TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – Concerned citizens crowded into the Taylor County Commission meeting Tuesday, voicing concerns about conditions at the county animal shelter, the number of stray animals in the area and the lack of funds to pay additional shelter staff.

Commissioner Pam Feagle added the item to the meeting agenda after receiving negative feedback from the public about the conditions and care at the county animal shelter. Eighteen people spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, expressing concern for the county’s animals.

Local organization Hearts for Hometown Dogs led the community mobilization effort after expressing concerns about the Taylor County animal shelter in a Facebook post on Friday, pointing out “neglectful” conditions and staffing issues.

While they acknowledged that working in animal control is “physically and emotionally demanding,” they noted that “there have been many instances where staff have failed to perform their basic duties as animal control officers.”

The organization said it would no longer volunteer to provide animal control and that the shelter must “take all necessary steps to better serve the animals in its care and better serve the community as a whole.”

The commission plans to improve the shelter and help neglected animals in the county during their workshop in September. They plan to have Hearts for Hometown Dogs review current policies to see where improvements can be made.

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