Holiday cheer and hope are in the air at Manatee County Animal Services (MCAS)! Every pet deserves a home for the holidays, and MCAS is presenting several options for how you can help our shelter animals this holiday season.
MCAS encourages our community to adopt, rather than shop, when searching to bring home a new pet this season. With over a hundred adoptable dogs and cats to choose from, it’s an ideal time to add a new member to your family. For all pets, adoption fees will be waived in lieu of a donation made to the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS). This promotion is effective from November 19 through January 2. Adoptions include spay/neuter, microchip, and rabies certificate -- a value of over $300 in savings. Manatee County residents are required to license their new pet for an additional $20.
The Palmetto Adoption Center and Shelter is located at 305 25th Street West in Palmetto, and Manatee County Cat Town is located at 216 6th Avenue East in Bradenton. Appointments are preferred. You can plan your visit by going to mymanatee.org/pets and filling out an adopter profile to reserve an appointment date.
Unfortunately, not every pet will find their forever family in time for the holidays. We believe every pet benefits from being in a home, even if, for only a few days. MCAS is bringing back holiday fostering, our short-term, holiday season fostering option. From November 19 – January 2, you can take home a shelter dog or cat for 2 – 5 days. For all foster participants, MCAS will provide all food and necessary supplies. For more information, please fill out the express application at http://bit.ly/petemerg.
Give a holiday gift to a shelter pet: the Stuff our Stockings Donation Drive will commence this Friday at both locations. People are encouraged to drop off donations of new toys and treats for the homeless animals at our shelter. MCAS is requesting donations of the following items:
- Small treats for dogs and cats (Milkbone, Pup-Peroni, Temptations Cat Treats, etc.)
- Fleece cat blankets
- Various cat toys
- Kong Classic products for dogs (large size)
- Peanut Butter (without zylitol)
For a full Amazon-Smile Wish List created by FoMCAS, visit https://bit.ly/smilefomcas. Donations can be shipped directly to the Palmetto shelter or dropped off at our locations.
MCAS will be closed to the public on the following dates: November 25, November 26, December 24, December 25, December 31 (closing at noon), and January 1.
MCAS is Manatee County’s only open-admission shelter facility, taking in an average of 7 animals per day in 2020. The mission of MCAS is to maintain public health and safety through the enforcement of laws and ordinances related to animals, issue and maintain records for annual pet licensing, to promote responsible pet ownership, promote adoptions, and reduce pet overpopulation. MCAS continues to operate the Pet Pantry Program offering free food and supplies to pet owners facing financial and housing hardships. The Rescue Transfer Program continues to expand with a current roster of 130 rescues and shelters as partners accepting 665 pets into their care last year. For the 2020 calendar year, MCAS had a 93% save rate.
Adoption donations will benefit FoMCAS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. They serve as a fundraising organization 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 heartworm 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 f for the play yards, enrichment items, and medical care. Later this month, FoMCAS will launch their Food for Ferals Fund, which supports the feeding, care, and purchase of supplies for community cats in Manatee County.