Polk County Animal Control

Reviews

Breanna Minnick

I recently had the pleasure of adopting a dog from Polk County Animal Control, and I cannot speak highly enough of the experience. After finding a stray dog and naming him Charcoal, we quickly bonded and realized he belonged with us. When a kennel space became available, the staff at Polk County Animal Control took him in to check for a previous owner. Though it was bittersweet to see him go, I was able to visit him at the shelter, and I could tell the staff truly cared for him. They were attentive and supportive throughout the process. After a week of waiting for anyone to claim him, the shelter placed a hold on him to ensure he wouldn’t be euthanized. This compassionate action made all the difference. We decided to place a citizen hold and ultimately adopted Charcoal ourselves. The adoption fees are reasonable, with dogs over 35 pounds costing $40 and those under 34 pounds costing $70. I believe they even have free pet adoptions on Fridays! Thanks to the amazing staff, we adopted Charcoal at no cost. They went above and beyond, even pulling strings to expedite his surgery so we could bring him home sooner. To express our gratitude, we threw a pizza party for the staff to thank them for all their help. Polk County Animal Control is located at 7115 De Castro Road, Winter Haven, FL, and their hours are from 10 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. If you’re considering adopting, I highly recommend reaching out to them. The dedication and care they show for their animals are truly commendable.

Deborah Koscin

I stopped here to look at kitties after I couldn't find a cat that I loved at the SPCA Florida. I admit I was somewhat apprehensive after reading some of the bad reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised at the helpful staff members and the way my adoption was handled. I was able to have time with each kitty I was interested in and never felt rushed. All the cats had adequate food and water, although it was hot even with the fans. I did end up adopting an amazing kitty named Jenny and feel happy that I potentially saved a life in the process. Special shout out to Officer Felix for her kindness. A+

Puddlejumper70 Bodie

Thank you to everyone at polk county animal shelter for helping me adopt my willow. We stopped at Panama city beach on our way home to arkansas to let willow enjoy some time out. She has been such a good girl and a love bug since we got her yesterday. Thank you all again for all you do saving all these fur babies.

Jennifer Weston

This place is busy. I would never have thought that animal control was in this building. It looks like a Sheriffs office. We had adopted a rescue puppy, and this is where she was spayed (part of the adoption). The older lady at the front desk was super nice. The older man, not so much. The ladies working in the back were very friendly, and on task. The building seemed clean and well organized.

Karena Tolbert

We adopted our sweet boy Eddie, then Niko, from this animal shelter on September 30, 2023. Although we agree that these poor animals are probably not in the best living situation here, we feel like they're doing the best they can. They are overwhelmed, and don't have a ton of volunteers lined up to help. Eddie had been adopted previously and returned within 5 days due to having been found to be deaf, and suffering separation anxiety. The first weekend was difficult for us. My husband was leaving to go out of town that very weekend and we have three other dogs! I'm so glad we stuck it out. Eddie is a part of our family and I couldn't imagine life without him! Try to remember this is animal control.. people are breeding and dumping their imperfect babies on the street! Adopting and then deciding a pet is just too much. The fact that these animals are being given the opportunity to find their furever homes at all is quite the feat! Please, please, please think adoption or rescue... if not here, somewhere!

Dee Eckenrode

After the atrocious statement by the Sheriff's office regarding the cats that were left sweltering and without water in over 100° weather at Polk County Animal Control, I can no longer support Polk County Sherrif Grady Judd who holds Animal Control under his purview. The video evidence clearly shows animals suffering, and there was more video than the news segment showed. The statement by the sheriff's office is pure gaslighting and a personal attack on the brave person who came forward with the evidence. You can see cats and metal cages with no water completely laid flat, not moving, eyes glazed, rapid breathing and panting, and dirty litter boxes as if they haven't been changed in days. One shelter worker had to check the pulse of three cats to see if they were still alive and the attitude was that this was normal. The statement by the Sheriff's Office that the shelter never had AC is not a reasonable excuse, but shows and proves culpability and lack of empathy, as well as refusal to be open to change to house these animals in a more humane air conditioned environment. I cannot trust a facility or this Sheriff when irrefutable evidence is in front of them nor do they have the rationality to admit that change needs to happen, but instead go on the offense and attack. Upon investigation from publicly online resources. I found research to support that the Polk County Sheriff's Office sells cat cadavers to Bio Corporation for $10 a cat helping to fund the Polk County Sheriff's Office. He also does not support trap neuter and return programs and has made statements in the past that he will never support it. In my opinion this is continuing the suffering of not only stray and Community cats that are continuously reproducing and being subject to community threats but also profiting off the killing of these cats in the shelter. These allegations were found through my research through public online sources and I cannot validate their truthfulness, however, It all makes sense now on why they were so apathetic towards the cats suffering, and why the Polk County Sheriff had such a knee-jerk reaction towards the woman trying to shed light and bring attention to this issue. As a concerned citizen I would have expected more. Shame on Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and shame on Polk animal control. Shame on the county commissioners and those in charge for allowing neglect and suffering to continue without prioritizing the development of a better, air conditioning facility nor funding additional professionally trained staff. I am sure there are hard-working people that are overwhelmed and trying to keep up, but there is such a thing as "caregiver exhaustion" or "compassion Fatigue" and lack of resources or support ends up in more neglect. The citizens of Polk County have trusted our elected officials, animal control and most importantly, the Sherrif to up hold the law, serve and protect. And that includes animals. These conditions have gone on for too long. The citizens of Polk county do not desearve knee-jerk reactions attacking another citizen with gaslighting by saying they are "lies" when there is irrefutable proof and an unwillingness to change or improve.

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Business Hours
Monday:08:00AM - 17:00PMTuesday:08:00AM - 17:00PMWednesday:08:00AM - 17:00PMThursday:08:00AM - 17:00PMFriday:08:00AM - 17:00PMSaturday:10:00AM - 16:00PMSunday:Closed

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Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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