🐾 Pet Resources for Greater Lakeland
Welcome to Lakeland's Complete Pet Resource Guide
Whether you're a current resident or planning to relocate to Central Florida, this comprehensive guide provides essential information on local animal shelters, veterinary care, dog parks, and pet services. We're committed to helping you and your furry family members feel right at home in Lakeland.
🚨 Emergency & Urgent Care Veterinary Services
Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic
Type:
24/7 Emergency Veterinary Hospital
Address:
3609 US Highway 98 South, Lakeland, FL 33803
Phone:
(863) 665-3199
Hours:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website:
pvecvets.com
Services:
Emergency surgeries, critical care, advanced diagnostics, imaging, ICU care
VETS ER (Veterinary Emergency Triage & Surgery)
Type:
24/7 Emergency & ICU Care
Location:
North Lakeland (just off I-4)
Website:
vetserlakeland.com
Services:
Emergency triage, diagnostics, surgery, ICU care, oxygen therapy
Note:
Works collaboratively with referring veterinarians for continued care
UrgentVet Lakeland
Type:
Urgent Care (Non-Life Threatening)
Address:
3550 Harden Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803
Hours:
Mon-Fri: 3pm-11pm | Sat-Sun: 10am-8pm | All Holidays: 12pm-8pm
Website:
urgentvet.com/location/lakeland-fl
Services:
Same-day walk-ins, after-hours care, digital X-ray, ultrasound, in-house lab. Open 365 days/year.
Note:
Alternative to 24-hour emergency hospitals for non-life-threatening conditions
Florida Pets and Vets Lakeland
Type:
24-Hour Emergency Veterinary Clinic
Website:
floridapetsandvets.com
Services:
Emergency diagnostics, treatment, surgical care, and medical aid
⭐ Top-Rated Veterinary Clinics in Lakeland
Based on highest number of reviews and ratings from local pet owners:
Lakeland Veterinary Hospital & Wellness Center
Veterinarian:
Dr. Dawn Morgan-Winter
Website:
weluvyourpet.com
Services:
Wellness care, vaccinations, laboratory testing, diagnostic testing, surgical care, dental care, boarding, day care, grooming
Reviews:
Highly praised for compassionate care, knowledgeable staff, and treating pets like family
Pet Care on Highland
Veterinarian:
Dr. Timothy Lockhart
Website:
petcareonhighland.com
Hours:
Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri: 8am-5pm | Wed: 8am-12pm | Every other Sat: 8am-12pm
Specialty:
Veterinary ultrasound and cardiology
Reviews:
Known for respectful treatment, truly caring for animals, and providing comprehensive options for pet owners
Lakeland Animal Clinic
Veterinarian:
Dr. Kyle and team
Phone:
(863) 688-3338
Website:
lacvets.com
Experience:
Over 40 years serving the Lakeland community
Services:
Preventative care for dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Same-day appointments available.
Reviews:
Praised for professional service, kind staff, up-to-date technology, and treating clients like family
🏠 Animal Shelters & Adoption Centers
SPCA Florida No-Kill
Address:
5850 Brannen Road South, Lakeland, FL 33813
Phone:
(863) 646-7722
Website:
spcaflorida.org
Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am-6pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-5pm
Services:
Adoption, affordable veterinary clinic, spay/neuter programs, pet food assistance, disaster response (Florida SARC)
About:
Established 1979. Cares for 6,000+ animals annually. The leading non-profit organization building humane communities across Florida.
Humane Society of Polk County No-Kill
Address:
3195 Dundee Road, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Main Phone:
(863) 324-5227
SNIP Phone:
(863) 514-1965
Website:
humanesocietyofpolkcounty.org
Hours:
Tue-Fri: 10:30am-6pm | Sat: 10:30am-4pm | Closed Sun-Mon
Services:
Adoption, Spay/Neuter/Inoculate Polk (SNIP) program, low-cost vaccinations, wellness appointments. Performs 6,000+ spay/neuter surgeries annually.
About:
Established 1972. First no-kill shelter in Polk County serving over 1,100 animals annually.
Polk County Animal Control Public Shelter
Address:
7115 de Castro Road, Winter Haven, FL 33880
Phone:
(863) 577-1762
Toll Free:
1-888-275-8941
Website:
polksheriff.org/animal-services
Kennel Hours:
Mon-Sat: 10am-4pm | Closed Sundays & major holidays
Admin Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm (for tag sales, drop-offs, business matters)
Services:
Animal adoption, animal control enforcement, rabies tags, stray animal pickup, quarantine services
Adoption Fees:
Dogs (35+ lbs): $40 | Dogs (under 35 lbs): $70 | Cats: $40 | Seniors (55+): $30
Note:
Located just off Winter Lake Road exit of the Polk Parkway (Exit 14). Enforces county ordinances and state dangerous dog statutes.
