps, and so much more. This is truly a gem in Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Humane Society fight tirelessly every single day to save lives. They adopt thousands of dogs and cats each year, many of whom would have died due to a lack of shelter space. You see, they pull from a local city shelter, which frequently gets overrun with dogs and cats due to either strays or owner surrenders. When looking to adopt your next pet in Northeast, FL - look to JHS.