Manatee County Government
Manatee County unanimously adopts ‘no-kill’ animal policy
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Oct. 11, 2011) – Manatee County Commissioners this morning unanimously adopted a No-Kill policy formalizing Manatee’s goal to save as many dogs and cats as possible by achieving 90 percent live release rate.
Manatee County is already further along in implementing no-kill than most communities. No-kill requires a combination of efforts by Animal Services, rescue groups, shelters, the media and the public.
Kris Weiskopf, Animal Services Chief, said Manatee County is working regularly with animal welfare organizations, animal shelters, the media and the public to increase animal fostering and adoptions, to promote free or low-cost spay/neutering programs, and to promote a trap/neuter, return program for feral cats, public relations and community involvement.
“We are one of the few governments in the country and, I think the first in the state of Florida, that has a no-kill policy approval from the County Commission,” said Commission Chair Carol Whitmore who has pushed Manatee County to become a no-kill community for nearly four years.
Weiskopf is striving for a 2 percent increase each month in live release rate, from the current 61 percent. He said the no-kill efforts may increase revenue and lower costs to the county for Animal Services.
Commissioner McClash added, “What you have here is a change of attitude at the county. I’m glad we’re finally here. No kill means we make every effort to avoid euthanizing healthy animals.”
For more information on Manatee County’s no-kill policy, call Weiskopf at (941) 742-5933. For more information on Manatee County’s adoptable animals, visit www.mymanatee.org/pets
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501.