Manatee County Pet Adoption Event This Weekend

September 16 – Bradenton

Manatee County Animal Welfare is partnering with Best Friends Animal Society on a pet adoption campaign this weekend, encouraging people to choose to adopt, not buy, their next pet.  

The adoption event runs from Friday, September 16, through Sunday, September 18, at all Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW) locations. The Palmetto Adoption Center (located at 305 25th Street West in Palmetto) and Bishop Animal Shelter (at 5718 21^st Ave. W in Bradenton) are open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Cat Town Adoption Center (located at 216 6th Ave. E in Bradenton) will be open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday but will be closed on Sunday.

Adoption fees for all pets are waived. Adopters will receive a complimentary gift bag for their new pet (while supplies last), plus an entry to win a special prize basket, courtesy of the Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare. Adoptions include spay/neuter, microchip and rabies certificate (a value of over $300). Manatee County residents are required to license their new pet for an additional $20. 

“This National Adoption Weekend is an opportunity to bring home a forever friend,” said Manatee County Animal Welfare Division Chief Sarah Brown.

Recent data released by Best Friends showed that U.S. shelters were seeing an increase in animal intakes and a decrease in pet adoptions from shelters. This has steadily turned into a crisis in the animal welfare community, where many shelters are over capacity.

“There is a growing shelter crisis across the country, and the animal welfare community won’t just sit by and let innocent pets die,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “In fact, it’s quite the opposite. We are joining forces with our vast network of shelters and rescues across the country to host our third National Adoption Weekend since May to incentivize people to get out and adopt.

”That’s why Manatee County Animal Welfare is partnering with this effort, said Chief Brown. “Currently, our shelters are caring for over 330 pets, plus 175 pets in temporary foster homes. While we are hoping for many adoptions this weekend, we realize not everybody is ready to commit to adoption, so they can foster and still make a big difference in helping our pets. The foster process is quick and easy, and we provide all the supplies that are needed.”