Polk County Animal Control Euthanized Four Beloved Cats While Owner Was Hospitalized, Then Apologized
A Polk County woman returned home from a week-long hospital stay to learn that Polk County Animal Control (PCAC) had euthanized her four cats almost immediately after taking them in, despite telling her the animals would be held for 10 days.
Tracy Jillard said she was hospitalized when PCAC picked up her cats, Petey, Macc, Little One, and Angel. She said the agency was in contact with the hospital during her stay, leading her to believe her cats were safe and being held. When she finally received an answer from PCAC after her discharge, she said she was told the animals had been euthanized almost immediately after arriving at the facility.
PCAC told her the cats were “extremely wild and feral.” Jillard disputes that completely.
“My babies were the most sweet and gentle babies,” Jillard wrote in a public statement. “They loved cuddling and belly rubs. Petey and Little One loved to play fetch and hide and seek in my blanket.”
Polk County Animal Control has since apologized.
According to Jillard, Heartland Cat Rescue, listed as the original owner on Petey’s microchip, was notified by PCAC but only after the cats had already been euthanized. Heartland Cat Rescue had offered to retrieve all four cats, and also offered to take Angel, who was not originally adopted from them.
Jillard was clear that Heartland Cat Rescue bears no responsibility for what happened.
“None of this is on them,” she said. “They have worked with me several times in the past. I believe in them. This is all on PCAC.”
Under the Polk County Animal Control Ordinance, microchipped healthy animals are entitled to a minimum seven-day hold. However, the ordinance also allows the agency to euthanize animals classified as diseased, feral, or injured without the standard holding period. The ordinance further permits the Animal Control Administrator to reduce any holding period in cases of overcrowding or a local state of emergency.
The Citrus Tea reached out to Polk County Animal Control for comment. A response had not been received as of publication.
Jillard’s losses did not end with the four cats taken by PCAC. She said her cat Joe was found dead by neighbors when they arrived to feed the animals after she returned home from the hospital. His brother Frank had already died previously. Neighbors buried Joe for her.
“I really miss my precious boys,” Jillard wrote.
This story was first reported by the Lakeland Gazette on June 17, 2026.
Sources: Public statement by Tracy Jillard, June 2026; Lakeland Gazette, “Why Did Polk County Animal Control Kill My Four Loving Cats, Then Apologize for It?” June 17, 2026; Polk County Animal Control Ordinance 18-068, polksheriff.org
