JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The website for Jacksonville Animal Care & Protective Services has undergone a significant transformation, and it’s more than just a design update.

The revamped site on the City of Jacksonville’s platform now includes a dedicated section where users can view dogs and cats that have been reported as found or missing in the area, complete with a map to pinpoint their exact locations.

“Lost pets typically don’t venture far from home, often staying within a few blocks, so narrowing down the search area is vital for quick reunions,” the shelter highlighted in a social media announcement.

The updated page also lists all animals under the shelter’s care that were brought in as strays, along with the dates they were found, providing a streamlined method for owners to locate their missing pets.

This initiative utilizes a free tool called Petco Love Lost, touted as the nation’s largest free central database for lost and found pets.

ACPS encourages families to register their pets in the database along with updated microchip information, whether they’re missing now or not. 

The website update comes after a successful push by the shelter to lower its stray hold period. Instead of holding found pets for six days before allowing adoptions, the hold period is now five days.

ACPS initially advocated for a three-day stray hold period, which received pushback from animal advocates who feared it would lower reunification rates.

After several public community meetings, Jacksonville City Council members acknowledged other potential shortcomings with the website and shelter communications that could make it harder to reunite pets and owners.

In one example, Council Member Raul Arias pointed out that ACPS does not have a direct phone number, meaning people must call the generic city number to speak with shelter staff, potentially leading to calls and questions going unanswered. Arias said that in the future, he wants to look into budgeting for dedicated staff to handle ACPS calls.