Take your pick from these dogs and cats yearning for a home

Cold Noses, The Florida Times-Union's weekly pet column, features dogs and cats available for adoption at area government-run animal shelters and animal welfare-related news.

Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services has waived adoption fees and made a public appeal for people to adopt or foster dogs to help ease expected overcrowding. The shelter currently houses 433 dogs in 64 kennels with more soon to arrive from two large impound cases.

Shelter Chief Michael Bricker said, "Every kennel we free up by sending a pet to foster or to a loving home means we can help another animal in need. Being this full is hard on both the dogs and the staff caring for them … Lifesaving requires everyone in a community."

Over the past year, the shelter had

record lifesaving despite record demand: nearly 30% more animals, but 44.5% more adoptions. View pets via the shelter's new app — at jacksonville.gov/categories/mobile-apps/jaxpawfinder. The shelter is at 2020 Forest St.; hours are noon to 7 p.m. daily.

The Jacksonville Humane Society will hold an Adopt Joy adoption event 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at PetSmart, 8801 Southside Blvd. Supported by PetSmart Charities, all dog and cat adoption fees will be waived, but additional fees may apply. All pets are altered, microchipped and vaccinated prior to adoption. For more information, go to jaxhumane.org.

• Nassau County Animal Services, 86078 License Road, Fernandina Beach. Call [phone]. To view available animals, go to nassaucountyfl.com/845/Animal-Services or facebook.com/NassauCountyAnimalServices. Kittens are available for adoption at Petco stores at 463713 Florida 200 in Yulee and 11900 Atlantic Blvd. in Jacksonville; Tractor Supply Co., 463184 Florida 200 in Yulee; and Pet Supplies Plus, 6500 Georgia 40, St. Marys, Ga.

Watson is a 3-year-old male mixed-breed dog (ID No. 61147947). He is a big guy with an even bigger personality. He is a huge ball of energy who loves to stay active, play and have fun. He needs an adopter who can keep up with his adventurous spirit and give him plenty of opportunities to burn off energy.

Charmeleon is an 8-month-old female mixed-breed dog (ID No. 61167254). She is still a puppy and has so much life and love ahead of her. She is sweet and could be an ideal young companion for life’s adventures. She is ready to leave shelter life behind and grow up with a family of her very own.

• St. Johns County Pet Center, 130 N. Stratton Road, St. Augustine. Call [phone] or go to sjcfl.us/departments/animal-control. To view available animals, go to petfinder.com/member/us/fl/st-augustine/st-johns-county-animal-control-pet-center-fl751. Friends of the St. Johns County Pet Center has shelter cats available for adoption Saturdays at PetSmart, 1779 S. U.S. 1 in St. Augustine, facebook.com/fosjcpc.

Kane is a 1-year-old, 37-pound male terrier dog (ID No. 83142). He is lovable, sweet, playful, gentle, happy and always up for a good game or cuddle session. He has great manners and is fully house- and crate-trained. He is social and enjoys spending time with children and other dogs, but prefers a home without cats.

Roxy is a 1-year-old, 56-pound female shepherd mix dog (ID No. 84347). She is playful, affectionate and always eager to show her love. She has a curious mind, always ready to explore and discover new adventures. Her loyalty knows no bounds. She is houstrained and gets along with other dogs and with older children.

• Clay County Animal Services, 3984 W. Florida 16, Green Cove Springs. Call [phone] or email [e-mail]. To view available animals, go to claycountygov.com/community/animal-services.

Notorious DAWG is a 10-month-old, 32-pound male mixed-breed dog (ID No. A0061560799). He is shaggy, scruffy and adorable and looks like he walked off the set of a movie. He’s a sweet goofy boy with looks, personality and main-character energy. He is ready to find his people and start his next chapter. 

Milo is a 3-month-old, 3-pound female domestic shorthair cat (ID No. A0061577115). She’s curious, playful and full of energy. She is the perfect combination of sweet and sassy. She will keep you entertained with her playful antics, then remind you she's lovable too. She needs a family who will give her plenty of love, attention and room to grow.

• Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services, 2020 Forest St. Call [phone] or email [e-mail]. To view available animals, go to coj.net/pets or facebook.com/jaxanimalcare. Interested adopters can also check out the animals using the shelter's new PawFinder App at jacksonville.gov/categories/mobile-apps/jaxpawfinder.

Cliff is a 3-year-old, 62-pound male mixed-breed dog (ID No. A1477407). He's got the goofiest grin you’ll ever see and, with the help of tasty treats, loves making new friends. He also loves walks, sitting for treats, snuggling and spending time with other dogs in the shelter's playgroup.

Sydney is a 14-week-old, 2-pound male domestic shorthair cat (ID No. A1480125). He's still a baby, but is already learning to enjoy the finer things in life, like romping around the Kona Cat Room with his feline friends at the shelter. But he'd love to join a family.

Adoptable animals are also available at Putnam County Animal Services, which recently moved to a new location at 122 Orie Griffin Blvd., Palatka. Call [phone], option #1. To view available animals, go to putnampals.com.

Beth Reese Cravey has been a reporter for The Florida Times-Union for 45 years, currently specializing in nonprofits and health. She can be reached at [e-mail].

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Take your pick from these dogs and cats yearning for a home