I cannot believe this is even something I have to write. I have lived in Florida most of my life. Primarily in Hillsborough County and then Polk County for five years. Currently I live in Levy County Florida. The animals here are in crisis and rather than help the county is looking to possibly remove their only hope. On February 21st at 3pm the county is meeting at 210 School Street in Bronson FL to determine if rescues can operate in the county. The county stated, “there are no legal operating rescues/sanctuaries in Levy County at this time as they are not permitted in our land department code.” The meeting will determine if this code should remain or change.  There are multiple 501c3 operating in the county that are now in danger.

This is appalling and unacceptable, we need the voice of those in power to ensure Levy County makes the right decision. I’ve been in this county for one year and in that year, I have seen more animal suffering than in my entire time in the prior counties. Multiple dogs and cats struck on roadways. Multiple animals wandering the streets. This is a county in need of more rescues, not less. I know you may be thinking that’s what they have animal services for, wrong. Their small animals service is overcrowded and lack the resources to help. This county has failed its citizens and the animals. Now these rescues who are working to help ease the suffering of these animals are in danger! The only help the county gets is from rescues and they want to target them. These animals cannot speak up for themselves, they cannot go to the meeting and beg the members of the board not to take away their safety and care. To not sentence them to an unsure future, possible death. Not to mention what would happen if the county said there could be no rescues, what would happen to all those animals? The county would tell them they have X number of days to remove the animals – do you think the county has a plan to deal with the influx of pets that would be homeless? No. 

We cannot let this happen; we need your help. We need all the voices; the animals need you to be their advocate. Please make your voice heard. We need your help to ensure the board makes the right decisions for the animals of Levy County by altering the code to allow rescues to operate in the county. 

Please sign this petition 

- Over animal services in Levy County John Meeks, Commissioner - district1@levycounty.org

-Levy County Zoning LCPZ@levycounty.org

-Public Comment form https://www.levycounty.org/department/commissioners_-_new_page/public_comment_form.php