Animal House: Michael Bricker: Animal Care & Protective Services’ New Top Dog
Florida newcomer Michael “Mike” Bricker’s optimism and positivity was as welcome as his arrival in September 2023 when he took over as the new chief at Duval County Animal Care & Protective Services (ACPS). When Bricker first arrived, he noted the shelter’s lobby donation bins were often empty. While they are now overflowing with much-needed […]
Animal House: FEATHER: A Second-Chance Champion
Feather is a regal, brindle-colored racing greyhound. Alone in the shelter at approximately one year old, she no history except a tattooed ear. She was assumed to have likely failed on the racetrack like countless other greyhounds and given away, but unlike the other dogs who often met worse fates, this “failed” dog became an […]
Animal House: Have Pets, Will Travel
If the family’s recent travels with a pet included unexpected difficulties, planning – plus travel-friendly pet gear – can make future trips more carefree. Planning is essential to streamline public transportation or lodging for pets. Packing functional gear specifically designed for pets, including smooth-rolling carriers, lightweight backpacks or collapsible strollers, can make activities easier and […]
Animal House: Asha, a Manatee Against the Odds
In March 2021, a lone West Indian Manatee calf was found swimming along in Volusia County’s Halifax River amid waters far too cold for even healthy, mature manatees. Rescuers dubbed the year-old calf Asha and pulled her from the frigid waters on March 5. With open wounds, underweight and cold-stressed, Asha was in critical condition. […]
Animal House: Shelter from the Storm
On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 1-2, Jacksonville supported a Hurricane Idalia Pet Flight Mission and Vehicle Transport Caravan that moved animals out of shelters in Florida to make room for pets affected by the storm. The flight was organized after Idalia, a Category 3 hurricane, made landfall Aug. 30 at Keaton Beach, Florida, in the […]
Animal House: Saving Sammy
The first time I saved Sammy was in June 2017. She came to me as a foster. Sammy had made news among rescuers in Jacksonville that summer when she was frantically dashing back and forth across Beach Boulevard, terrified during thunderstorms. She had been surviving in thick woods next to Sam’s Club. Mistakenly thought to […]
Animal House: Something to Bark About
It was raining cats and dogs inside the Avenues Mall lower level at the 2023 Petco Love Mega Pet Adoption Event on June 23-25. The event finally returned to Northeast Florida, having been on hold since October 2019 due to COVID-19 and economic factors. Petco stores at Marsh Landing Parkway and Kernan Village participated, while […]
Animal House: First Duval Public School Police K9 Maverick
K9 Maverick, the first Duval County School Police (DCSP) K9 and Northeast Florida’s first Firearms Detection K9, was sworn in by DCSP Chief Greg Burton on Wednesday, May 31, at Cline Auditorium. The new Duval County School Police Honor Guard presented the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. The two-year-old Belgian Malinois received his DCSP […]
