No-Kill Effort Opens to Community

Every year in Manatee County thousands of animals are put to death because they have been abandonded.

Manatee County officials decided to do something to reduce the number of animals that are killed every year by adopting a policy on Oct. 11 to become a no kill community by December 2012. That means that the county will save 90 percent of the animals that come into the shelter.

But adopting a policy alone won't make it happen. The county is now counting on Manatee County residents to step up and help make that policy become a reality.

A group of advocates has put together a free open house at the , 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. West, to talk about the goals, what the county is already doing and how the community can accomplish its goals. The meeting, which will include time for questions, begins at 6:15 p.m.and will continue until 7:45 p.m. People are welcome to come and go throughout the meeting.

While foster homes are needed for dogs and cats, there are plenty of other opportunities for people who can't foster or adopt an animal. Manatee County Animal Services is always looking for people to walk dogs or play with the cats. They also need food donations and people who can help organize and collect such donations. Other needs are transportation for animals.

For more information or to volunteer contact Shona Otto at 941-713-6531, or Sheri Clinard at 536-5795.