A rich history of helping animals…

SPCA Florida was organized in Lakeland, Florida in 1979 by Mary Stephens, Evelyn Meierkord and Jennifer Lugenbeel who realized the enormous need for an animal welfare organization in their community.

From 1980 to 1991, volunteers held off site adoptions every Saturday at the Publix in Lake Miriam Plaza on South Florida Avenue.

SPCA members were recruited and foster animals found forever homes. Funds for the outreaches and for the foster care program were raised through a crafts group’s Christmas sales and an annual SPCA Flea Fair. By 1988, the Flea Fair grew into the Treasure Chest Thrift Shop in downtown Lakeland which eventually closed in 1999.

A Building Committee spent 10 years seeking a property donation, the hard work finally paid off in 1990. SPCA member Betty Thornton appealed to Dr. and Mrs. E.L. Kinsinger who left a bequest in excess of $200,000. The money was used to purchase the land on which the SPCA shelter was built in 1991.

On May 8, 2001, through a grant from the City of Lakeland, county funding and widespread support from private donors, more than $500,000 was raised to build and equip the low cost spay/neuter clinic. In 2003, the spay/neuter clinic expanded to include wellness services for animals in need of vaccinations and other healthcare. 

On May 8, 2001, through a grant from the City of Lakeland, county funding and widespread support from private donors, more than $500,000 was raised to build and equip the low cost spay/neuter clinic. In 2003, the spay/neuter clinic expanded to include wellness services for animals in need of vaccinations and other healthcare.  In October 2012 a 4,400 square foot medical expansion was completed. The state-of-the-art Reva McClurg Medical Center now features seven exam rooms with paperless records, an extensive in-house laboratory for instant test results, cutting edge pharmacy dispenser, radiology and ultrasound equipment, and a hyperbaric oxygen therapy unit. SPCA Florida has seven licensed veterinarians who serve anywhere from 200 to 300 patients a day.

In October 2012 a 4,400 square foot medical expansion was completed. The state-of-the-art Reva McClurg Medical Center now features seven exam rooms with paperless records, an extensive in-house laboratory for instant test results, cutting edge pharmacy dispenser, radiology and ultrasound equipment, and a hyperbaric oxygen therapy unit. SPCA Florida has seven licensed veterinarians who serve anywhere from 200 to 300 patients a day.

Now, the SPCA adoption center takes in over 6,000 animals annually and features animal welfare’s best practices including Open Paw, a program to help pets become more adoptable through hands-on interactions and Safety Net Retention, which provides alternatives for dog and cat relinquishment – keeping animals who have homes from entering the already overburdened shelter and helping those newly adopted animals remain in their adoptive homes.

SPCA Florida RebrandingFor many years the SPCA was referred to as “Lakeland SPCA” or the “SPCA of Polk County,” and even at times the “ASPCA,” which is a humane organization based in New York City. In April 2012 SPCA, Inc. began doing business as (d/b/a) SPCA Florida with the goal of expanding its reach to animals in need throughout the state. SPCA Florida’s state-wide efforts began in November 2013 when it stepped up to help Hillsborough County Animal Services with an emergency shelter.

Our reach continues to build through spay/neuter service partnerships with local Trap-Neuter-Vaccine-Return (TNVR) groups in neighboring counties and assistance with hoarding cases in Hernando, Lee, Manatee, and Polk Counties.

SPCA Florida Mission StatementSPCA Florida exists to eliminate animal suffering and to engage the entire community in the welfare and well-being of animals.

 We accomplish this by advancing model programs to promote the adoption of healthy animals, prevent dog and cat overpopulation, provide veterinary medical services for animals in the community and keep animals in homes through relinquishment intervention strategies.