Fourth of July weekend is known in the animal services community as the busiest time of the year.
Every year hundreds if not thousands of animals run away from home out of fear of the loud sound of fireworks. Many of those dogs end up at animal shelters.
Manatee County is no exception to that pattern, with nearly 20 runaway dogs arriving in the days after the Fourth of July. The problem for Manatee County is that their shelter was already well over capacity, in part because of an ongoing investigation in which nearly 50 dogs were seized.
That brings their census dog count to 174 when the facility's capacity is usually just 80. This time of year is also usually a busy time for cat breeding as well. All this has led the Manatee County Animal Services to get creative -- like keeping crates of dogs in their conference room, and increasing the number of animals sent to foster homes -- in hopes of keeping the facility a no-kill shelter.
If you want to learn more about how to adopt, or just to donate food or toys, to Manatee County's Animal Services, click HERE.
Christmas in July is MCAS’s first annual, month-long adoption & enrichment drive. Promotions include:
· Every Friday in July, adoption fees are reduced to only $10, plus $15 tag license for Manatee County residents. Adoption fees include spay/neuter surgery, microchip and vaccinations.
· KONG® dog toy drive – help us give every animal in our facility a NEW toy this month.
· On Monday, July 25th, please donate unopened products to restock our pet food pantry to help with our pet retention and food assistance program.
Christmas in July is held in an effort to encourage the community to visit MCAS and to ease typical summer overcrowding in the shelter. Each summer, hundreds of homeless pets find their way to MCAS. In the “holiday” spirit of charity and love, this event is a prime opportunity to give a deserving homeless pet a loving new home and enrich the lives of the underserved and homeless animals of Manatee County.
The Manatee County Animal Services is also holding their second annual Adopt-A-Palooza on Aug. 6 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd. in Palmetto. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"This year’s Adopt-A-Palooza is a one-stop adopt and shop event for residents of Manatee County and surrounding areas. It’s all the riches of our community resources under one roof. It’s a celebration of finding your new best friend and learning how to be a responsible pet owner,” Manatee County Animal Services Division Chief Sarah Brown said.
Adopt-A-Palooza is a pet adoption and expo-style event, designed to bring the community together as Manatee works towards “Destination No Kill." Ten local rescue and animal welfare organizations will be joining forces with MCAS for the largest adoption event in Manatee County.
Admission and parking are free and there will be over 100 adoptable puppies, dogs, cats and kittens to choose from. All pets will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. Manatee County pet license tags will be for sale and specialty retailers will offer products and services.
