Street Cat Project of Polk County

06/22/2026

So these graph comparisons say it all. Polk Animal Control is failing the animals and people of Polk County. Please speak up and let the BOCC know your thoughts.

Polk County Board-Commissioner
Polk County Animal Control -Florida

06/21/2026

This might be hard to hear, but it needs to be said. Allowing pregnant cats to give birth is NOT rescue.
It may "feel" like rescue and it may "look" like rescue... but it is NOT rescue.

It directly contributes to the overpopulation crisis we are all trying to fix.
Every litter born adds more kittens into an already overwhelmed system. It takes resources away from cats already here and increases suffering long-term and adds to the crushing numbers of overpopulation

TNR exists for a reason.
You cannot claim to stop unplanned litters or reduce suffering while actively taking in pregnant cats for the purpose of having those kittens born.

THAT IS NOT PREVENTION
IT'S PARTICIPATION IS THE CYCLE

Real prevention means making the hard call and spaying the mom BEFORE birth.
Actually stop the cycle. You are in control.

This work isn’t about what makes us feel better in the moment. It’s about the animals and what actually reduces suffering over time.

Because the truth is…
you’re not saving them if you’re creating more of them.

Also, birth puts Mom's life in jeopardy. Can you afford a C-section or an ER visit if a kitten is retained in the uterus? Are you prepared if the kittens have medical problems or are born with genetic issues (several do)? Cats are not planning their baby rooms and wondering if they will be good parents. The majority of cats spayed before having kittens do not mourn (believe me, we spay A LOT of pregnant cats). Instead of being stuck in rescue for 8-10 weeks, taking up necessary space, spayed Momcats are ready to head to their forever homes asap. They never saw saw kittens. They do not miss the kittens ..... What is far worse is a cat who has kittens and the kittens die after birth and Mom looks for them for weeks 😢 Please stop putting human emotions on cats. This crisis is massive. Cats need YOU to prioritize their individual lives first. By doing so, you are allowing space for kittens who may never find safety at all. Focus on the cats that exist now.

No one wants to spay preggo cats but the alternative, is SO much more unnecessary suffering. When you are in rescue, you see the ENTIRE picture. Never in my life did I ever imagine to be on board with this concept.... 😭 But now, we are on the front lines. We have to focus on what we can control and how we can help the kittens that are here and now.

06/21/2026

I see you. 👁️👁️

I see you trying to keep up with the endless stream of calls and messages about pregnant mamas, abandoned kittens, sick cats, injured cats, and one more emergency that just can't wait until tomorrow.

I see you carrying the weight of all the animals you wish you could help.

And I want to tell you something 📢 that took me a while to learn myself.

👉 No matter how many cats you save, there will always be more.

There will always be another call, another litter, another crisis, another plea for help. 😿

I don't say that to discourage you. I say it because I know how easy it is to feel like you're failing when the need never seems to end. The need is simply greater than any one person can solve.

So please hear this:

It is okay to take a breather. It is okay to say no when your plate is full. It is okay to protect your peace, your health, your family, and your own well-being.

Because saving every cat was never your responsibility.

Every cat or kitten you help is 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩.

And the number of animals you've helped will never be as important as the quality of care you provide to the ones you can. 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡!

‼️ 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴 (us and the animals we're trying so hard to help)‼️

🐾 So if you're tired, rest.
🐾 If you're overwhelmed, step back for a moment.
🐾 If you need to say no, say no.

The work will still be there tomorrow and so will the cats.

Thank you for everything you do, even when it feels like it's never enough.

Because it is. It always has been.

06/20/2026

Excerpts of a blog by Animal Politics by Ed Bok:

“In 1998, California made a promise. The state declared that no adoptable or treatable animal should be euthanized in its shelters.

More than twenty-five years later, the University of California has delivered a lengthy report on a five-year, $50 million effort to help fulfill that promise. The report, prepared by the University of California Office of the President and driven by the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, tells lawmakers a hopeful story. Shelter intake is down. Overall euthanasia is down. Thousands of lives have been saved.

Perhaps the most important question is the simplest one:

After five years and $50 million, what intervention produced the largest measurable reduction in shelter killing?

The report’s own data point toward prevention. Cat intake fell. Cat euthanasia fell. The common thread was sterilization and population control.

The lesson seems obvious. The closer California gets to preventing unwanted births, the closer it gets to prevent shelter deaths.

That does not mean shelter operations do not matter. They do. Good housing matters. Disease prevention matters. Reuniting lost pets with their families matters. Adoptions matter. Veterinary access matters. But none of those strategies reduce the number of animals being born. Prevention does.

That is why the report’s most important finding may not be the one its authors intended to emphasize. The biggest success appears to have come from upstream population-control and prevention strategies, not from becoming more efficient at managing overcrowded shelters once the animals arrive.

The species that experienced the largest reductions in reproduction through sterilization and population-control strategies improved dramatically (CATS). The species that relied primarily on shelter-based interventions showed no comparable improvement (DOGS).

The report credits community cat programs, trap-neuter-return efforts, and expanded sterilization services as major reasons cat intake and euthanasia declined.

One path produced dramatic reductions in euthanasia. Increased trap-neuter-return efforts and expanded sterilization services. "

Overall outcomes (119 reporting shelters, 2019–2024)
Total intake: 608,437 → 517,713 (15% decrease)

Total euthanasia: 125,508 → 80,486 (36% decrease)

Euthanasia rate: 21% → 16% of intake (5‑point drop)

CATS:

Intake: 303,496 → 222,829 (27% decrease)

Euthanasia: 85,142 → 39,151 (54% decrease)

Euthanasia rate: 28% → 18% (10‑point drop)

UC credits community cat programs, TNR, and sterilization as key drivers.

