Transparency (as defined) is “the quality of being open to public scrutiny.” Sadly, Mr. Judd’s PCAC gravely lacks any sense of transparency

Editorial

It intimidates local rescues who “step out of line” by challenging the excessive kill rates, resists implementing innovative lifesaving principles, and lacks clarity regarding the yearly ‘outcome’ statistics. These actions must be eradicated immediately.

Shelters that embrace transparency, will often post on their website a running tally of shelter intakes, adoptions, transfers to rescues, and deaths. However, PCAC tries to keep these totals a guarded mystery.

The only way the public can see what’s happening with their tax money is by submitting a Freedom of Information Act, or Foia request. It’s a slow and arduous process, that’s filled with “Why do you need that?” questioning. The ‘us versus them’ mentality alienates anyone who would even Think about trying to help save the animals housed at the facility. In most communities, rescues who partner with ethically run government shelters will often offer to take the major medical cases or neonate puppies or kittens for bottle raising at the rescue’s expense.

In Polk County medical care and basic medications are often withheld with the expectation that “why treat them if they’ll be euthanized in a few days anyway.”  

Very few rescues can work with PCAC because of their draconian rules and fear of retaliation. Scrutiny is often met with harsh backlash and less than professional public ridicule. In the summer of 2024, it was discovered that the cats were suffering from heat exhaustion due to being housed without an air cooling system on 90-degree days. Instead of addressing the problem, PCAC resorted to calling the whistleblower, “just a cat lady who was trying to go viral on social media”.

The ‘whistleblower’ showed her integrity by bailing out multiple animals, most of which were sick due to lack of proper nutrition and basic medical care.  If these animals were simply given the routine antibiotics for URI, which is common in homeless cats and kittens, the respiratory infection would not have gotten to the point of being life-threatening.

However, according to the Whistleblower, her new animals were touch and go for weeks and required multiple vet trips to fix the PCAC-created issues. No wonder they try to keep their operation hidden from public scrutiny.

Rescues are forced to walk on eggshells because if they do anything that doesn’t fit into PCAC’s narrative, they’ll face harsh punishment. A rescue, who is forced to remain anonymous for the sake of future animal welfare, stated that if you’re late picking up your selected animals, PCAC will kill your rescued animals on the spot and the rescue will be permanently banned from ever saving another life from Polk County.

The list of shady and illicit dealings involving PCAC is endless and growing, including what happens to the dead animal’s remains.

Dear Polk County residents, I know you are better than this. Please do not be intimidated into keeping silent. Government is in place to work FOR you not to belittle and intimidate you.  Demand Change and Demand it Now.