Fall in Love at Manatee County Animal Services

Manatee County Animal Services (MCAS) has reached critical capacity with 163 dogs and 130 cats in their care. MCAS is Manatee County’s only open-admission shelter facility, taking in an average of 15 animals per day due to lost pets, kitten season, confiscation cases and owner surrenders.

When a major regional weather event occurs, such as Hurricane Michael, MCAS sees a reduction in their ability to transfer dogs to other rescues throughout the state. This results in “seasonal shelter overcrowding, which seems to be a pattern that we’ve seen for a few years now,” states Sarah Brown, Division Chief of MCAS.

Currently, MCAS is promoting the “Fall in Love” Campaign with adoption fees reduced to $40 for dogs and $20 for cats through Wednesday, October 31. Several other savings incentives are being offered:

• Any pet that has been at the shelter for 60 days or more has waived adoption fees.
• Fee-waived adoptions for military, first responders and veterans (through December 31)
• Seniors for Seniors Discount: Senior adopters (ages 55+) only pay $10 adoption fees for pets seven years and older (through December 31)

 

For National Pit Bull Awareness Day on Saturday, October 27, MCAS is partnering with Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS) to offer free pet product giveaways to every adopter from October 22 – 27. Through a week-long social media campaign culminating on the day of the event, MCAS and FoMCAS hope to bring awareness and education about Bully Breeds, which comprise a large portion of the MCAS shelter population.

 

All adoptions include spay/neuter, microchip and rabies certificate. Manatee County residents are required to license their new pet for an additional $15. Adoptable pets can be viewed at mymanatee.org/pets

The Palmetto Adoption Center and Shelter, located at 305 25th Street West in Palmetto, is open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Downtown Cat Adoption Center, located at 1002 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205, is open Tuesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Animal Services can be reached at 941-742-5933.

 

For information about Manatee County Animal Services, please contact Hans Wohlgefahrt at[email protected] or 941-742-5933 ext. 8307 or visit www.mymanatee.org/pets.