🐕 Local Rescue Organizations
Until Such Time (Florida Dog Sanctuary)
Location:
Lakeland, FL
Website:
untilsuchtime.org
Focus:
Behaviorally and/or medically complex dogs needing re-homing
Services:
Behavioral training, physical conditioning, hands-on dog bonding techniques, sanctuary care
Polk County Bully Project
Website:
polkcountybullyproject.org
Focus:
Pit Bull and Bully breed rescue
Services:
Foster-based rescue, education about breed discrimination, spay/neuter assistance
Note:
Works closely with Animal Control to save rescue-only Pit Bulls in Polk County
Additional Local Rescues: Raining Cats and Dogs Shelter, Harmony Haven Pet Rescue, Roses Ranch and Rescue, Bell's Promise, George and Gracie's Cat Rescue, and many other breed-specific and specialty rescues serve the greater Lakeland area.
🌳 Dog Parks in Greater Lakeland
All City of Lakeland dog parks are open dawn to dusk (Tuesdays open at 9am for maintenance) and feature separate areas for large and small dogs:
Lake Crago Dog Park
Address:
525 Lake Crago Drive, Lakeland, FL
Location:
North Lakeland, just south of I-4
Features:
Fenced areas for large and small dogs, double-gated entry, benches, shade, restrooms for humans
Note:
Turn from Lakeland Hills Blvd onto Lake Crago Drive (south of Hollis Cancer Center)
Dog Leg Woods
Location:
Off Cleveland Heights Boulevard on the SW corner of Cleveland Heights Golf Course
Size:
3 acres
Features:
Separate areas for small and large dogs, well-shaded, plenty of space
Cook Park Dog Park (Douglas Cook Dog Park)
Location:
North Lakeland (near shopping centers on US Highway 98 North)
Size:
18-acre community park
Features:
Fenced dog park with small and large dog sections, multi-purpose field, walking path, basketball court, playground
On Dog Time Dog Park
Location:
Downtown Lakeland
Size:
Over 1.18 acres
Opened:
November 2024 (Lakeland's newest dog park)
Features:
Open during daylight hours daily
Nearby Parks: Simmers-Young Park (Winter Haven), Auburndale Dog Park, City of Bartow Dog Park, DiOGi Park at Loyce E. Harpe Park (Mulberry), and other regional dog parks serve the greater Polk County area.
📋 Additional Pet Resources
Low-Cost Spay/Neuter & Vaccination Services
SPCA Florida Veterinary Clinic
Phone:
(863) 646-7722
Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7:30am-4pm
Services:
Affordable spay/neuter, vaccinations, wellness care for over 4,500 clients monthly
TLC PetSnip Inc.
Phone:
(863) 686-7647
Address:
1701 E Gary Rd Lakeland, FL 33801
Hours:
Mon-Fri:
7am-4pm
Website:
tlcpetsnip.org
Services:
Affordable
spay/neuter, vaccinations, wellness care
SNIP (Spay, Neuter, Inoculate Polk) - Humane Society of Polk County
Phone:
(863) 514-1965
Address:
3195 Dundee Road, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Services:
Affordable spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, wellness appointments. Cat neuters: $95, Cat spays: $105
Pet Licensing & Microchipping
Polk County Pet Licensing: All dogs and cats 4 months and older must have a rabies vaccination and valid Polk County license tag. Polk County uses a unique stainless steel lifetime tag that is renewed annually. Pets with microchips don't need to wear their tag as long as they're chipped.
Contact: Polk County Animal Control - (863) 577-1762
Pet Food Assistance
SPCA Florida Pet Food Assistance Program: Provides free pet food for families in need.
Contact: (863) 646-7722 ext 4612 or email [email protected]
Website: spcaflorida.org/food-assistance
Dog-Friendly Places in Lakeland
Restaurants & Breweries: Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant, Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille, The Joinery, Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro, LoveBird – Almost Famous Chicken, Grove Roots Brewing Co. (Winter Haven - dogs welcome inside and outside)
Parks & Trails: Most Polk County parks allow leashed dogs (except Circle B Bar Reserve). Bok Tower Gardens welcomes leashed, well-behaved dogs ($10 entry fee for dogs).
Important Phone Numbers
Animal Control (Stray/Dangerous Animals)
After-Hours Animal Emergency
Report Animal Bite (DOH-Polk)
Lost & Found Pets
Check with local shelters, post on social media groups like "Lost and Found Pets of Polk County"
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