MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Latte is an 11-year-old pit mix who loves people, even though her people left her at the shelter.
"The people were very frank with us. That they certainly couldn’t take care of their pets anymore because they didn’t know where they were going to be living," said Hans Wohlgefahrt with Manatee County Animal Services.
Manatee County Animal Services says they’re seeing more and more people with financial and housing issues, due to the pandemic, surrendering and abandoning their pets.
The numbers have been rising since October and they say in several cases the animals were adopted when the lockdown started.
"Now because of the extended struggles of COVID and the financial hardships people are facing including evictions, the pets are now ending up in the shelter," said Wohlgefahrt.
This is why Manatee County Animal Services is offering programs to help including a free pet food pantry, holiday fostering and waived adoption fees with a donation to Friends of Manatee County Animal Services.
"So those are the three ways people can help us at this time and we’re really hoping that our pets do find a home," said Wohlgefahrt.
Manatee County Animal Services says they're happy to report that Latte was adopted into a forever home on Monday afternoon.
For more information about Manatee County Animal Services or to learn how you can help, click here.
