Manatee approves one of the first 'no-kill' policies for animal shelter

MANATEE — The Manatee County Commission today unanimously OK’d a resolution and action plan that would guide its county animal shelter toward a “No Kill” policy.

Under the plan, the county shelter would try to gradually increase its “live release” rate to more than 90 percent by next year, according to Kris Weiskopf, chief of Manatee County Animal Services.

“Live release” refers to animals that are adopted, returned to their owners, or are transferred to an animal welfare organization, rather than euthanized.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore said Manatee’s animal shelter is the first of its kind in the state and among a very few across the nation to try to halt the killing of animals in its care under a formal resolution and plan approved by the commission.

There were a few complaints from members of the public.

Among them was Mike Picchietti, who lives in the eastern part of the county near a new animal shelter.

He complained that he was bothered by barking dogs, and that the county’s noise ordinance does not cover his situation.

Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at (941) 745-7031.

This story was originally published October 11, 2011 at 12:07 PM with the headline "Manatee approves one of the first 'no-kill' policies for animal shelter."