Working with the Kitten Foster Army is a joy! The staff makes it easy to foster fail, or just enjoy…read morea few weeks with a sweet new kitten before they reach their forever homes. Scheduling is generally easy, though weekend clinics can get busy. We appreciate the service the Humane Society provides to our community.

If I could give zero stars, I would. If you're considering fostering through Jax Humane Society, be…read moreprepared for the possibility of receiving sick kittens that may not have received adequate care. We originally fostered two kittens and brought them in for adoption. While we were there, we were asked to foster two additional kittens, Ladybug and Grasshopper. Ladybug arrived with what appeared to be an untreated eye infection and was covered in fleas. We later learned neither kitten had been given flea treatment. Grasshopper also had fleas but otherwise seemed healthy. After about a week, Ladybug had started gaining strength and eating on her own. When we brought her in, we had finally received an email from Jax Humane Society, but by the time we got there, she had already passed away. Two days later, Grasshopper suddenly became lethargic, stopped eating and meowing, developed severe diarrhea, and could barely move. We took him to Jax Humane Society and expressed concern that he may have contracted the same illness as his sister, but our concerns were dismissed as dehydration. Within hours of bringing him home, his condition rapidly worsened, and he passed away after the clinic had already closed. This experience was heartbreaking. In our case, we felt our concerns were not taken seriously, and there was no emergency phone number to reach anyone after hours--only email communication. Based on our experience, I cannot recommend fostering or adopting through Jax Humane Society. No family should have to go through the trauma that we experienced.

3/25/26. I want to help where I can and this local foodbank (not city run or any corporate…read moreaffiliation). We are open M, W, F from 9-11:30. Clients need to have proper ID-social security cards, zip code for our area and such. People volunteering are just trying to help in some way to those in need.

I so appreciate the service they provide to the community. I…read moreappreciate the merchants that donate the goods to help those of us that really need it. Some of what I get I cannot eat due to dietary restrictions, but I donate them to neighbors that appreciate and can use them.

I went there for a visit on a night time feeding. It was a neat concept. They have to feed the…read moreanimals anyways, so why not invite people to educate and raise money for the sanctuary. The animals seem well taken care of and happy. The have mostly tigers but also a lion and some smaller cats. They even have two foxes and two bears! This is different than a zoo, because they have these animals as a way to save them. Some of them were from private owners and some were form closed zoos. The workers and volunteers were all happy as well.

You've never been to a place like this before... and at first, I wasn't even sure what to expect…read more The sign outside is nicely done, but when you walk in, the tables and chairs look like they're 50 years old... clean and organized, but the area clearly needs an upgrade. But that's actually the point... every dollar this nonprofit earns goes directly to animal care, facilities, and expansion. Nothing is wasted on appearances. And that mindset defines everything about this place. We signed up for a tour and arrived early to walk around a bit on our own. By chance, we ran into Curt Logiudice, the founder and owner of the sanctuary... a remarkable man who has devoted his life to this mission. Hearing him explain how it started, how it's grown, and his vision for the future was inspiring. Watching him interact with the bear they have was priceless... playful, natural, and full of trust. You couldn't tell who was enjoying it more... Curt or the bear. What they're doing here is truly admirable. Their mission is the rescue of exotic animals from serious and often tragic situations. Once an animal arrives at Catty Shack Ranch, it has a home for life. They do not breed, trade, sell, or buy animals. The sanctuary is home to tigers, a bear, lions, pumas, leopards, lynx, foxes, and coatimundis... all cared for with dignity and respect. The guided tour is absolutely worth it. The staff is knowledgeable, the experience is educational, and you get surprisingly close to the animals while still feeling completely safe. The atmosphere is calm, respectful, and not overcrowded. I noticed families with kids whose eyes were wide with amazement... it's that kind of place. This is privately funded, and even veterinarians volunteer their time to care for animals in need of medical treatment. If you see Curt on the grounds... and you probably will... stop and talk to him. His passion, humility, and genuine love for these animals is unmistakable. Please visit. Please support this place. What they're doing here truly matters. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Best Buddies, Int. is a program that pairs a person with mental disabilities with a person without…read moremental disabilities into a buddy pair. It requires that the buddies talk on the phone at least once a week and spend time together at least twice a month. My very close friend is the Manager for the Jacksonville branch and warmly encouraged me to become a part of this amazing program. When I went into this program, I felt trepidation. I didn't know what to expect. How would I handle a person with mental disabilities? What would this require of me? Would I have a hard time making conversation? Would it be awkward? Would I feel sorry for my buddy? Shameful as it sounds to me now, and even then I knew my questions were ignorant, those were the worries running through my mind. However, I also had the suspicion that my buddy would end up teaching me more, helping me more, and encouraging me more than I would ever do them, in ways I could never expect. And I could not have been more right. All the worries I had regarding my buddy -- being able to converse easily, feeling uncomfortable... having to HANDLE them... My God, I feel so foolish for feeling those ways. People with mental disabilities are amazing, loving, vibrant people! They live full lives, with full personalities, and a full range of emotions and capacities to experience things. The only thing they lack is perhaps the ability to be so judgmental, to be so harsh towards others, to live selfishly and dishonestly. Best Buddies is an amazing program that is changing the minds and lives of so many people all over America. Not only do they work hard to pair people in compatible buddy matches, but they also organize numerous events throughout the year that are exciting for everyone involved! We go to sporting events, we go to movies, to the theater, to dinner, we play putt putt, we sing karaoke, we paint pottery... there is nothing that Best Buddies won't approach as a fun and engaging activity. I highly recommend this organization to EVERYONE. It will change your life in ways you cannot even imagine and fill you with a sense of happiness and peace that only a best buddy can give you.

Not sure what's up with all the mediocre reviews, but our toddler absolutely loved this place. So…read moremuch that we signed up for the membership

We really love this place. My LO is 19 months old and we've had a membership since he turned one…read more It's so cool to see him be able to engage in more and more on each visit. There are tons of options and areas. The older kids have always been so helpful with my little guy and he always has a blast. If you come more than once, the annual pass pays for itself and is very affordable. The staff is nice. Be prepared to have your photo ID with you every time you come!

Review #900 comes in the form of admiration for the Ronald McDonald House in Jacksonville. I…read morerecently toured the facility for the first time and still have goosebumps from my experience. This non profit charity does not receive any federal or government grants or funding. Contrary to popular belief, it's a completely donation-based organization, which is absolutely stunning, since they currently house 53 families free of charge. Patients and their families come from all around the world to seek medical attention in Jacksonville. When I toured the house, they spoke enthusiastically of a family who recently crossed the pond from Ireland. People might not be talking about this enough, but Jacksonville is home to state-of-the-art medical care. The house is beautiful. There's a courtyard, a full-service kitchen (larger than some restaurants), a pantry, a movie room, a play room, a prayer room, a class room, a covered parking garage, a gorgeous rooftop garden and so much more. On top of that, each employee I've worked with or met in passing has a passion so evident it's contagious. I have to admit there were times during the tour I found myself getting choked up. The mission is clear and they are truly changing lives by providing lodging, food and transportation better than most hotel accommodations. Add to the mix, families at their most stressful only emphasizes the Lord's work they're doing. Love, love, love! I encourage anyone to donate or give back to the Ronald McDonald House.