9/26/24 @ 4:00 p.m.

​The emergency shelter at Wildlight Elementary is open for Nassau County residents, including those with special needs or need special accommodations. It is also Pet Friendly!

Nassau County Animal Services is at the site and available to help.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/24/24 @ 9:45 a.m. - In July 2024, we announced that Nassau County Animal Services and the Nassau County Extension Office partnered to offer "The Dog Program", a course designed to educate teens ages 15-18 on basic dog training and caring skills. For the last day of the program, the youth will host a 4-H Adoption Day Contest at Animal Services on November 9, 2024 from 11am-2pm. This free community event will feature tables with information from our community partners, a live contest for you in the program, and pets available for adoption. 

Questions? Call Extension Agent Spencer Hewitt at (904) 530-6343 or via email at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

8/15/24 @ 1:15 p.m. -  Kitten season takes place annually from approximately April - November and during this time, animal shelters across the nation are flooding with litters of kittens. Nassau County Animal Services is no different. There are currently 62 felines (kittens and adults) looking for homes so NCAS is hosting "Nine Lives for $9". From now through the end of the month, you can adopt a cat or kitten for $9! All cats are vaccinated, spayed/neutered and microchipped.

Nassau County Animal Services is located at 86078 License Road, Yulee. Shelter visiting hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11am-4pm; Wednesday from 1pm-6pm; and Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm. 

Unable to come to the shelter? NCAS can bring animals to you through their Adoption Express program. Browse available pets on their website and if you find an animal you're interested in, they will bring the pet to you for a meet-and-greet. 

If you have any questions, please call (904) 530-6150.

-Sabrina Robertson 
​ Public Information Officer

Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS) recently recognized several outstanding Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Officers with the first “Animal Hero Awards,” recognizing their work in responding to a recent animal cruelty case.
 
As previously reported, NCAS and NCSO responded to a call on Sunday, July 7, 2024, reporting that a lady outside Target was threatening customers and mistreating a kitten. Upon arrival, NCSO reviewed the store's video surveillance footage and determined that the individual intentionally inflicted pain upon this innocent animal. NCSO arrested the individual and she has since been charged with Aggravated Animal Cruelty. Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper stated, "We take cases of animal cruelty very seriously, and cruelty to animals will not be tolerated in our community." The kitten, later named Bullseye, was taken by NCAS to the animal shelter where he was checked by a vet and determined to be in good health. He will remain with NCAS until the case goes to court and then will be eligible for adoption. 

The following NCSO Officers were awarded the Animal Hero Awards in appreciation of their efforts in rescuing Bullseye: Deputy Charles Chandler; NCSO Deputy Mitchell Spencer; NCSO Deputy Nathan Hilliard; and NCSO Deputy James Nosan.
 
Animal Services Director Tim Maguire stated, "During the last fiscal year, NCAS responded to 6,223 calls for service. This can be anything from animals running at large to bite cases and sometimes even animal cruelty cases. The animal cruelty calls are always the hardest to respond to but we are happy to have the support of NCSO and appreciate their efforts in ensuring animal abusers face proper punishment. It's also rewarding to watch as the animal regains its health and finds a home that will give them the best life possible."

Stay tuned for updates on Bullseye, and for future awards recognizing local Animal Heroes. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
[email protected]
 
NASSAU COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES MAINTAINS NO-KILL STATUS IN 2023
 
More than 90% of the Dogs and Cats That Entered the Shelter Last Year Were Saved, earing NCAS a recognition award from Best Friends Animal Society
 
Nassau County, Florida, July 9, 2024 -  Nassau County Animal Services maintained  no-kill status in 2023, according to Best Friends Animal Society’s annual data report. Shelters receiving the no-kill recognition award saved more than 90% of the dogs and cats in their care in calendar year 2023. 
 
Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters in 2025, recognizes this incredible achievement as one that can be replicated by other shelters in around the State.
 
“This award represents extraordinary leadership, both within your organization and the broader animal welfare movement,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, “I want to acknowledge and thank the organizations around the country who work tirelessly to save lives, helping move us closer to ending the killing of cats and dogs in shelters in 2025.”
 
