ABOUT US

Saving Lives. Strengthening Community. Since 1979.

About SPCA Florida

SPCA Florida is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Lakeland, Florida. Founded in 1979, we are dedicated to improving the lives of pets and the people who love them—providing care, compassion, and hope to thousands of homeless animals every year.

As a No-Kill organization, we are committed to saving lives and only euthanize animals when suffering cannot be relieved or when an animal poses a proven danger to the community.

Open to the public, our state-of-the-art Veterinary Medical Center serves more than 20,000 patients annually, while our shelter, adoption, education, and outreach programs support thousands more across Central Florida.

SPCA stands for Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. SPCA Florida is an independent organization and is not affiliated with other SPCA-named groups.

SPCA Florida's mission is to eliminate animal suffering and to engage the entire community in the welfare of animals.

We achieve this by:

Promoting adoption of healthy pets
Preventing dog and cat overpopulation
Providing accessible veterinary care
Keeping pets with their families through intervention and support programs

Respect • Commitment • Integrity • Positive Leadership

Our Impact at a Glance

Lives Saved & Spay & Neuter Surgeries

2025: 4,398 lives saved | 8,693 spay/neuter surgeries

2024: 4,120 lives saved | 12,642 spay/neuter surgeries

2023: 3,488 lives saved | 8,071 spay/neuter surgeries

2022: 3,685 lives saved | 6,831 spay/neuter surgeries

2021: 4,282 lives saved | 4,523 spay/neuter surgeries

2020: 3,958 lives saved | 4,188 spay/neuter surgeries

2019: 4,394 lives saved | 10,082 spay/neuter surgeries

2018: 3,777 lives saved | 6,339 spay/neuter surgeries

Annual Reports

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SPCA Florida, A FLORIDA-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH2174), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE HERE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

Board of Directors

SPCA Florida's Nominating Committee considers candidates for its Board of Directors on a rolling basis. Candidates with expertise in business, finance and accounting, marketing, public relations, engineering and construction, and fundraising are being sought to help shape and guide the future development of SPCA Florida.

Karen Mitchell

President

Karen’s animal welfare journey began over 30 years ago in Southeastern Wisconsin where she volunteered with the Wisconsin Humane Society three nights a week. After relocating to Lakeland, Florida, Karen connected with SPCA Florida where she has served in all capacities including sanitation, surgical technician and interim Executive Director. She is currently serving a two-year term as Chairman of the Board. Karen resides in Lakeland with her husband James, son, cats “Bella” and “Kitten” and her yorkie, “Yoshi”.

Marion Smith

Vice President

Marion was a former Partner of B.M. Smith Chrysler Plymouth, Dodge, Jeep until 2021. She then became President at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce where she retired after 15 years of leadership. She is passionate about saving the lives of animals and serves on SPCA Florida’s Board of Directors as Vice President.
Marion currently serves on the Executive Committee for Plant City Photo Archives, as Chairman on the Plant City Library Foundation, as Financial Secretary at First United Methodist Church and as President of the Aston Woods Homeowners Association. Marion resides in Plant City with her family of cats.

Chris Warnock

Treasurer

Chris has spent over 10 years in public accounting and the financial services industry. His primary focus is assisting clients with state and local taxation, including compliance, controversy resolution, and financial reporting. He’s a member of the Florida Bar and licensed by the State of Florida as a Certified Public Accountant.
Chris and has two dogs. Minnie, an 11-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix, and Freckles, a 9-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix. Over the years he has fostered many dogs looking for their forever homes.

Stacy Walsh

Secretary

A lifelong resident of Central Florida, Stacy has spent over two decades working as a mission-driven community advocate and fundraiser in nonprofit development and marketing. Stacy serves as the Vice President of Resource Development at United Way of Central Florida, where she leads the United Way Worldwide’s Number 1 Global Corporate Leader campaign, Publix Super Markets, Inc. As a seasoned non-profit professional, Stacy has a proven track record in leading successful fundraising campaigns throughout her career.
Stacy has a passion for helping others and cultivating relationships in the community. Upon graduating from Florida Southern College, she knew that she wanted to dedicate her life to community initiatives and outreach, specifically in animal welfare. She has served on a number of local boards, including SPCA Florida. She is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland (Class XXXIV) and Leadership Polk (Class XIII). In her spare time, Stacy enjoys traveling, photography, cheering on the Denver Broncos, and spending time with her husband Ryan.

Dawn Diaz

Executive Board Member

Dawn has supported SPCA Florida for nearly 10 years, first as a volunteer and now as a member of the Board of Directors. She focuses on sponsorships and donors for the organization’s two largest fundraisers. Dawn has 20 years of B2B sales, networking, community involvement experience, and building relationships with civic communities. Dawn is a Member of Women in Business and owner of her own in-home animal sitting service. Dawn and her husband Dennis have rescued dogs from SPCA Florida.

