09/08/2026
Today, our ACPS family remembers and honors Anne Varn, a dedicated animal advocate, foster, friend, and cherished part of the Dogs Around Duval community whose love for shelter dogs changed more lives than we could ever count.
Through her dedication to Dogs Around Duval and years of fostering, Anne gave so many ACPS dogs something they desperately needed: a chance to be known beyond the shelter.
Anne had a special way of seeing who a dog was outside of the kennel.
With her, dogs had the opportunity to settle into a home, experience new adventures, and let their personalities come through.
For those who simply needed someone in their corner, Anne was there.
She fostered countless dogs over the years, helping many find loving families, while a lucky few managed to convince Anne they were already home.
Franklin, whom Anne lovingly called her soul dog, was one of them.
After fostering him and watching him get adopted, Anne welcomed him back with open arms when he later returned to the shelter 🥹
Goosie came to her as an emaciated foster who simply needed a place to heal. She found that with Anne, and eventually found her forever home with her, too.
Anne's commitment to these dogs continued through her final days.
On August 17, she spent her final Dogs Around Duval outing with Conway Twitty.
Shortly after, she welcomed 11-year-old Scarlet into her home as her newest foster.
Anne was surrounded by Franklin, Goosie, and Scarlet when she passed.
She left this world surrounded by the very lives she had dedicated so much of hers to saving.
Today, Franklin, Goosie, and Scarlet are back in our care at ACPS. Their lives have changed suddenly, and now three dogs who meant so much to Anne are once again depending on the community she was such a special part of.
And already, our community has begun wrapping its arms around them.
We are incredibly grateful to Hounds Town for opening their doors to Franklin and Goosie, who will be making their way there this evening while we work to find their forever homes. Scarlet will remain in our care as we search for hers.
Our greatest hope is to find each of them the kind of loving home Anne would have wanted for them, one where they will be cherished just as much as they were with her.
Anne gave so much of herself to the dogs who needed her.
Now, it is our privilege to care for the ones she leaves behind. 💕
