Photograph is not from Polk County Animal Shelter- (Pixabay License – Guvo59 Photographer)

I was recently contacted over LinkedIn by fellow animal activist, Jessica Ragazzo, about very disturbing conditions at the Polk County, Florida Animal Shelter. The shelter, which is in Winter Haven, Florida, has recently been the subject of much media and public scrutiny.

Animal advocate, Natalie Scott, toured the facility and shared very serious concerns about the health and welfare of the cats she photographed. After watching the media reports about this – I believe this shelter should have been investigated for animal welfare violations, including the lack of air conditioning and lack of water! In the video she talks of the tragedy of seeing kittens covered in feces and filth. This is absolutely unacceptable and should be immediately be addressed.

I encourage readers of my blog to click on the following video which documents the cats and kittens that are lethargic and panting heavily as they lay in cages in the Florida heat. Here is a link to one of the media reports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BecVWJkkpSI

If this is considered acceptable treatment of cats and kittens in an animal shelter- then torture through over heating and dehydration is considered animal welfare. No animal, in any shelter, should be subjected to severe heat and dehydration.

Anyone with any concern about animal welfare can clearly see the suffering of these cats and kittens in the video she took. It is impossible to believe that any official involved in the oversight of this shelter could defend this type of neglect and cruelty. After viewing the video in the link above, this is not some bureaucratic issue that should be dragging on for years. This over crowding, lack of air conditioning and water should not be acceptable in any animal shelter. The Polk County Animal Shelter also has a very high euthanasia rate which is also extremely concerning.

The Best Friends Animal Society has offered assistance to the Polk County Animal Shelter. Here is a link to how they have helped implement foster programs at the Polk County Shelter – https://bestfriends.org/stories/best-friends-magazine/best-friends-satellite-foster-programs-take. In a recent communication to Jessica Ragazzo, The Best Friends Animal Society, stated that the Polk County Animal Shelter would have to create changes that ensure a 90% save rate as well as implementing a comprehensive community cat program . Once those changes are made, The Best Friends Animal Society can resume working with the Polk County Animal Shelter.

I believe all animal shelters should have proper oversight by governing authorities. In times when those authorities do not take proper protective – legal measures, it takes major efforts by animal advocates and animal welfare organizations to get productive change! Please contact Jessica Ragazzo at jessicaragazzo@gmail.com if you would like more information about the important campaign to see major humanitarian changes instituted at this shelter. There is also a Facebook Group – Charlies Angels and The Last Chance Advocacy Group, which is set up to help the animals at the Polk County Animal Shelter.

Please feel free to contact me if you get involved in this important issue and want to share any updates. Thanks for your concern and let’s keep the pressure on those whose responsibility it is to protect these animals!