On October 11, 2011, the Commissioner at Large, Carol Whitmore of Manatee County, Florida signed Resolution R-11-127 authorizing Manatee County to become a NO KILL County.  This means that within a certain period of time, Manatee County shall retain a 90% or more save rate for all animals entering the county shelter as outlined in the NO KILL Equation (NKE).  

This Resolution also called for a No Kill 90% Saved Actionable Implementation Plan for Manatee County, dated October, 2011 and updated on December 3, 2012.  This plan has not been executed as originally outlined, and in accordance with the NKE.  As per the No Kill Nation, these steps are implemented simultaneously for success, not separately.  Hence, Manatee County Animal Shelter (MCAS) continues killing for space.  Animals are killed having curable diseases and treatable behavioral problems.  Therefore, these unethical practices are inflating the NO KILL rate and publicizing progress, and going against the NO KILL Life Saving Matrix.

We believe staggering levels of killing are inconsistent, and out-of-touch with our community's values. MCAS practices are especially unacceptable when compared with the municipal shelters in cities like Reno, NV, Charlottesville, VA, Ithaca, NY, and Austin, TX, which save over 90% or more of all animals in their open-admission shelters.  

No longer will we accept this misappropriation of our tax dollars to needlessly kill companion animals when proven, more cost-effective, and lifesaving alternatives can and will work.  Appointing a compassionate shelter director will afford MCAS a positive change in a successful execution of the NKE.  Therefore, Manatee County citizens and ALL animal advocates are needed in supporting this lifesaving mission.  Therefore working towards one common goal: to ensure that MCAS aggressively and comprehensively implements the programs and services of the best performing open-admission shelters in the country — otherwise known as the NKE as promised on October 13, 2011.

Our animals have no voices!  We are their voices!  Let the Commissioners of Manatee County know, we want the needless killing of our animals to stop immediately.

Informational Links:

http://www.thenokillnational.org​

http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org​

http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Matrix.pdf​

http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/shelter-reform/success​

http://www.mymanatee.org/dmsldepartments/public-safety/animal-services/no-kill.html

The following are the Names of the Decision Makers having the ability to take the necessary steps to force the Implementation of the NO KILL Equation.  Write and call these people.  Tell them your thoughts regarding the inability or non-caring attitude to carry through with their promises.  Please be direct and no threats.  WE ARE THE VOICES OF THE ANIMALS OF MCAS.

ed.hunzeker@mymanatee.org​

carol.whitmore@mymanatee.org     941-745-3704

larry.bustle@mymanatee.org           941-745-3701

michael.gallen@mymanatee.org       941-745-3702

john.chappie@mymanatee.org          941-745-3700

robin.disabatino@mymanatee.org     941-745-3713

vanessa.baugh@mymanatee.org       941-745-3703

betsy.benac@mymanatee.org            941-745-3714

karen.windon@mymanatee.org           941-745-3799

ron.koper@mymanatee.org                 941-749-3500   

also write to:  Contact the Citizens Action Center - Enter your issues into our new Citizens Action System (CAS) software, TRAKiT or call (941) 742-5800.