Move over, direct deposit. Sarasota dogs just got their own ATM, and the only required identification is a good paw.

On Friday, the Clark Road branch of TD Bank will turn into a doggy block party to celebrate the launch of Sarasota’s first Dog ATM. From 1 to 4 p.m., the parking lot will be buzzing with a DJ, a caricaturist sketching floppy ears and wet noses, an adopt-a-dog station, cookies from Three Dog Bakery, human desserts from Mellow Mushroom and giveaways for both humans and their four-legged companions.

The ATM itself is part of a 14-location rollout. There’s no card slot—instead, a paw-print mat sits at the base of the machine. When a dog steps on it, a biscuit drops out, no hidden fees attached. On the screen, looping dog-centric videos—rolling tennis balls, hummingbirds, other pups—are designed to entertain the canine mind. Even the instructions mimic a standard ATM prompt, replacing “Insert card to begin” with “Step on pad for a treat.”

“It’s a very fun and joyful experience,” says Boris Ayala, retail market president for North Florida at TD Bank. “The dogs get excited because, after a couple of visits, they know.”

While there’s no single origin story, the concept grew from a long-standing tradition: for years, branches have handed out biscuits to dogs in lobbies and drive-throughs. The ATM is an extension of that. The first machine launched in Philadelphia in April 2024 and was a hit. By the time Coral Gables debuted its machine earlier this month, groups of dogs were already showing up to use it. There’s no biscuit limit, either; dogs can have as many as they want, Ayala says. 

Sarasota was selected partly because of the branch’s open layout and steady foot traffic, but it’s also a natural fit for a community where animals are deeply woven into daily life. Sarasota County Animal Services recorded more than 1,800 stray dogs and cats in 2024. The Humane Society of Sarasota County took in 2,466 animals in 2022, achieving a 98.2 percent save rate, and its expanded facility now has capacity for about 3,300 animals per year.

It’s also fitting in a city where animals have roles that go beyond companionship. Sarasota is home to therapy dogs, a three-legged therapy cat named Shay and even a pig named Coco who visits schools—animals that bring comfort, connection and joy. 

And while dogs are in the spotlight this time, Sarasota’s feline fans aren’t left out entirely. The city recently welcomed its first cat café, a new spot in the Rosemary District where people can sip coffee and socialize with adoptable cats. Ayala, who has three cats of his own, isn’t ruling out a feline version of the ATM. “My three cats would refuse to come out on a leash,” he says, “so that’s a challenge—but never say never.” 

On Friday, Oct. 17, TD Bank will debut its first local Dog ATM at its Clark Road branch, 3450 Clark Road, from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be a DJ, a dog caricaturist, an adopt-a-dog station with Satchel’s Last Resort, custom dog cookies from Three Dog Bakery, plus desserts from Mellow Mushroom and giveaways.