Adopt-A-Manatee®

Symbolically adopt or renew an adoption of a real manatee for yourself or as a gift, starting at as little as $25 per year! The manatees in our program are real, living manatees with known histories, and funds go toward efforts to help protect imperiled manatees and their aquatic habitat. No matter which manatee you choose to adopt, adopting one helps all manatees.

If you'd prefer not to adopt online, you can send an adoption application by mail or call us at 1 (800) 432-5646 to adopt over the phone with our team.

Adoption Materials

Membership Packet Materials

For as little as 7 cents a day you can help manatees! To show our appreciation for your support, every manatee adoption packet includes:

  • A one-year membership to Save the Manatee Club.
  • A membership handbook filled with photos, facts, and information. (With new adoptions)
  • A biography and official adoption certificate of the manatee you choose.
  • Our official newsletter, The Manatee Zone, four times a year.
  • A FREE 2025 Save the Manatee Club Calendar, while supplies last.
  • A FREE membership gift at the Friend level or above, listed below.

Membership Levels

Associate

$25

  • Associate members receive an adoption packet, which includes a biography and certificate of adoption for your selected manatee and our membership handbook.
Choose a Manatee

Friend

$35

  • A manatee Friend will receive all the Associate level materials along with a 2" enamel pin.
Choose a Manatee

Sponsor

$75

  • When you become a manatee Sponsor, you will receive your adoption packet as well as an exclusive SMC t-shirt. You can also substitute the shirt for the Friend level gift.
Choose a Manatee

Guardian

$100

  • Guardians of the manatee can collect a journal with an attached barrel pen with their adoption packet, or they can substitute the gift for one available at a lower adoption level.
Choose a Manatee

Steward

$500

  • Our manatee Stewards will receive their adoption packet, plus a cutting board with SMC's logo engraved in the corner. This gift can also be substituted for any other gift available in the program.
Choose a Manatee

Educator

$20
  • Educators can adopt at any level and request classroom educational materials, however we do offer a discounted level exclusively to educators.
  • Due to tax substantiation laws, the discounted school membership is ineligible for a membership gift.
Choose a Manatee

Celebrate The Season!

For a limited time, you can substitute your gift at the Friend level or higher for a ceramic holiday ornament. Featuring a manatee on a wreath surrounded by lights and pinecones, this ornament is the perfect way to celebrate the season!

Meet the Manatees

Click on each manatee's picture to explore their story and learn how to adopt them! Updates are provided quarterly in our newsletter, The Manatee Zone. Blue Spring adoptees and Homosassa Springs adoptees can also be seen on our webcams.

All
  • All
  • Alabama
  • Blue Spring State Park
  • East Coast
  • Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
  • Tampa Bay
  • The Florida Keys
Zelda Chandonnet

Zelda

Zelda has been sighted in recent years in the Florida Keys. She was given her name because the scar on her back reminded researchers of the letter “Z.”

Frequently Asked Questions