On April 23, 2019, the Manatee County Commissioners voted to allocate $8 million from the Infrastructure Sales Tax (IST) to fund a new animal shelter. Additional funds will be needed to fully fund an adequate facility, so Animal Network, Inc. is proud to be able to partner with Manatee County to support building this new shelter. We have announced an organizational goal of raising at least $2 million in donations from the citizens and businesses of Manatee County within the next two years to add to the current funding level.

The current facility, located in Palmetto, Florida, was first built in the 1940s and was mostly rebuilt in the mid-1980s. Significant utility service and maintenance issues have developed, creating the need to consider constructing a new building.

The county staff has indicated that the shelter will be located in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of I-75 and SR64 just across SR64 from Haili Middle School located at 9501 E SR64, Bradenton, FL 34212 .

Manatee County staff will create a planning and construction timeline detailing the projected schedule. When it’s available a completion date will be provided on this page.

The new shelter will be owned by Manatee County and managed and maintained by Manatee County employees.

According to Manatee County staff, the old shelter will be demolished.

Go to sheltermanatee.com and click on the “Donate” button to give electronically. To send a check, make it out to Animal Network, Inc., add “Shelter Manatee” on the memo line of the check, and mail it to 4008 39^th Street W., Bradenton, FL 34205.

Yes, Animal Network welcomes sponsors for certain areas of the new shelter. Please see the opportunities here.

Please access the pledge form shown on sheltermanatee.com. Provide information on the form and mail to 4008 39th Street W., Bradenton, FL 34205.

In the event that the Manatee County Government has not begun construction on the new animal shelter by July 15, 2022, the funds shall be contributed to one or more Manatee County animal welfare/sheltering organizations.

Funds donated electronically through the Shelter Manatee web site will be accepted into a PayPal account dedicated to Shelter Manatee only. Funds located in the Shelter Manatee PayPal account will be periodically moved to BMO Harris Bank to an account dedicated to Shelter Manatee. All checks mailed to Shelter Manatee will be deposited in the Shelter Manatee bank account.

A planning and construction timeline for the new shelter will be developed by Manatee County staff. At times, (at milestones agreed to between Manatee County and Animal Network) Shelter Manatee funds will be provided as requested. When funds are disbursed from the Shelter Manatee bank account for any reason, a financial committee established specifically to oversee all funding use will unanimously agree to the transaction. Members of that committee are Animal Network President, Pam Freni; Animal Network Treasurer, Mike Mathews; Michelle Tourjee – CPA; and community member, Patricia Korn.

If your employer has a matching gift program, you may complete the company matching gift form and return it to Animal Network along with your pledge–4008 39th Street W., Bradenton, FL 34205. All funds from you and your employer will be deposited into the Shelter Manatee bank account.

Donors may find it advantageous to give appreciated securities affording them the benefit of a tax deduction. If interested in donating stock, please contact Susie Bowie at the Manatee Community Foundation, 2820 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205. The Foundation’s phone number is (941) 747-7765.