Welcome to the 2nd installment of the Must LOVE Manatee County Shelter Dogs blog series. “Must LOVE Manatee County Shelter Dogs” hopefully helps inform you on resources, opportunities, and ways to get involved.
The first installment covered high-level basics of “What you need to know”. It also provided where to start looking if you wanted to help.
This 2nd installment focuses on how your simplest every day activities, actions, and conversations can help save a dog’s life. If you want to get started this is where you can see all available animals at Manatee County Animal Welfare.
And Just Like That, You Helped Save a Life
Some of the easiest, least time-consuming, and most natural ways to help the dogs are by having conversations. Social media, networking, and online donations are also effective. Imagine throwing a pebble in a pond, you get ripples. Every time you talk about the dogs, the shelter, share your story, or a post it has a ripple effect. Even the smallest action can make a difference. It can be the beginning to making all the difference in the world to a shelter dog. And while these blogs are specific to the dogs at Manatee County Animal Welfare, these tactics are repeatable. They would help raise awareness for shelter animals where you live as well.
Having simple conversations
Typically after I get done volunteering at the shelter I go to 3 Keys Brewing. It is one of my favorite places by the way. When I do, I usually edit my dog photos from the day so they are ready for albums. While I’m doing this I usually chat with other patrons, regulars and the awesome bartenders. Just natural every day conversations and by doing this have helped 4 dogs get adopted and find their forever families. All are thriving and I get regular updates (which I love). 1 doggo was adopted by a friend and bartender at one of our adoption events (Adopt-a-palooza I believe). 2 were adopted (about a year apart) by a friend of mine I met at 3 Keys. My medical foster was adopted by a friend of theirs. Her care was paid for by the Grace and Friends Medical Fund- FoMCAW. She is now living her best life as a trucker dog. And this is all from just ONE PLACE, doing my regular routine, being social, and talking about the dogs.
1 place > 2 people > 1 person shared with another = 4 dogs adopted in 2 years time(ish).
And that’s just by having a burger (voted the best burger in town), a beer (or 3). And talking to people. That doesn’t even include my neighbors. They got their baby girl this past Christmas through the shelter’s “A Home for the Holidays” foster program. Fosters are needed year round.
My neighbors would see me truck out to the shelter almost every Saturday. They would also see me when I’d come home week after week. We chatted regularly in passing when walking our own dogs about the pups at the shelter. Last year, my neighbors suddenly lost their beloved dog. That dog was also a shelter dog they adopted from Bishop some years before. They were devastated by the loss. Around Christmas they decided they were maybe ready and they started asking me about different pups that were available. They decided to be a part of the “A Home for the Holidays” foster program. They went up to the shelter to find their girl. She was officially adopted around New Years and I get to see her all the time.
As a matter of fact she’s sitting right next to me as I write this. I help watch her when her parents are away and she comes for sleepovers. She’s great with my little dogs too.
These are my stories. I’m only 1 volunteer. 1 voice. I know there are many other volunteers. They have been doing this a lot longer than me. They are more involved than me. They are there more than me. BUT no matter the size of the pebble, the ripples still occur. All those little actions add up and make an impact. Just imagine, let’s say there are 50 volunteers and let’s say hypothetically each volunteer has 2 adoption stories a year. That’s 100 adoptions in a year beginning from talking about the dogs. That’s pretty impactful.
If you’ve got a similar story, please share it in the comments below. If you have an adoption or foster story, you can also email it to mcawvolunteers@gmail.com.
Scroll, like, comment, tag, share, repeat
If you aren’t on social media then you’re the exception to the rule. A lot of us will binge and scroll. Don’t fib you know you do. While you’re doing that, a way you can help is by liking, commenting, tagging, and sharing social posts and events. This helps network the dogs with your friends and followers. A great way to start is by following some pages. I’ve listed a few here to get you started. If you’re looking for ones near you (if you’re not in Manatee County) just use the search bar in whatever platform you are using (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or Google.
Manatee County Animal Welfare Facebook and Instagram
Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare Facebook
For the Love of Dogs- foster, adopt, and volunteer at MCAW Facebook and Instagram
Humane Society of Manatee County Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
These are not all the pages and groups. There are more for Manatee, Anna Maria, Sarasota, and many other Florida communities, cities, and counties. You just need to search for where you are. If there is a particular type or breed you want, start following the pages or join the groups. Your shelters, non-profits, rescues, and official affiliated partners should have the most current and correct information. Every place is different.
Do you want to help name a dog?
For adoption inquiries, please email adoptions@mymanatee.org.
Manatee County Animal Welfare adoption center is located at 305 25th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221
Phone: (941) 742-5933
Hours: Monday – Saturday 12 – 6 Sunday 12-4 PM
You know you love a good Yappy Hour and events- get off your booty baby
When you are scrolling make sure you seek out events! Those are fun and often help raise funds and awareness that saves the lives of animals. You can find these events on official sites and pages. I’ve listed some below to help get you started. Search for your own local events using the search bar on whatever site you’re on.
Yappy Hour Extravaganza hosted by MOTORWORKS Brewing Bradenton every 3rd Sunday 1-4. The event is FREE and dog friendly. They have a tasty Adoptable Lager.
Adopt-a-palooza is an annual event hosted by Manatee County Animal Welfare and co-hosted by Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare. This year it will be held on Saturday, September 28th at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Interested in being a vendor at Adopt-a-palooza this year? I am! Love BB Living will be there with all your favorite shirts. Complete this form if you want to be a vendor this year and/or e-mail katydemickfomcas@gmail.com with questions.
Friendsgiving a Dessert and Wine Auction is THE BIGGEST FUNDRAISER of the YEAR. Hosted by Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare. “Friendsgiving, an exciting night of live and silent auctions, wine pull, food and drink, all to benefit the shelter animals of Manatee County Animal Welfare. “, FoMCAW. Friendsgiving will be held on November 2nd this year. There are sponsorship opportunities and donations needed for auction and baskets.
Add this Wishlist to your favorites
The shelter and FoMCAW have an Amazon Wishlist for the animals. Deliveries will go straight to the shelter.
Series spotlight puppers
Our spotlight puppers are Gus, Riptide, and Sloane. See what the staff and volunteers have to say about them in their bios and albums (linked above). All 3 are great dogs with their own individual personalities. Gus is a shy, chill guy. Riptide is a big boy with some energy just waiting to love someone. Sloane is a sweet senior girl with a lot left to give. She just needs you to give her a chance.
Please contact adoptions@manatee.org for more information on each dog. These 3 pups have all been at the shelter for about 18 mos or more.
If they aren’t your type please check out their over 100+ furry friends . They are all waiting for their furever families to come find them.
Coming up next in the Must LOVE Manatee County Shelter Dogs series, “Rescue Me Right: Top Tips for Snagging Your Perfect Shelter Pup”
*All photos were sourced from the For the Love of Dogs page , Pet Harbor, or my own library. If one is your photo and you want acknowledgement please message me and I’ll add you.