Animal welfare

Called for prevention and retention — spay/neuter, affordable vet care, and owner support — rather than only shelter outcomes, and promoted the TLC Pet Snip 3,000-pound pet food drive; thanked Commissioner Troutman for pursuing spay/neuter funding.

During CareerSource comment she asked why no one from CareerSource Florida was present; later she detailed shelter problems and the state's worst non-live release rate.

The Rescue Dog Network founder cited a hoarding complaint with no response and said 4 of 10 animals don't leave the county system alive.

Described volunteer work at adoption events, praised a new low-cost spay/neuter voucher program, and honored the rescues, fosters, and shelter workers on the front lines.

Thanked the board, praised the since-dissolved animal advisory committee concept, reported on her shelter tours at Commissioner Scott's suggestion, and cheered the new Tenth and Galloway roundabout.

Urged the county to fund a year-round low-cost spay/neuter program, noting Polk euthanizes about half the animals entering Animal Control and that out-of-county rescues are doing the county's work.

Urged adoption of a TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) ordinance, citing a recent rabid-cat attack and cost savings versus impound-and-euthanize; answered commissioners' questions on revaccination and immunity.

Thanked the board for listening, described Animal Control as overwhelmed, and urged focus on the root cause: affordable spay/neuter and preventing unwanted litters.

Founder of DLB Cat Rescue pitched a 'rescue campus' combining education, vet care, spay/neuter, and volunteer training, built through partnerships rather than tax burden.

Described decades of private rescue work and questioned why the Sheriff's adoption website shows only 19 dogs when kennels are full; asked for a solid facility and a committee.

Asked the board to treat animal welfare as a core service, citing the $5.8 million budget; requested a comparison with peer counties, prevention investment, and consideration of a civilian-managed shelter.

Said Polk remains known as Florida's highest-kill shelter and asked for spay/neuter vouchers, TNVR, breeder enforcement, and an animal welfare committee.

Criticized officials for denying concerns, argued Ordinance 18-68 is inconsistent and needs clarity, said returning sterilized cats is not abandonment, and called for an animal welfare committee.

Gave an update on the animal welfare improvement model, praised progress at Animal Control, and asked for ordinances, support programs, and an animal welfare advisory committee.

Urged civility among advocates and asked the county to close a gap in its animal control ordinance by licensing pet sellers and curbing backyard breeding.

Corrected the record on Commissioner Braswell's April 21 statements, documenting years of unanswered voucher-program emails and disputing claims that TNVR is illegal or that advocates 'dump' animals.

Called Polk the highest-kill shelter in Florida, urged low-cost vet care, pet food banks, a TNVR program and an animal welfare advisory board.

Thanked Braswell for backing TLC Petsnips and proposed a draft animal welfare advisory committee.

Pushed back on Braswell's 'be productive' remark, describing 20 years of rescuing strays and volunteering, and called for an updated animal control facility.

Took offense at Braswell's TV-time remark, said rescues never asked for county checks, and urged commissioners not to follow his stance.

Honored local animal rescuers and volunteers, then asked the county to fund high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter for dogs and community cats to cut shelter intake numbers.

A Winter Haven volunteer who traps and sterilizes community cats; said animal welfare in the county is 'stuck' and urged commissioners to visit the shelter, talk with rescue leaders, and open dialogue with the sheriff's office.