Sarasota County Animal Services is asking for the community’s help to adopt the shelter’s nearly full group of adoptable dogs, cats, and kittens.
Currently, the shelter has 26 adoptable dogs, 12 adult cats and 23 kittens waiting for homes. In the next few weeks, 23 more kittens will return from foster care, and several new litters will need foster homes before they can be adopted.
Kristen Little, the volunteer and foster coordinator at Sarasota County Animal Services, says the summer slowdown means more animals that need homes.
“Our city is one that is normally full of snowbirds, so my theory is that when they go back it’s harder for them to properly take care of an animal, which causes our shelter to become more full,” said Little.
Dana Judge, media relations specialist for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and avid foster mom, says that she wanted to give her kids responsibilities early on and let them foster kittens and bottle feed them during the summer months.
“I loved fostering because it helped my kids realize that it can be a lot of work to care for an animal. I have been fostering for the past 10 years and I love it,” said Judge.
To help more pets find homes, the shelter has lowered adoption fees. Adopt two kittens for $60, or a dog for $40. Each adoption fee covers spay or neuter surgery, a microchip, first vaccinations, heartworm-negative status for dogs, and FIV/FELV-negative status for cats and kittens.
Animal Services officials say that every adoption makes room for new animals and gives pets a chance to find a loving, permanent home.
If you can’t adopt, you can still help by fostering animals, volunteering, donating supplies, or supporting shelter programs. Foster families are especially needed during kitten season, when young animals need a temporary home before they are ready for adoption.
If you are interested in donating supplies
Here are some suggestions for supplies that are always needed at the shelter.
Is there anything that I should not donate?
Yes! While the animal shelter would love to accept all kinds of donations, some items are not safe for the animals. These items can include any “well-loved” items, damaged items, dirty items or expired or opened food.
If you are interested in adopting, visit Sarasota County Animal Services to meet the pets and learn about the adoption process.
If you go
Sarasota County Animal Services
8451 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241
Phone: (941) 861-9500
Open Monday-Friday
8 am – 4:30pm
Saturday
10:30am – 4:30 pm
Sunday
12 -3 pm
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota shelter nearly full as dozens of pets need homes
Reporting by Francesca Abarca, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Francesca Abarca, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
