Animal Care and Protective Services in Jacksonville Florida

Hailey

That’s my doggy, Hailey on the left. Attached to her head is my son’s hand. He was trying to make it look like the couch had a hand scratching her head. It kinda worked. 🙂

We got Hailey from the shelter in Jacksonville about 8 years ago. She is the sweetest dog ever. For the longest time, I was not a dog person and never wanted a dog. I did not have good experiences as a kid with dogs and was almost attacked by one. I always preferred cats.

Then kids came along and eventually they wanted a dog. How dare they! So, I started to warm up to the idea, but I didn’t want a dog that barked alot. I love the peace and quiet. The search began. Thankfully, it wasn’t a long search. I went online to start my search and decided it was best to visit the shelters instead.

I ended up at the shelter on the westside of Jacksonville. I didn’t know it at first, but my baby girl, was inside waiting for me. I signed in and made my way down the room, lined with dog cages on each side. Oh the barking. I believe I mentioned I did not want a dog who barked alot. About half way down to the left, I saw a beautiful little dog just sitting there. Not barking. At all.

I told one of the workers that I wanted to hang out with this quiet one. Found out she was a girl, german shepherd mix, was in there with her brothers. She was only about 6 months old.

So we went to an area that some benches where you can hang out at. So for awhile, I hung out with her. She was so timid. He eyes were sweet and the way she looked at me, I could tell she was trying to figure out if I was going to hurt her not. I decided this was the dog for us. Or actually truth be told, God had already decided she was a Graham Cracker.

She was so timid, one of the employees had to carry her to my car. The kids loved her, she was scared to death of my husband Hailey and friend Andrew, but eventually once she realized she could trust him, and he was not going to hurt her, she became his buddy. It sure makes you wonder what these poor animals have been through, at the hands of cruel humans.

Fast forward it 8 years and Hailey is thriving and our family is complete with her. She’s still not a barker and she hates to take baths. My morning routine is to take a walk with her around our neighborhood.

Now if you’re wanting to add a four legged friend to your family, please check out the shelters! The shelter Hailey was at, is not a no kill shelter, and it is terrible to think of an animal being euthanized just because they were in the shelter too long.

I know there are some people out there who want to have pure breeds as pets. I’m not going to say don’t buy a pure breed, but what I will say, is go to the shelters first and see if you find one there. Sometimes pure breeds end up there.

So here are some shelter locations: