Highlands County Animal Services

Taryn Nicosie

2023-12

I feel this review is so needed for this Caring Human Society.I recently adopted a sweet baby from Highland Human Society.Understand I am an active volunteer at the Human Society of Tampa Bay which I love. We also have a location that is near a city and has a lot of funding and gets a lot of donations and a lot of volunteering. .I did read the reviews before I adopted my sweet fur baby.People don't understand how much money it takes to run a shelter. I think people judge unfairly sometimes. The sign on the door reads they run on donations !!! Get it people I felt the staff cared and were doing their best. It is hard work , Please know I"m not judging the people that wrote the reviews. But offering an inside. They need help , please do what you can to help out ! I thank them and appreciate all the hard work in the name of God !!

Svitlana Tukalevska

2023-08

We've just adopted Smiley from that facility. The personal was wery nice and helpful. We are thankful them for helping us to meet and greet our Smiley. We recommend this place if you are looking for a good dog to adopt. Please, go there and save a life as they are full and need help.

Jasmine Lawton

2024-01

Animal Control is a Joke. We called them about the neighbors TWO pit bulls attacking my mom’s little dog and they did NOTHING. Keep in mind this is not the first time we have called regarding these same dogs attacking another dog that we have had previously. We were told there was nothing that could be done when the first time this happened the owner was told he had to keep the dogs on the leash when they are brought outside. Not ONE “officer” came out. Even the vet we took our dog to says they have issues with animal control around here. Long story short our little dog has now passed away due to his injuries from the these vicious animals. Thanks Highlands County Animal Control. Horrible Job if I must say so myself.

Charlene

2024-04

I was telling lady who came from animal control was not to friendly and when I was trying to explain to her even when animal control past us and I was trying to flag them down and kept on driving by and when I called up to the station explained that went past me and trying to let them know yay cat here not over there so turn around and even the cat carrier has my cat name on it and it not my cat in carrier it someone else cat that they drop off last night abandoned it and it was cold and hungry and thirsty so I did all that keep it warm and feed and need to be fix and adopted out and it friendly

Charlotte Dean

2024-04

Put hold payment on furbaby kept asking what the adoption price would be I recieved no answeri was informed I could come pick her up only then was I told the adoption fee was 270.$ left with a broken 💔 she is still there.

Sandra Shrum

2024-02

They have been friendly, helpful and very kind in helping me to transfer some stray cats. Also a few of mine that I could no longer afford as it got out of hand.

Gaayathri Krishnan

2023-10

Officer Todd Turner was totally 100% amazing! We found an injured possum on the middle of the road - The officer came at 10.30pm and helped the possum!!He came within 10minutes of placing the call. Incredible job :) thank you once again, officer!

J’S MADNESS

2023-05

The front office manager ( Judy ) was a nightmare. She answered any questions i had with obvious attitude as if i was wasting her time and proceeded to rolling her eyes and presented a nasty demeanor about the animal i adopted as if she didn’t want him adopted. She saw fit to talk over me and correct me multiple times which at that point i was on the verge of A. Tears. Or B walking out. The breed was pit mix and the Impression i was given by her was he will kill anything around him animal wise and is horrible with kids ? Meanwhile he’s licking my hand and wagging his tail the entire time i interacted with him. He’s a beautiful, loving, addition to our family. He loves all of our kids ages 6-13 and has yet to notice the neighborhood strays. I’m leaving this to alert people of her temper and Unprofessionalism. I have severe anxiety and was looking for a potential service animal so this was really stressful to deal with. PLEASE don’t assume you can treat people without respect or just common Curtesy. You work in customer service at a humane society this is not the attitude for that industry as it may discourage potential adoptions in the future.

Christine Daniel

2023-09

Really nice people who actually care about the animals. Sadly some county shelters are holding places due to financial constraints. This may be no different as far as their numbers finances and space but have kind people working with these most vulnerable furry pals.

