After devastating the northern Bahama islands of Abaco and Marsh Harbour, category 5 Hurricane Dorian was making a beeline directly for the Treasure Coast of Florida. As a result, shelter evacuation plans were put into place. Almost 50 adoptable pets made a 3 hour trip to shelters located on the west coast of Florida – 13 dogs, 20 cats, 12 rabbits, 5 gerbils, 1 guinea pig, and 1 one eyed rooster made the trek to safety. A huge thank you to Bishop ASPCA and Pasco County for taking in these furry and feathery refugees!
(Read more about the transport here)
That left our facility with 18 dogs and 39 cats to shelter through the storm. The building itself is rated to withstand 180mph winds, and is a designated shelter for pets of county residents who do not feel safe in their own home during a storm. In addition, the shelter provides intake for the pets of first responders who are tasked with keeping the community safe during storms and cannot be home with their animals. So several shelter employees hunkered down in the shelter with the animals to keep them calm, safe, and comfortable throughout the impending storm.
The Treasure Coast was spared the worst of the hurricane as it passed offshore, after days of battering the Bahamas. Rainfall amounts of 2-4″ and sustained winds of 25mph affected the Treasure Coast. After the ALL CLEAR was issued, shelter pets were ready to find a family with which to weather future storms. Adopt a hurricane survivor!
