Kitty Lifesaving Program Launched By Sheriff's Office Partnership

POLK COUNTY, FL — A kitty lifesaving program that helps save vulnerable kittens has launched in Polk County.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office and Best Friends Animal Society have partnered to create this program. In the program, kittens brought to the Polk County Animal Services or motherless kittens found by the public will be fostered by local volunteers until they are about two months old, which is when they are of age to be spayed or neutered and then adopted. They will then be ready for adoption.

A goal of the program is to save 500 kittens by Dec. 31.

Animal Services has been dedicated to increasing the lifesaving programs at the shelter, but it takes a village to save them all, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. Best Friends, a national animal welfare organization, has been collaborating with the shelter for several years, and established the new foster program in March.

"Our goal is to supplement the work that Polk County Animal Services and other dedicated rescue organizations in Polk County are already doing,” Fraily Rodriguez, director of Lifesaving Centers, Best Friends Animal Society said. “We saw there was a lifesaving opportunity in the system with the youngest of kittens who are the most vulnerable and resource intensive in a shelter because of the round-the-clock care they require. With the community’s support, we can increase lifesaving for them and make a tangible difference for pets in Polk County."

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the sheriff's office is excited about the new joint venture with Best Friends.

"Our citizens are caring and resourceful—we know that with the right structure in place, we can help these kittens find forever homes.," Judd said.

Foster families, transport drivers and adoption ambassadors are needed for the new program. Those interested in helping can email fosterpolk@bestfriends.org for more information. When kittens from the program are available for adoption they will be listed on bestfriends.org/polkcounty.