The Humane Society of Manatee County (HSMC) is moving forward with a significant transformation of its two-and-a-half-acre campus, creating a more welcoming, efficient and compassionate environment for animals and the people who care for them.
Central to the vision is a new 12,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art adoption center designed to improve the experience from surrender through adoption, support animal wellbeing and provide staff and volunteers with a more functional environment. The project will prepare HSMC to meet the community’s evolving animal-welfare needs while building upon the organization’s longstanding legacy of care.
The broader campus plan will improve circulation, create a clearer and more inviting arrival experience and establish a safer, more pedestrian-focused setting. Improvements will be implemented in phases to allow HSMC’s essential services to continue throughout construction.
“A major gift and overwhelming community support have made our campus transformation a reality,” said Rick Yocum, executive director of HSMC. “Planning began several months ago and has included the HSMC Board of Directors, Fawley Bryant Architecture, our volunteers and staff. We look forward to opening our new 4,000-square-foot cat facility and the Second Chance Adoption Center, which will serve our community’s animal-welfare needs for decades to come.”
HSMC has selected Fawley Bryant Architecture (FBA) as the project architect and JE Charlotte as construction manager. Both firms are deeply rooted in Southwest Florida and bring extensive local knowledge, relevant experience and a shared commitment to supporting the communities they serve.
The design will prioritize calm, healthy environments for animals through thoughtful consideration of light, sound, ventilation and visibility. It will also focus on efficient staff workflows, flexible animal-care spaces, separation of adoption and surrender activities and welcoming areas that encourage greater community engagement.
“The most meaningful part of this project is the opportunity to translate the Humane Society’s compassion into the built environment,” said Stu Henderson, partner at Fawley Bryant Architecture. “Every decision, from lighting and acoustics to circulation and staff workflow, is centered on creating a calmer experience for animals and a more supportive environment for the people who care for them.”
“This project is about much more than new buildings, it is about creating a campus that allows HSMC to serve animals, staff, volunteers and the community better for decades to come,” said Jenn Stutler of Stutler Strategies, HSMC’s owner’s representative. “Our role has been to help translate that long term vision into a thoughtful, achievable plan while allowing HSMC to continue its essential work throughout the transformation. It is especially meaningful to work along such strong local team come together around that shared purpose.”
The cat facility is expected to be completed in May 2027, with the Second Chance Adoption Center scheduled to open in May 2028.
For 55 years, the Humane Society of Manatee County has served the community as a no-kill shelter, providing compassionate care, education and advocacy to improve the lives of animals and strengthen the human-animal bond. Learn more at http://www.humanemanatee.org
Fawley Bryant Architecture
Fawley Bryant Architecture is a Florida-based architecture and interior design firm with more than 30 years of experience creating commercial, educational, civic, recreational and community-focused environments. FBA has a longstanding presence in Manatee County, combining deep local knowledge with a collaborative, planning-first approach to deliver thoughtful, functional and enduring spaces. For more information, visit fawleybryant.com.
JE Charlotte
JE Charlotte provides a full range of commercial construction management services throughout Southwest Florida. The company is committed to high-quality construction, dependable service, sustainable building practices and supporting stronger communities for future generations. Its portfolio includes commercial, healthcare, educational, industrial and animal-care facilities. For more information, visit jecharlotte.com.
Stutler Strategies
Stutler Strategies provides strategic project management, owner’s representation and development consulting services throughout the west coast of Florida . The firm works alongside clients to guide complex projects from planning and design through construction and completion, with a focus on clear communication, accountability and protecting the owner’s interests. Its experience includes commercial, nonprofit, civic, educational, healthcare and community-focused projects. For more information, visit stutlerstrategies.com.
