Story brought to you by Charlie's Angels Rescue in Florida-they pulled most of the cats in the video and can use your help (see FB Group link and more info below https://www.facebook.com/share/g/CE3uZxz3QyN9te7v/ ). The situation currently prevailing at the Polk County Animal Shelter in Lakeland, Florida, a tax-funded institution meant to protect and help animals, is heart-wrenching. Current management oversight by the Sheriff has left animal advocates, including myself, deeply concerned and worried for the welfare of these helpless beings.

Firstly, the shelter is under the leadership of the Sheriff, who maintains a tight control over access to the facility and information released from it. Employees are being suppressed from disclosing the actual conditions at the shelter. The transparency, a crucial facet of any tax funded establishment, is missing. We need animal advocates to be in charge of the shelter, not the Sheriff who has other things he is responsible for and needs to focus on. Let's let the animal professionals be in charge of the animal shelter.

Secondly, it is a heart-wrenching reality that the conditions at the shelter are far from humane. Precious animals are kept in 100 F metal cages without air conditioning, with kittens crying out pitifully while covered in their own feces without access to water. As of the writing of this petition, they no longer allow access to the "back holding room" where conditions are the worst. 

Third, the kill (euthanasia) rate of the shelter is alarmingly high, maintaining its disheartening rank as number one in Florida for the past three years and tragically fourth in the entire USA. 

Fourth, we  insist that Polk County establish a county-sponsored (free) TNR (Trap Neuter/Spay Release) program to control the stray animal population humanely and effectively.

Lastly, we have no access to crucial documents that outline how many deceased animals are sold and at what prices.

It is high time we call for critical changes at Polk County Animal Shelter. We demand the Sheriff to step aside as the shelter's leader, giving way for a competent individual who's genuinely compassionate about animal welfare. We need a fundamental improvement in the shelter conditions, ensuring humane treatments for all animals. It is pivotal to reduce their kill-rate (euthanasia) drastically, with an ultimate goal of saving as many animal lives as we can and making Polk County a no-kill county. 

We also need to establish a county funded  TNR (Trap Neuter/Spay Release) program which research shows is the most effective & humane way to deal with overpopulation of stray animals, and which the Sheriff has unequivocally stated they will never have in Polk County. Last, we call for the release of the documents regarding the sale of deceased animals, ensuring accountability is maintained.

Now, more than ever, the animals of Polk County need your help. Sign this petition to demand justice and compassion for these innocent lives. Let's stand up for those who can't speak for themselves!

If you want to help Charlie's Angels Rescue who got this on the news, took the videos and photos of the shelter conditions, and pulled most of the cats in the video and is currently caring for and getting them healthy for adoption, their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/CE3uZxz3QyN9te7v/