Animal Lovers to Rally Before Budget Hearing

At least one group plans to make its voice heard at Thursday night's public hearing on the Manatee County budget.

The Humane Society of Manatee County is organizing a demonstration at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the historic lawn to show its support for continued adoption program funding.

The rally is being held across the street from the county's , where the public is invited to a 6 p.m. hearing as commissioners consider the county's 2011-12 fiscal year budget. Commissioners have already flagged the $1.5 million animal services budget for a closer look and suggested changes to adoption policies as it tries to trim money from next year's budget.

Animal rights activists, who have been calling for a "no-kill" policy in Manatee, say they are concerned that budget cuts to animal services will result in more animals being euthanized. The county took in more than 2,900 dogs last year, euthanizing 42 percent, and more than 2,500 cats, euthanizing 69 percent.

"We must let our county decision makers know this is unacceptable," a Humane Society flyer read. "We must provide the tools and resources necessary for animal services to succeed at no kill."

Board Chair Carol Whitmore has been an advocate of making Manatee County no-kill and has urged people to attend Thursday's rally.

"As a commissioner that supports your missions, I am proud of all of you," she wrote in an e-mail this week to local animal rights groups. "Now mobilize and have a big turnout ..."

Ralliers said they hope for a crowd of 2,846 people to represent the number of dogs and cats euthanized last year in Manatee. Participants are urged to wear green.

Commissioners are scheduled to review the flagged budget item on animal services July 29.