With 97 adoptable dogs available at the Palmetto Adoption Center, Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW) is reaching a critical population level for dogs. Since the new year, the shelter has accepted an average of 300 pets per month. To help encourage more pet adoptions, MCAW is waiving all adoption fees through Sunday, April 30. During this challenging time, MCAW is asking citizens to help by fostering dogs. They are also seeking help from local shelters and rescues to transfer adoptable dogs into their care. Dog fosters are urgently needed. A highly-populated shelter creates a stressful environment for the dogs at the Palmetto Adoption Center. Fostering benefits pets in a variety of ways: to decompress and relax, to socialize with people and other pets and to learn how to live in a home. Time away from the shelter allows a pet's true personality to shine, giving the staff better information to help find them a forever home. Most importantly, fostering also opens up kennels in the shelter, allowing MCAW to help more incoming homeless pets. MCAW provides fosters all the supplies and needed training. To sign-up to become a dog foster, go to mymanatee.org/fosteradog. For questions or to learn more about the program, please email lauren.tryon@mymanatee.org or call 941-742-5933, ext. 8314. Pet 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. The Palmetto Adoption Center and Shelter is located at 305 25th Street West in Palmetto. MCAW can be reached at 941-742-5933. 

To learn more click here.