Bishop SPCA Property Donated To Manatee County

BRADENTON, FL — Manatee County has taken over the management and operation of the Bishop Animal Shelter, located at 5718 21st Ave. W. in Bradenton, from the Bishop Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Manatee County.

The site — worth about $18 million — was donated to the county’s Animal Services Department by the Bishop board of directors, according to a county news release.

The 14.47-acre property houses a nearly 25,000-square-foot state-of-the-art medical and intake facility, the original adoption center, a house and other personal property.

The agreement between the Bishop board and Manatee County requires the county to operate the shelter with a 90 percent live release rate, and limits operations at the site to the care and maintenance of animals.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of this gift,” said Sarah Brown, chief of the Manatee County Animal Services Division. “We are excited about the expansion of Animal Services to a third location, and the care we will be able to provide to the animals.”

The county now operates three facilities: the Bishop Animal Shelter, Cat Town at 216 6th Ave. E. in Bradenton and Palmetto Animal Services at 305 25th Street W. in Palmetto.

With its extensive veterinary facilities, the new shelter will be used as an intake facility, the county said. All stray animals, lost-and-found animals, bite quarantines, injured strays, and animals involved in any field investigation case will stay at the facility.

Starting Tuesday, anyone who has lost a pet or found a stray in Manatee County should visit or contact the Bishop facility. Palmetto Animal Services will remain open for adoptions only.

“Manatee County has proven that we are a champion of animal welfare,” said Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore. “The Bishop Foundation saw that and were so impressed with the comprehensive animal welfare program started in 2011 that they approached us to continue their original mission.”

The gifted property provides “additional sheltering space with a very thoughtful design, including easy-to-clean kennels, isolation rooms (which exist on a very limited scope in Palmetto), digital X-ray, an interior turf yard, substantial storage and a surgical suite,” according to the county.

“This state-of-the-art facility is a game changer for the county and the pets we serve,” said Brown.