Manatee County Animal Services aims to Clear the Shelter & will offer free pet food next week
MCAS will announce free pet food dates, location on Facebook Monday at 5 p.m.
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (March 27, 2020) – Manatee County foster families have stepped up to help Animal Services (MCAS) nearly empty the kennel over the past week. Manatee County residents can help the shelter maintain its record low numbers in coming days.
Local families have adopted all cats and fewer than 40 dogs are in need of a fur-ever home thanks to an influx of foster families helping during the COVID-19 response. MCAS Chief Sarah Brown said there's been an outpouring of local residents wanting to help during a time when the shelter is typically overflowing with animals. Brown pointed out that adopting or fostering a pet is also a good way to avoid the blues when working from home or self isolating.
"MCAS is overwhelmed by the support of the community during this time," said Chief Brown. “So many caring individuals, opening their homes to help a pet in need. We will continue to take foster and adoptions by appointment only. We’re waiving adoption fees and providing food and supplies to our fosters, all in an effort to see more pets find homes."
MCAS to offer free pet food next week
The good news doesn't end there. On Monday MCAS will announce it is providing free dog and cat food to Manatee County residents while supplies last. The hours and location of the pet food giveaway are a way help local pet owners save money during tough times. The hours, location and other details of the pet food giveaway will be announced on MCAS's Facebook page at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 30.
"MCAS has been trying to think of ways to help keep people and pets together," Chief Brown said. "Thanks to our friends at the Florida State Animal Response Coalition, Chewy.com and the Greater Good, we received a large donation of pet food and supplies. We can now help lessen the burden for pet owners, struggling to make ends meet. The best place for a pet is in a home and we want to do whatever we can to assist during these challenging times."
Miscellaneous updates
- Department of Health staff was scheduled to collect specimens from another 50 potential COVID-19 patients during the second day of collections at the Bradenton Area Convention Center today. Saturday and Sunday 100 more patients with prescriptions will have collection appointments. View and download images and video from the collection site here.
- Tonight, March 27 at 11:59 p.m., Lake Manatee Boat Ramp will be temporarily closed. At the same time, Jiggs Landing Boat Ramp will be temporarily closed to motorized launch. Kayaks and canoes can continue to use the launch. The Jiggs Landing concessionaire will reduce daily hours beginning today 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Manatee County strongly encourages those with medical conditions and those over the age of 65 take extra precautions to prevent infection of COVID-19 by staying at home and limiting social gatherings to 10 people or less. Manatee County residents should work remotely as recommended by Governor DeSantis's Executive Order 20-83 and follow the CDC and DOH guidelines for frequent hand washing.
View the latest on Manatee County's community-wide effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by visiting www.mymanatee.org/COVID-19 or text ManateeReady to 888-777.
You can also follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter @ManateeGov.