By Street Cat Project of Polk County
Recently, The Ledger posted an article about the Animal Defenders of Polk County, FL speaking at the Commissioners meetings about the need for an Animal Ordinance Change in Polk County. Something in the article stuck out to me. Mr. Nutcher of the Ledger quoted the Communications Director of the Sheriff’s Office, Scott Wilder, stating that “…releasing feral invasive cats into the environment – even PETA agrees with us – where they decimate wild populations of small mammals and birds”.
Citing PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) in any domestic animal discussion shows the total ignorance and education of someone with regard to animal welfare. PETA is not domestic animal friendly, dogs or cats. PETA describes pet ownership as “an abysmal situation”. Ingrid Newkirk, director of PETA, elaborates further, stating, “if people want toys, they should buy inanimate objects…” She states, “in the end I think it would be lovely if we stopped this whole notion of pets altogether”.
Ridiculously PETA has argued that outdoor cats would be better off dead because they “might” contract a future illness. Maybe anyone over 50 should be killed because we “might” get cancer, or diabetes, or any other illness. PETAs pro pro-killing attitude is part of its core and should shock any animal lover.
PETA has a “shelter” in Virginia where their Live Release Rate is abysmal. In a review of 2 months of PETA’s shelter records, 245 of the 290 animals taken into custody resulted in 84% being killed within 24 hours. Only 17 were reported as adopted or in foster homes. They don’t even meet their own published guidelines for operating a humane animal shelter. As of July 2025, the average annual salary for employees at PETA’s United States operations is $94,236. That is approximately $45 per hour. We can see where all the donations go.
In their defense, they do promote humane treatment of animals, shutting down puppy mills, and spaying and neutering. They are not pro-rescuer, pro-bully breed, or pro-rescue in general. They do not think animals should be owned in any capacity. They say that animals are better off dead than being put in the hands of humans, where they could “potentially” be abused in the future sometime. They also think all animals should be fed a vegan diet.
All of this is documented on various sites online and is easy to find. This is why using any information from PETA to counter pro-TNVR programs is ludicrous.
TNVR works, it’s proven to work, it is the only humane way to curb outside cat populations, and it needs to be implemented via Ordinance Change in Polk County. We are drowning in outside cat colonies. Every mobile home park, every fast food restaurant, every strip mall, every community. Change needs to happen now. Please email the County Commissioners and join us on September 2nd for the next Commissioner meeting. 9 AM, Bartow. Make your voice heard.
Cute cat for your enjoyment.
#TNVR #streetcats #euthanasiaisnotpopulationcontrol #lakelandfl #bartow #mulberryfl #winterhaven #hainescity #Auburndale #polkcountyfl #polkcountycommissioners
Does SPCA still have there fix and release back where they found them. They would notch the ear. This was such a great way to help without killing.
Grady recently said on BayNews9 – all lives are precious. I’d venture to say that one cat is worth more than 1,000 of his “guests” at the Green Roof Inn.