Reporting Animal Abuse
Investigation
As a part of its responsibility to investigate cruelty, mistreatment or neglect of animals, the Humane Society:
- Through its court-appointed investigators, investigates complaints of cruelty, abuse and neglect of animals. When appropriate, The Society may seize abused animals, pursuant to its statutory authority. Court orders may be sought to permanently remove animals from their owners or custodians.
- Operates a Shelter For Abused Animals.
- Provides adoption services for the public to adopt abused and neglected animals. The minimal fee is used to help defray the costs of spaying and neutering the adopted animals (required by state law). Persons interested in adopting animals are welcome at the shelter any time between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Coordination
A number of agencies, both private and governmental, have responsibilities for animal protection and control. The Humane Society attempts to cooperate with all of these agencies in an effort to provide assistance and supplement its own programs. For example, the Humane Society cooperates with local law enforcement officials and the County Animal Control Agency to provide emergency medical care for animals that have been found injured.
The Humane Society works with two agencies that are sometimes confused with the Humane Society by the general public. The first, The Leesburg Humane Society, is a totally independent organization providing similar, but not always identical, programs in the greater Leesburg area. It also maintains an Animal Shelter near Leesburg. Both Humane Societies are supported solely by private donations and fundraising activities.
The second agency frequently confused with the Humane Society is Lake County Animal Control, a governmental agency strictly supported by taxpayer funds. It operates the Animal Control Shelter near Astatula. It is this Shelter, or "pound", where stray or lost animals are usually taken by law enforcement and animal control officers. Space and personnel limitations and the flood of lost or stray animals at the County Shelter result in unclaimed animals being euthanized within just a few days after arriving. Although we attempt to cooperate with the County Shelter as well as other public and private agencies, we have no control over its policies or procedures. The County Shelter has no connection with The Humane Society of Lake County.