Katrina Barcellona

Board Member

Katrina is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and the in the Federal Middle District of Florida. She has spent the last 23 years as a criminal defense trial attorney for the Public Defender of the Tenth Judicial Circuit in Bartow, Florida. Katrina has a passion for indigent defense and always treats her clients with dignity and respect which has gained her a superior reputation amongst her colleagues and clients. Her long history working in the Tenth Circuit has given her the unique opportunity to work with all members of the current judiciary, many local law enforcement personnel, the local Bar, and the public.
Katrina has been a member of the Board since 2020. She brought with her prior experience in non-profit organizations including leadership roles in a Lakeland based Boy Scout Pack and Troop, and the Polk Association for Women Lawyers. She is using her fundraising skills, honed while volunteering at a local private school, to chair the 2023 Auction for Animals, SPCA Florida’s largest fundraiser. She enjoys jumping in and lending a hand whenever one is needed, wherever it is needed.
Katrina resides in Lakeland with her husband Greg. They have one son and Katrina says their home is filled with love provided by the family’s two rescue cats, Cleo and Petey.

Katie Norvell

Board Member

Katie’s career spanned 36 years as an International and Domestic Flight Attendant for two major airlines where she developed skillsets of teamwork, conflict resolution, nurse, psychologist, and the most important asset, thinking on your feet and solving problems.
In 2013, she joined the board of Silver Wings International as Vice President. This International Social Organization consists of over 1,000 members of current or retired Flight Attendants and meets each year for a convention. Katie currently resides in Sarasota, FL with her family of 4 cats. Misty May and Abigail are rescue girls. ZANE and Jamison are both 8-year-old Abyssinians.

Dr. Linda Silver

Board Member

Linda is a senior HR/OE professional with over 30 years’ experience in organizational effectiveness, HR management, business partnering, executive coaching, and management development. Her expertise includes talent management, strategic planning, organizational redesign and process improvement.
Linda has a great love of animals, especially cats. She served on the advisory Board at Cat Depot in Sarasota, FL and on the Board of St. Vincent Animal Rescue in Venice, FL. While at Cat Depot she started a program for senior cats called SOS (Save our Seniors) which boosted the adoption rate of senior cats. At SPCA Florida, she is sponsoring the adoption of senior cats and has sponsored/named a cattery called Linda’s Lovelies. Linda resides in Lakewood Ranch, FL with her kitty Lilli Ann.

Bob Sullivan

Board Member

Bob Sullivan has an expansive career in Financial Services that spans over three decades and includes a comprehensive knowledge of products and services. He joined the SPCA Florida Board of Directors to help the dogs, cats, and people of his community. In his leisure, Bob is engaged in any number of activities ranging from boating, fishing, and golfing to fundraising. Bob uses his love of golf to give back to his community as a member of the Copperhead Charities Board for the upcoming Valspar PGA Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Tarpon Springs, FL. A native of Rye, New York, Bob came to Florida over forty years ago and lives with his family in Clearwater. He graduated from the University of Florida with a major in Finance with a B.S. in Business Administration and was a Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity member. Additionally, he holds the CIMC® and CIMA® designations. Bob Sullivan holds the Series 7, 63, and 65 registrations with LPL Financial. He also holds his life, health, and variable annuities insurance licenses.

Spay Neuter Clinic Ribbon Cutting by May.jpg.avif

A Legacy of Compassion

SPCA Florida was founded in Lakeland, Florida in 1979 by Mary Stephens, Evelyn Meierkord, and Jennifer Lugenbeel.

They saw an enormous need for an animal welfare organization in their community, and it didn't take long before attorney Rick Stephens drafted the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The three founders recruited SPCA Florida's first Board of Directors and served as its first officers.

From 1980 to 1991, volunteers held off-site adoptions every Saturday at Publix in Lake Miriam Plaza on South Florida Avenue. The group raised funds for outreach and a foster care program through a craft group's Christmas sales and an annual SPCA Flea Fair. By 1988 the Flea Fair had grown into the Treasure Chest Thrift Shop in downtown Lakeland which remained open until 1999.

The number of unwanted animals in the community outgrew the foster system. A shelter was needed and a building committee spent ten years seeking a property donation. The hard work paid off in 1990 when 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 land and build SPCA Florida's shelter in 1991.

Having a place to keep cats and dogs wasn't enough; the overpopulation problem must be remedied, and a low-cost spay/neuter clinic was built in 2001, thanks to a grant from the city of Lakeland, county funding, and widespread support from private donors. The clinic expanded to wellness services in 2003.

Today, SPCA Florida's shelter takes in over 6,000 pets annually and the clinic has been expanded to a full-service medical center. Thanks to a contribution of eight acres of adjoining property by Reva McClurg, SPCA Florida will continue to expand its Campus of Kindness and its community impact.

What We Do

Adoption

Helping pets find loving homes is at the heart of our mission. Even during challenging times, thousands of cats and dogs find their forever families each year through SPCA Florida.

Volunteers

Our volunteers are the heart of our organization. From daily animal care to events and outreach, their dedication makes our lifesaving work possible.

Foster Care

Foster families save lives by caring for animals who need extra time or medical attention. Their love and commitment give vulnerable pets a chance to heal and thrive.

Compassion Funds

Through donor support, we provide financial assistance for families facing veterinary emergencies—helping keep pets with the people who love them. Since 2018, over 365 pets have received nearly $100,000 in lifesaving care.

Transport to Safety

When shelters are full, we partner with no-kill organizations nationwide to move animals to areas where they are more likely to be adopted—saving hundreds of lives each year.

Spay & Neuter

Ending pet overpopulation is essential to saving lives. Our spay and neuter program is one of the most critical tools in creating a humane, no-kill community.