Thee Izzy

2023-05

Absolutely horrible individuals work there . They are hostel and unhelpful. Kyle and Steve are the worst of them . I called about a puppy in distress and was treated like a Nuisance. Kyle was Incredibly aggressive, Unknowledgeable, and down right rude. I told her a puppy was cry and possibly hurt in a neighbors backyard and her response was we can't do anything about barking, I never said anything about barking, I was worried the puppy was hurt because he wont stop crying..... Their phone had an issue and i couldn't hear her and she told me to be quite and let her finish talking, but i didnt even know she was talking because I couldn't hear her. I asked to speak with someone else, since she was obviously not in a good mood. Steve got the phone and wasnt any better. The whole experience was terrible. They dont care about the animals at all.

Richard Carpenter

2021-05

I made a brief visit to HC Animal Services today after having worked at the HC Humane Society for almost 4 years. HCAS and HCHS have a close working relationship that I'm proud to be a part of and my visit was very informative. Unlike many County Animal Services Highlands Animal Services is truly focused on saving and relocating as many animals as possible. Their effort is both through AS as well as through thr Humane Society. The County facility was clean, in very good repair and staffed by a group of very nice officers. Highlands County can and should be proud of the operation of this County Department.

Brianna Rah

2022-05

I gave these uneducated animal control officers a chance to be ethical but apparently they have nothing better to do but cite people when a dog walks ten feet in the road. The funny part is that when they are “friends” with people they will not site them such as someone named Stephanie in Avon Park. I think that would be considered an internal affairs issue which will be brought to their attention.If you’re looking to move to a white trash area with a whole bunch of uneducated, uncultured people, this is the place to be.

Dave Bach

2023-09

I adopted my chiwee from you almost a 3 years ago Diego now (Whiskey ) he is such a blessing ,Thank you so much.Please consider adopting from here, very friendly and Alexandria very helpful.

Joseph Shea

2021-05

I called this service because one of our two 12 yr.old dogs was suffering and we had to end it and send him over the rainbow bridge😪 One very difficult thing to do! The man that took care of this for us couldn't have been a more professional,compassionate and caring person on earth! If ever you need this sad service I highly recommend Here! One month later I adopted a 5yr.old Chihuahua mix. He was a problem right off. He wouldn't let me near the end of his leash and growled,snapped and bit at me! Was told he had been adopted 3or4 times so that made me determined to give Waylon a home and now he only growls at my wife!😄

helen rachel

2019-05

The staff here was so helpful when we decided to adopt a rescue. All of the animals we saw were treated kindly and were healthy. Each person we encountered and worked with was genuinely interested in helping us make the right choice for our family. We truly appreciate all the time and effort that went into our adoption.

Ivy Smart

2020-05

Almost 2 years ago I adopted an English Bulldog from you and it was the best decision I’ve made in a long time. Her name was Lucy now known as Miss Wiggles. She is a love. She likes other dogs but, people are herfavorites. I am so blessed to have her!Ivy Smart

Ron Hevener

2016-05

What a disgrace...called and left messages for 2 days explaining that we lost a dog and gave the details of where he was lost and what he looked like, breed etc and would they please check and call us if they had him..we then emailed them also detailing the location and dog...no response at all...decided to drive over there just to be safe and what do you know...there's our dog in a disgusting dirt-hole of a place panting like crazy in a dirty pen and had been there for a day and a half.After reading the other reviews and now with our experience, someone needs to investigate this place...just how many pets have gone a bad way because of uncaring, incompetent personnel?After reading up on how quickly they euthanize and how many, this is no shelter...it's a storage dump for animals who stand little chance after just a few days.If you've lost your pet in this area, get down there quickly and keep checking...chances are it's there and it's suffering.By the way, this is not to be confused with the Humane Society which is right next door, they are a wonderful group with very nice facilities who actually do care about animals.

Reedy Hideaway

2020-05

Animal control picked up an old black lab mix named Chase 3/12/2020 from the home next door to us. He was abandoned by the owner who packed up and moved to Apopka. I hope somebody rescues this sweet boy. He is loving, sweet, housebroken and obedient. We did not have the room or we would have kept him ourselves. He also will sleep in a create if you like.

