Adopt-A-Palooza
Manatee County (May 3, 2023) The 7th Annual Adopt-A-Palooza will be held on Saturday, May 13 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Boulevard in Palmetto. Hours are 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Admission and parking are FREE.
Adopt-A-Palooza is the largest one-day pet adoption and expo-style event in Manatee County and will feature over 100 adoptable pets from Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW), local shelters and animal rescues – all under one roof! Participating adoption organizations include: Humane Society of Manatee County, Canine Castaways, Cat Depot, Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch, Barking Out Loud Rescue, Donte’s Den, Humane Society of Sarasota County, Skyway Dachshund Rescue, and Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County.
The family-friendly event will include a marketplace with over 40 retail vendors selling a variety of products and services, including vendors with pet related items. There will be silent auctions and raffle prizes plus training demonstrations and search and rescue demonstrations. Leashed pets are welcomed with meet and greets available to find that new furry family member.
For pets from MCAW, all adoption fees will be waived in lieu of a donation made to the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS). FoMCAS will provide all dog adopters complimentary leashes and collars from Max & Neo Dog Gear (while supplies last). Manatee County residents are required to license their new pet for an additional $20 tag fee. All pets will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
On the day of the event, the Palmetto Adoption Center, located at 305 25th Street West in Palmetto, will be closed to the public. The Cat Town Adoption Center, located at 216 6th Avenue East in Bradenton, will remain open. Waived adoption fees apply to all cats at the Cat Town Adoption Center. The Bishop Animal Shelter (for lost and found pets, select adoptions), located at 5718 21st Avenue West in Bradenton, will be open during normal business hours. For all locations, appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be accommodated when available. Animal Welfare can be reached at 941-742-5933.
The proceeds from the event will benefit Friends of Manatee County Animal Services. FoMCAS is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as a fundraising arm whose mission it is to work hand in hand with Manatee County Animal Welfare to enrich the lives of the shelter animals by raising funds to provide additional resources and medical care.
MCAW is Manatee County’s only open-admission shelter facility, taking in an average of 11 animals per day in 2022. There are three locations: Palmetto Adoption Center (pet adoptions), Cat Town Adoption Center (cat adoptions), and Bishop Animal Shelter (lost and found pets). MCAW continues to operate the Pet Pantry Program offering free food and supplies to pet owners facing financial and housing hardships. For the 2021-22 fiscal year, MCAW had a 94% save rate.
For the latest information about Adopt-A-Palooza, visit www.mymanatee.org/aap.
For media inquiries about Manatee County Animal Welfare, please contact Hans Wohlgefahrt at hans.wohlgefahrt@mymanatee.org or 941-417-9592 or visit www.mymanatee.org/pets.
For information about Friends of Manatee County Animal Services, please contact Caryn Hodge at carynhodgefomcas@gmail.com or 941-713-3105 or visit www.fomcas.org.
For information on becoming a vendor in the Adopt-A-Palooza marketplace, please email Katy Demick at katy.d@annamariaislandresorts.net
Sponsors and community collaborators for the event include: Bradenton Magazine, SRQ Media, The Bradenton Herald, Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota, I Heart Media – CTQ, The Herald Tribune/Local iQ, Poppo’s Taqueria, Top Tier K9, Air & Energy, AMI Sun Newspaper, The New Barker Magazine, SUNMED Your CBD Store Bradenton and Cortez, Leo & Lucky’s Pet Supply Store, The Suncoast Post, Discover Bradenton.
Hans Wohlgefahrt
Outreach & Event Specialist, Animal Welfare Division
Manatee County Animal Welfare (Pet Adoptions)
305 25th Street West
Palmetto, FL 34221
Manatee County Cat Town (Cat Adoptions)
216 6th Ave E
Bradenton, FL 34205
Bishop Animal Shelter (Lost and Found Pets)
5718 21st Ave W
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 417-9592
hans.wohlgefahrt@mymanatee.org