06/20/2026

TNVR is the most humane solution. Is it perfect? No. But it’s the best solution we have since trap and kill doesn’t work and hasn’t worked for the last 20+ years.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ArYcwGuTU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Are Community Cats Harmful to Birds, Mammals and Other Native Species Populations? 🤔

The short answer is yes, Community Cats are a risk to native species (including birds, reptiles, and small mammals). 😿

The long answer is Community Cats are not the largest threat to native animals and wildlife, and the only viable humane and proven solution to feline overpopulation (thus ending the threat) is TN(V)R (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return). 👍🐈

🐾-For example, we recommend checking out this study that examines the native mammal population in Australia when cats are present. The findings will surprise you! The study found: Native mammals were most likely to die off on islands that had rats, but not cats, foxes, or dingoes. (https://tinyurl.com/catsnfoxes)

🐾-Or this study, discussing that “70% of cats were observed to catch less than 10 prey over a 12 month period”: https://tinyurl.com/catpreystats

🐾-This organization’s article discusses the many threats that contribute to bird population decline: https://tinyurl.com/birdthreats

We understand that outdoor, feral, and community cats can pose a risk to birds and other native species, but we do not believe this justifies poisoning, hurting, or killing the cats to lessen the population and therefore the harmful effects of overpopulation. In addition, many studies have been conducted that state that killing the cats doesn’t end overpopulation. 🐈🐈🐈🐈

🐾-Check Out this Study performed over 9 years in Australia proving the effectiveness of TN(V)R: https://tinyurl.com/aussiecats

🐾-This study involved 920 unowned free roaming cats, and reported a 30% decline in population after TNR: https://tinyurl.com/920cats

So, if TNR is the best solution for Community Cats, how can I protect native wildlife, garden birds, and other small critters? 🤔

In Alachua County, the Audubon Society met with county commissioners, Operation Catnip, Alachua County Animal Services, and the Humane Society to come up with solutions to offer the public. (https://tinyurl.com/audubontnr) 😍

In addition, members of the public can utilize safe & humane cat deterrent strategies to keep cats away from bird feeders or out of your unsuspecting neighbor’s lawn. 😻

Solutions include using motion-activated water sprinklers, an ultrasonic animal repellant, add rue to gardens or soil, or scatter natural fragrant items like fresh orange or lemon peels.🍊🍋

(https://tinyurl.com/catdeterrents)

We do NOT recommend collars for Community Cats because there is a chance they will get stuck on a fence or under a house, and trap the cat. ❎

Whether you are a bird, native animal, or cat lover- just know: the world is better off with more people like you. Together, we can work towards a solution that benefits all animals: wings, scales, & tails alike. 🐾🐦🦎

06/19/2026

TNVR in Polk. low cost spay neuter vouchers county funded. Now is the time. Contact Jason Varnadore the new Director of animal control and tell him it’s time. [email protected]. Or the Sheriff himself [email protected]

Should free-roaming cats be trapped, sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to where they were found? Many Florida counties say yes. Polk County says no. Tampa Bay 28's Chad Mills dug into the research, interviewed experts, and compared policies across the region.

06/18/2026

The Sheriff and his staff continue to say feeding the outside cats creates more cats. That is not true. Feeding street cats is the humane thing to do AND it helps to keep the cats from hunting or scavenging in dumpsters for food. BREEDING is what creates more cats (it’s the birds and bees folks). Cats are extremely territorial. If they find an open territory, they will move in and feeder or not, they will hang around that territory. If you stop feeding they will wander in search of food but they most likely will come back to their home base (territory). If you stop feeding it WILL NOT stop the breeding or get rid of the cats. You will still have cats, hungry weak cats, who continue breeding more cats. Again this is not rocket science. Getting the cats fixed lessens the number of cats and vaccinating them at the time of surgery puts a barrier between humans and wildlife for rabies. It’s simple math.

Fix them and feed them is the most humane, moral option for these cats who don’t ask to be born outside or dumped outside but that is their circumstance. Be humane. Be kind. They have a right to live.

If you see an ear tipped cat in your area, (meaning the top point of its left ear is snipped flat) and it looks healthy, clean and calm, just leave it be to live its life. It is fixed AND VACCINATED for rabies, and it’s just living its life.

Feeding Doesn't Create More Cats. Breeding Does. An Empty Stomach Doesn't Protect Wildlife

06/17/2026

We need to push for low cost spay neuter vaccinate vouchers for citizens with owned cats that need fixed and TNVR for street cats that need fixed. This is a two prong fix to create a humane barrier between humans and wildlife. Please email the Sheriff and the Director of animal control, Captain Jason Varnadore and tell them these programs need to be implemented in Polk County like other surrounding counties. [email protected]

06/16/2026

If only there was a way to create a barrier between rabid wildlife and humans. Hmmmm.??? Guess what? There is!! TNVR creates that barrier by vaccinating all community cats for rabies and depending on the surgery center FVRCP too.

Low cost vouchers for spay neuter and vaccinations helps people be able to afford fixing and vaccinating their animals.

Please email the Sheriff and Captain Jason Varnadore the Director of Animal Control. We need a county wide voucher program and a TNVR program now!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DBxrXNgRF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

06/15/2026

And if it’s illegal in Florida as the Commissioners state, then how can all these other counties continue running programs? PLEASE SHARE!