A Dunne

2020-05

Lt kinslow is amazing and cares. Terry the supervisor.... She's rude, didn't do her job at all, told me not to call again... Now my dog is dead from poison and was in possession of woman she went to home of but told me "no I didn't physically get down on knees and look for your dog". Thanks. Officer Spencer wouldn't go look either when I gave evidence my dog may be back in the home a day before she was poisoned

Elizabeth Boylan

2018-05

If I could give them zero stars it would be too many! Long story short loose dogs were in our screened patio trying to attack my daughter's cat. Saved 1 from drowning and both still tried coming after my husband. Called A.C. and the lady actually laughed!! Said she would call lake placid A.C.Guess who never received a call back or seen an A.C. truck? These are the SAME dogs I seen running around my daughter's bus stop 2 days ago!! Does a kid have to get hurt before it's no longer a funny situation? Disgusting!!!

Patrick C

2018-05

I would also give them ZERO STARS if I could. In addition I would EXCLUDE them from my TAX DOLLARS if at all possible. The animals of Highlands County would have a better chance living on the streets than having their well being rely on the incompetence and laziness of the employees at this facility. I have a VERY LONG DRAWN OUT STORY that goes on for a few years here about a STARVING, NEGLECTED horse named CHANCE, but I will save the reader from the heartache of the story. Just know this place is a TOTAL WASTE of taxpayer money and DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING THEY SAY over the phone as their main goal is to TELL YOU ANYTHING TO GET YOU OFF THE LINE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and not to take any action on the subject matter of the call. They will tell you they " are aware of the situation and are currently investigating it". THOSE ARE JUST WORDS to get you off the line. THEY DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! Seriously, this place does need to be INVESTIGATED as to whether or not they are serving their purpose to exist. I think not... no, I KNOW NOT!They are a collection of people who show up to get a paycheck and to do as little as possible for the health and welfare of the animals. They will spend more time trying to avoid the issues of the animals then it would take them to actually do something to make a difference. Without using the word TR*SH to describe the employees I will just say they are the lowest form of humanity you can find in Highlands County and that's probably a complement for them.

BYRON WELCH

2020-05

Saw a crippled cat and called with almost immediate response. The control officer couldn't reach the cat under the neighbors shed so set a trap and in about an hour the cat was caught. Another call place and case closed. Can't do no better than that.

Eaux Nein

2014-05

this place is by far the worse ive seen. i know they are among the smallest in the state but theres no reason for the dogs to be how they are. i adopted a dog saturday, he was covered in fleas. ( so far havent seen any ticks) he smelt sooo bad i bathed him at a gas station.. ( had a 4 hour drive home..) and ontop of it he isnt even fixed!! and it will cost me the same if not more to drive the 8 hrs in the day plus how long it takes for them to get it done than to just pay for it myself. and the Horses they have there are beyond under fed. and their grazing area is pathetic! the chickens look like demonic birds and how they have multiple small dogs in 1 cage is ridiculous.

Kay Hall

2018-05

These are committed people making a difference. This is a city shelter which means they have to accept all animals. If you need a pet consider adopting one. Remember...senior dogs make great companions!

barbara clark

2023-05

I will only adopt from them. I walked in and they took me to exactly what I was looking for. Can't thank them enough for what they do everyday for this community and the animals they protect from the idiots that have no clue. God bless 🙌

nelsonace2004

2015-05

Lovely people but need to take well care of the dogs, Thank you for my new PetI Love it.Need to be open on Sunday also, at least half day.

jewels brown

2023-05

The man in the office looked me in the face and said they put down the cats because they have no space when I went to bring in a kitten

Todd Baird

2021-05

These people really love their animals I took a foster dog in for a chip and had a great experience the short time I was there

Julianna Powers

2016-05

I've been calling them for more than a week and a half looking for my cat.all I get is a run around you need to call this place this and this one tells you you need to call this one and when you call that when they send you back here.and all you seem to get.is a recording it they will call you back which they will not do no matter how many times you leave your name and number.and when you finally do have someone on the phone she is a very rude rude rude screaming rude woman so come Monday morning I think I will report her.to make a complaint about her attitude on the phone.

Dennis Leadingham

2019-05

This facility has done nothing in resolving issues in my neighborhood, we have made several attempts to have something done about dogs that are being abused...it's ashame!