PALMETTO, Fla. (SNN TV) — Manatee County waived adoption fees at its shelters starting today.
“We’re asking for the community’s help,” said Hans Wohlgefahrt, the Outreach and Event Specialist for Manatee County Animal Welfare.
There are 107 adoptable dogs at the Palmetto Adoption Center and 50 at Bishop Animal Shelter. With only so much space, Manatee County is waiving all adoption fees to help get more animals adopted, which would allow them to take in more strays.
“We have so many dogs here, and they are all individually wonderful, so we want people to come meet them,” Wohlgefahrt said.
While the need is most urgent for dogs, the waived adoption fee applies to all animals.
“So that’s dogs, cats, rabbits, we have a couple of those right now,” Wohlgefahrt said with a laugh.
If you can’t adopt right now, Manatee County Animal Welfare says it’s looking for foster parents. While long-term fostering helps the most, fostering even one to three days can help tremendously to free up the pet population in the shelters. All necessary supplies are also given to you.
If none of these are options, Manatee County’s shelters could use donations.
“We’re always in the need of peanut butter, nylabones, and Kongs,” explained Wohlgefahrt. “When you have this many animals, we go through supplies very quickly.”
But if you’ve been itching to adopt for a while, now is the perfect time.
“These dogs are amazing. Maybe you’ll find a new friend and in turn you’ll be helping us out right now,” said Wohlgefahrt.
The Palmetto Animal Shelter is open Monday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Bishop Animal Shelter hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday.
