"Animal Care Protective Services has empowered volunteers with classes and education to make every volunteer more successful and has open and promoted Dog Day Out Program to involve the community on walking a dog for a day, Has implemented new strategies to reduce stress fear and anxiety for pets at shelter while waiting for their furever home. Staff and leaders at shelter are always friendly and available for problems or questions may arise"
— vanessa s.
Volunteer / foster
"The staff and volunteers at AC&PS are beyond amazing. Every day they are working to support the animals at the shelter and educate the community so fewer animals end up in the shelter in the future. You can see the passion and commitment towards animal welfare throughout the shelter from focused enrichment, enhancement of interaction areas and innovative and creative approaches to showcase the animals in their best light!"
— julie s.
Volunteer / foster
"The staff and volunteers work really hard to make an impact on all of the dogs in our shelter despite our huge numbers of 300+ dogs."
— heather h.
Volunteer / foster
"Jacksonville ACPS is working to get more dogs into homes, and has really turned things around in the last 18 months. From the things you see, like fresh paint and new furniture, to things you don’t, like more volunteers working behind the scenes, they are improving outcomes for the dogs. There are more programs out in the community and people are responding to the presence. So many people want to help the animals at ACPS and programming, and momentum is up, which means animals are going out with families. The best is yet to come!"
— lynda g.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"ACPS is wonderful! Everyone at this shelter is so devoted to these animals. They truly love and care for every single one of them. They have a fantastic volunteer support team also. It never ceases to amaze me their commitment every day- day in and day out. They go above and beyond for every single animal in their care. They are such a fantastic group of people. I am honored to be able to assist them in any way that I can."
— ellen n.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"I have been fostering for Jax ACPS since 2018, a few months after my beautiful girl, Atenea, passed away. I was devastated and couldn't imagine my life without her. I remember going to the shelter one time and just breaking down and crying at all the animals that I knew could be so amazing if someone would just give them a chance outside the kennels - just like my girl over 13 years before. That was the beginning of my fostering journey and it started with an incredible boy that I named Ghost. He was already 5 or 6 and had lived a traumatic life. His eyes were so sad and his body was bruised and broken and riddled with heartworms. I took him home and promised that I would do my best to help him trust again and find his forever family. Three months later I signed his adoption paperwork. We had a long journey ahead of us, but he was healing my heart as I was healing his. Over the next few years, we fostered many other dogs together and helped them find their perfect homes. Unfortunately, our time was cut short when a hidden, cancerous tumor ruptured in his spleen. We went from a fun road trip with my other foster/hospice dog, Ol' Boo, to the ER, to saying goodbye. I will never stop missing him but he reminded me to keep loving, to keep helping, to keep making a difference and the amazing staff at ACPS have allowed me to continue to do that through fostering dogs, kittens, and even a few puppies. They do their best to take care of hundreds of animals and everyone I've interacted with has held a smile on their face - even as they've been overcrowded and overworked. My current foster has experienced many medical issues and they're always quick to see him and get him the care he needs - even an exploratory surgery to find out what had been making him so sick (which turned out to be a giant chunk of rubber stuck in his stomach from before he was found as a stray). It must feel like a losing fight at times, with more animals coming in then they can find homes for, but they genuinely care and do their best to advocate for each one of these beautiful souls."
— heather c.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
Discover the Jack Russell Terrier, a breed celebrated for its intelligent and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fox hunting and vermin control starting in the 19th century.
Discover the Dalmatian, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, trainable, and loyal nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Dalmatians have their origins in Croatia, where they were initially bred for coaching (running along carriages), guarding, and hunting starting in the 16th century.
Discover the Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and playful nature. Recognized as a large dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs have their origins in Switzerland, where they were initially bred for guarding livestock and droving work starting in the 1st century.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Albuquerque? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Duke City.
44.5 percent of all American households share life with a canine companion. Pet professionals like dog trainers, veterinarians, and veterinary behaviorists are more important than ever as our modern society becomes increasingly difficult for four-legged friends to navigate—dog reactivity, anxiety, and general stress from lack of proper enrichment are on the rise in domestic dogs.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.