New hope for no-kill in Florida

Ever since it became clear that dogs and cats in Florida shelters are dying at one of the highest rates in the country, Best Friends Animal Society has been working with our partners to change that fact. Data shows exactly where the problem areas are — within 10 Florida counties. If those shelters can change with help from surrounding areas, thousands of animals’ lives will be saved each year. To that end, Best Friends has presented a $100,000 grant to the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) to start a mentorship and training program that will prepare people to roll out lifesaving practices at their organizations.

JHS was a natural choice to receive the funds and roll out the program, because it has consistently achieved no-kill and led Jacksonville to becoming a no-kill city. Best Friends, along with the JHS staff and board, have for the past year been working on the policies and curriculum for the mentorship program.

“Our goal is to focus on the top 10 counties in Florida that are losing the highest number of animals,” says Denise Deisler of JHS. “The Jacksonville Humane Society mentorship program will help meet the unique needs of each community, helping them to reach no-kill and create lifesaving communities.”

Best of all, the funding allows JHS to offer the mentorship to shelters and animal welfare organizations for free, which removes a financial barrier and encourages participation.

Kenny Lamberti, Best Friends regional director, says that organizations who take advantage of the mentorship program in Florida will be equipped to implement lifesaving strategies in their own communities. “This approach will result in broader reach and bring us closer to reaching no-kill by 2025.”

How we’re working toward no-kill by 2025

Photo by Debbie Brooks