Adopt-A-Palooza is May 13

Adopt-A-Palooza is May 13
Posted on 04/28/2023
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (April 28, 2023) - The 7th Annual Adopt-A-Palooza will be held on Saturday, May 13, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Boulevard in Palmetto. Hours are 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission and parking are FREE.

Adopt-A-Palooza is the largest one-day pet adoption and expo-style event in Manatee County, featuring over 100 adoptable pets from Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW), local shelters and animal rescues—all under one roof! Participating adoption organizations include the Humane Society of Manatee County, Canine Castaways, Cat Depot, Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch, Barking Out Loud Rescue, Donte’s Den, Humane Society of Sarasota County, Skyway Dachshund Rescue and Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County.

The family-friendly event will include a marketplace with over 40 retail vendors selling a variety of products and services, including vendors for pet owners. The proceeds from the event will benefit Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS)—the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as a fundraising arm and whose mission it is to work hand in hand with Manatee County Animal Welfare to enrich the lives of the shelter animals by raising funds to provide additional resources and medical care.

For pets adopted from MCAW, all adoption fees will be waived in lieu of a donation made to FoMCAS which will provide all dog adopters complimentary leashes and collars from Max & Neo Dog Gear (while supplies last). Manatee County residents are required to license their new pet for an additional $20 tag fee. All pets will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

On the day of the event, the Palmetto Adoption Center, located at 305 25th Street West in Palmetto, will be closed to the public. The Cat Town Adoption Center, located at 216 6th Avenue East in Bradenton, will remain open. Waived adoption fees apply to all cats at the Cat Town Adoption Center. The Bishop Animal Shelter (for lost and found pets, select adoptions), located at 5718 21st Avenue West in Bradenton, will be open during normal business hours. For all locations, appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be accommodated when available. Animal Welfare can be reached at 941-742-5933.

For the latest information about Adopt-A-Palooza, visit mymanatee.org/aap.

MCAW is Manatee County’s only open-admission shelter facility, taking in an average of 11 animals per day in 2022. For the 2021-22 fiscal year, MCAW had a 94% save rate. There are three locations: Palmetto Adoption Center (pet adoptions), Cat Town Adoption Center (cat adoptions) and Bishop Animal Shelter (lost and found pets). MCAW continues to operate the Pet Pantry Program which offers free food and supplies to pet owners facing financial and housing hardships.