Animal-friendly hurricane shelters get a test-run
August 31st, 2006 by admin
Fortunately, Tropical Storm Ernesto did not turn out to be that bad, but the storm proved to be a test-run for Palm Beach County’s new “pet”-friendly shelter. “It was a drill for us,” Animal Control & Care Director Dianne Sauve said.
The Sun-Sentinel reported that the shelter, at the West Boynton Recreation Center, was prepared for up to 300 people and their companion animals, but only 13 animals showed up- seven dogs, two cats, three birds and a rabbit.
The story was the same at Broward County’s shelter for people with pets. Three people and six animals checked in at Millennium High School in Tamarac. (Miami-Dade, Orange, Lake, Seminole, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Brevard and Volusia counties also operate pet-friendly hurricane shelters.)
Are you prepared for a weather emergency? Visit ARFF’s website for important information about preparations that should be taken now to protect your companion animals.
The arrival of Ernesto was reason to celebrate for one green turtle at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach.
The Jupiter Courier reported that the turtle, named “Fiona,” was released into the Atlantic Ocean after spending 11 weeks recovering from propeller wounds at the rehabilitation center. The storm pushed Fiona’s release date up a few days; we’re sure she didn’t complain.