There are approximately 50 cats living on the Seminole Reservation in Hollywood, Florida, that were being fed daily and efforts underway by non-Seminole citizens to trap, neuter, and  return ("TNR") the cats or re-home the cats.  These non-Seminole citizens were recently banned from feeding and/or continuing to TNR the cats.  The head of the Seminole Department of Conservation, Craig Van Der Heiden, stated that the Seminole Animal Control will be trapping the cats to "re-home" them but will not provide the necessary food and water for the cats while their TNR efforts are ongoing and refuse to coordinate with local animal welfare organizations to ensure the cats receive proper nourishment at the times when the Seminole Animal Control is not actively trapping, which is in violation of Fla. Statute 828.12(1) of the Florida's animal cruelty laws. Each day, countless cats suffer, roaming the streets in search of sustenance, risking malnutrition, dehydration, and even death as result of the Seminole Tribe' violation of Florida law. 

The Seminole Tribe must comply with Fla. Stat. 828.12(1), which emphasizes the importance of animal welfare, explicitly requiring that animals not endure unnecessary suffering. However, enforcement of this statute is currently lacking on the reservation, where cats cannot be fed or provided water unless explicitly part of a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiative. This gap in care leaves many strays vulnerable when no TNR activities are underway.

Fla. Stat. 285.16 makes it clear that civil and criminal jurisdiction extends to Indian reservations, which means that these animal protection laws must be respected and enforced within the reservation's boundaries. The current situation not only violates state law but poses a significant threat to the health and safety of these defenseless animals.

Providing accessible food and water stations not only addresses basic animal welfare needs but can also have broader community health benefits. By meeting the nutritional needs of stray cats, we can mitigate the risks of them becoming road hazards or exhibiting aggressive behaviors due to scarcity. Moreover, well-fed cats are less likely to resort to scavenging through garbage or arriving hungry at locals' doors, fostering a more harmonious coexistence with the community.

We urge Craig Van Der Heiden, email address: craigvanderheiden@semtribe.com, Director of the Department of Conservation,  the Seminole Tribe:  to take immediate action to rectify this issue by:

1. Ensuring that Fla. Stat. 828.12(1) is upheld on the reservation.
2. Establishing designated feeding and watering stations in safe locations until TNR programs can be executed effectively.
3. Collaborating with local animal welfare organizations to monitor the health and well-being of these animals regularly.

Each day that passes without action is another day these innocent creatures suffer needlessly. Sign this petition to demand that the Seminole Tribe takes responsible and compassionate steps towards compliance and the protection of cats on their reservation. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these vulnerable animals and uphold the values of kindness and care in our community.