Manatee County Animal Services Offers Fee-Waived Adoptions, Holiday Fostering & “Stuff Our Stockings” Donation Drive This December
Holiday cheer and hope are in the air at Manatee County Animal Services (MCAS) this December! Because every animal deserves a loving family for the holidays, MCAS is presenting several options for people wanting to help our shelter animals this holiday season.
For all pets, adoption fees will be waived in lieu of a donation made to the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS). With hundreds of adoptable dogs and cats to choose from, it’s an ideal time to add a new member to your family. This promotion is effective through December 31.
All cat and dog adoptions include spay/neuter, microchip and rabies certificate. Manatee County residents are required to license their new pet for an additional $20. The special promotion will be held at the MCAS located at 305 25th Street West in Palmetto and Manatee County Cat Town, 216 6th Ave E in Bradenton. Please go to our website, www.mymanatee.org/pets, to view all adoptable pets and for hours and directions.
MCAS will be closed to the public on December 24 – 25.
Unfortunately, not every pet will find their forever family this holiday. We believe every pet benefits from being in a home, even if, for only a few days; plus, no one should spend the holidays alone. MCAS is offering The Foster Express, a short-term, holiday fostering program. Through January 10, you can take home a shelter dog or cat for 2 – 5 days. MCAS is participating in The Foster Express Challenge, which was designed by Maddie’s Fund, a national animal welfare organization, to help shelters get more dogs and cats out of the shelter during the hectic holiday season, and get them more exposure, as well as attract new foster caregivers. For all foster participants, MCAS will provide all food and necessary supplies. For more information, please call 941-742-5933 ext. 8314.
The “Stuff our Stockings” Donation Drive will be in the lobby of both locations. People are encouraged to drop off donations of new toys and treats for the homeless animals of Manatee County. MCAS is requesting donations of the following items:
- Training treats (small treats)
- Canned kitten food
- Various cat toys
- Slip-lead leashes (8 ft)
- Nylabone products for dogs (medium to large size)
- Kong Classic products for dogs (large size)
Important note: For attached photos, please credit Stacy White Photography. For additional photos, visit https://www.dropbox.com/sh/so4kaxt6xqdjxtf/AAAFzMEUF4Rqv0ChU82Vurh4a?dl=0
MCAS is Manatee County’s only open-admission shelter facility, taking in an average of 15 animals per day in 2018. The mission of MCAS is to maintain public health and safety through the enforcement of laws and ordinances related to animals, to promote responsible pet ownership, promote adoptions, and reduce pet overpopulation. In October, MCAS had a 98% save rate.
Adoption donations will benefit Friends of Manatee County Animal Services. FoMCAS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as a fundraising arm whose mission is to work hand in hand with Manatee County Animal Services to enrich the lives of the shelter animals by raising funds to provide additional resources, medical care and heart worm treatment. The funds raised by FoMCAS go directly to help the shelter animals and to help with initiatives at the shelter such as dog beds, turf for the play yards, enrichment items, and medical care.
For additional information, contact Hans Wohlgefahrt, MCAS Outreach and Events Specialist, at [email protected] or 941-742-5933 ext. 8307 or visit mymanatee.org/pets
For information about Friends of Manatee County Animal Services, please contact Caryn Hodge at [email protected] or 941-713-3105 or visit www.fomcas.org.