NCAS Director Tim Maguire stated, “We are excited that our hard work is being recognized. I am very proud of all the NCAS employees who work tirelessly to find homes for animals entering the shelter. I am also grateful for the many volunteers who work everyday to help us in our mission to promote responsible pet ownership, compassion towards animals, and safe human-animal interactions.”
 
A variety of methods are used to maintain our no-kill status including hosting numerous adoption events each month, transferring of pets to rescue groups, and returning pets to owners, when possible. To learn more about NCAS, please visit: https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/845/Animal-Services.
 
*A 90 percent save rate is the nationally recognized benchmark to be considered “no-kill,” factoring that approximately 10 percent of pets who enter shelters have medical or behavioral circumstances that warrant humane euthanasia rather than killing for lack of space.
 
** Qualifying criteria for receiving the award required the presence of a brick-and mortar shelter and availability of twelve months of 2023 data as of April 2024.
 
About Best Friends Animal Society
 
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and make the country no-kill in 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to 415,000 last year. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 4,700 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.

7/5/24 @ 3:45 p.m.

​Nassau County Animal Services and the Nassau County Extension Office have partnered to offer "The Dog Program", a course designed to educate teens ages 15-18 years old on basic dog training and caring skills in hopes of helping dogs get adopted. This program is free however 4-H membership is required to participate.  

Click here to more information and details on this new and exciting opportunity. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/5/24 @ 12:30 p.m.
​
Nassau County Animal Services has kittens needing to be placed in foster homes! Kittens immune systems are too weak for the shelter environment, so it is imperative to their health that they go into a home until they are older.

Please fill out a foster application and then call or visit the shelter to see who needs fostering.
https://nassaufl.co/NCASFosterApplication

They are located at 86078 License Road in Yulee, Florida by Target, Home Depot, and Petco. No appointment necessary.

Shelter Hours: Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday from 11am-4pm. Wednesday from 1pm-6pm. Closed Mondays and Holidays.

Questions? Call 904.530.6150.

-Sabrina Robertson 
 Public Information Officer

6/26/24 @ 4:30 p.m.

​Did you hear the news? If you adopt a pet this week from Nassau County Animal Services you will get a FREE $25 gift card from Coastal Pizza! In addition to that, NCAS has vouchers for 6 months of FREE, deliverable dog food from Pet Wants Amelia Island! All pets are vaccinated, spayed/neutered and microchipped.

Come see the amazing animals who are looking for a home at 86078 License Road. No appointment necessary. Their visiting hours are: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11am-4pm, Wednesday from 1pm-6pm. Closed to the public on Mondays and holidays.

A big thank you to Coastal Pizza and Pet Wants Amelia Island for your generous contributions. We are so grateful to serve a community that supports NCAS's mission to find loving homes for pets in their care.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

4/23/24 @ 4:15 p.m.- At the Wednesday, April 17, 2024 meeting, the Board approved Proclamation No. 2024-020 proclaiming April 2024 as National Volunteer Month and the week of April 21-27, 2024 as National Volunteer Week in Nassau County, Florida. 

National Volunteer Month is celebrated each April to recognize and celebrate the efforts of Volunteers at local, state and national levels. Volunteers provide countless hours of service to residents, staff and the visitors of Nassau County. The knowledge and skills provided by Volunteers enhance our quality of life and improve the social, environmental, and economic quality in our county.

Specifically in Nassau County, Volunteers often give their time, efforts and knowledge in our Libraries, Animal Care & Control facility, UF/IFAS County Extension, Emergency Operations Center and at County events. They are a vital component to Nassau County's future and their efforts reflect a true committment to serving others. 

During the meeting, 4-H Agent Kelsey Irvine had a surprise announcment - long-time UF/IFAS Volunteer, Ms. Wanda Simmons, is being inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame after 33 outstanding years of volunteerism for the County Extension Office! Ms. Simmons has been heavily involved in the annual Northeast Florida Fair, has taken 4-H teams to national competitions, has mentored hundreds of youth in our county, and has even mentored other volunteers, including Kelsey. "Ms. Wanda has not just made an impact here locally, but also statewide", stated Kelsey. Now Ms. Simmons' efforts will be forever recognized in the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame. 

Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers throughout the County. We are so grateful to those who devote their talent and resources to demonstrate love, compassion, and respect for humankind through service. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer