Admissions Department
Please consider every available alternative to admitting your pet to a shelter before you schedule an appointment for admission. You can find more information about these alternatives under our Pet Safety Net program.

What to expect
The Humane Society of Manatee County will accept the surrender of owned cats and dogs by appointment only. Please call 941-747-8808 ext. 314. If we have space available in our shelter, we will schedule a time for you to come in. If there are no openings, you will be placed on our placement list and will receive a call for an appointment when a space becomes available.

How it works
Each day the Humane Society of Manatee County Admissions staff assess the number of kennels and cages made available in the shelter as animals find homes through the adoption center. Based on the number of adoptions and available cages and kennels, a staff member will call the pet owners from the top of the placement list to schedule surrender appointments for the week.

If a staff member leaves a message, we must hear back from you within 48 hours to confirm that you still need our services. If we are unable to contact you or you are unable to bring your pet(s) to the Humane Society of Manatee County within 48 hours of our initial call, we will leave your name on the top of the list, but will contact the next person to bring in his pet for the available space. The goal of this process is to have available spaces filled as quickly as possible, keeping cages from standing empty while people are waiting to re-home their pets.

Appointments are scheduled Tuesdays through Saturdays. Each appointment should take approximately one hour.

What to bring with you

• A completed owner surrender form
• All veterinary records
• Your pet’s medications
• Special food or treats that your pet needs
• Your pet’s bed, toys, leash and other belongings from home
• Your pet’s crate or carrier
• Your surrender fee in the form of cash, check, or Visa/Mastercard

Surrender Fees
$ 40 – cat, dog, or litter of puppies/kittens
$ 20 – cat or dog that is already spayed or neutered and current on vaccinations

For everyone’s safety, all dogs must be leashed and all cats must be in a carrier or box.

When you arrive

• Your cat will be tested for feline AIDS and leukemia, or your dog over 6 months of age will be tested for heartworms.
• A staff member will evaluate the temperament of your animal.
• Once your animal has been screened and the Humane Society of Manatee County decides to accept your animal, your surrender fee will be collected.
• An appointment for screening does not guarantee that the Humane Society of Manatee County will accept your pet.