All animals at Manatee Animal Services only $10 through May

MANATEE -- Manatee County Animal Services is at "beyond critical capacity," according to the division's chief.

"We are so full to the point we will no longer have space in our facility," Animal Services chief Sarah Brown said Monday.

With 155 dogs and 102 cats, the shelter is having an adoption special through May 31. As part of the "Be A Hero" adoption special, all adoptions will be $10, which includes spay/neuter, microchip and rabies certificate. Manatee County residents are also required to license the pets for an additional $15.

"Be a hero as one of Manatee County's kindest and adopt a pet," Brown said. "We are heroes in the adopted pets' eyes by giving them a chance at a forever home. And the love they give us, is like being rescued right back."

The adoption special is available at both the Palmetto shelter, 305 25th St. W., and for cats at 1002 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. The Palmetto shelter is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and the Bradenton location is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

"We have many loving pets looking for a forever home," Brown said. "Help your local community by adopting by MCAS."

The animals at the shelter are "sterilized, microchipped and up-to-date on vaccinations," Brown said. "That is basically hundreds of dollars of vet care for free."

The shelter also has information from staff and volunteers about the individual animal's behaviors, "with hopes we will match adopters with a pet that fits their lifestyle," Brown said.

"By adopting a pet, you are making a difference," she said. "Adoption saves lives."

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published May 16, 2016 at 5:53 PM with the headline "All animals at Manatee Animal Services only $10 through May ."