MANATEE COUNTY (WSNN) – At first, the pandemic found many of us adopting four-legged friends from humane societies and county animal services. Now, things have turned.
Manatee County Animal Services is reaching its capacity.
“We are filling up very quickly and as much as we’re trying to adopt out, we are still running out of room,” Outreach specialist, Hans Wohlgefahrt said.
What is happening? Wohlgefahrt cites one example:
“They had been evicted and they didn’t know where they were going to live, and they certainly couldn’t take care of their dogs,” Wohlgefahrt said.
He says they’re seeing more people surrender and abandon their pets due to financial issues from the pandemic. In some cases, Wohlgefahrt says these were the same animals that were adopted at the start of the lockdown.
“And it’s just an incredibly sad situation for people to feel like they have to give up their pet due to the financial hardships that are happening in our community,” Wohlgefahrt said.
He says since about mid-October they’ve received about 30 pets.
“It’s so distressing that there are so many dogs,” Manatee County Resident, Sally Welsh said.
Sadie, an 8-year-old Pitbull mix, has been in and out of the shelter from being a stray to being surrendered, to being fostered.
“She did everything right, so you don’t want her to end up in a place where she is not her happiest, and if you can do something to remedy that, then you should,” Welsh said.
Sally Welsh adopted her this week.
“It’s important because for dogs like Sadie, they provide unconditional love,” Welsh said. “Sadie has a filled a place in my life and in my heart that just requires a dog.”
If you’re in a position to help, the center is offering holiday fostering, a free pet food pantry, and waived adoption fees with a donation to Friends of Manatee County Animal Services
“All these things really go a long way to make sure our pets really have a happy holiday,” Wohlgefahrt said.
If you’re struggling and considering to surrender your pet, Manatee County Animal Services has resources to help you keep them. And if you want to adopt, it’s by appointment only. To learn more about how you can help, click here.