Animal shelters in South Florida are frantically searching for foster homes so they can reduce the number of kennels they have in anticipation of an influx of lost and abandoned pets following Hurricane Milton.
Similar to previous hurricanes, Milton will likely displace many dogs and cats who may experience the storm, said Arielle Weinberger, a spokesperson for Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control. Leaving home or running away when frightened.
Some shelters have posted their appeals on social media. In Palm Beach County, shelters are providing food and supplies to families adopting dogs or cats for two to three weeks.
Broward Animal Care Center is also looking for foster homes following the hurricane.
“We desperately need your help!” Broward Animal Care posted on its Facebook page on Oct. 7. “Our shelter is currently home to over 200 adorable dogs and cats who deserve a safe, loving environment, especially with severe weather approaching. To ensure their safety and well-being, we are calling for #BrowardCounty The community provides foster homes and temporary care for homeless pets in need.
The Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League of West Palm Beach received approximately 20 dogs from Clewiston Animal Services near Lake Okeechobee and sent a transport team to St. Francis Animal Rescue in Venice on Florida's west coast center “to evacuate as many dogs as possible.”
The Broward County Humane Society adopted 29 cats and four dogs from a Manatee County shelter located in the path of the storm, said Cherie Wachter, a spokeswoman. Fortunately, the association held a successful adoption event over the weekend and found homes for 60 animals.
If you would like to foster or adopt, please contact one of these shelters. Be sure to call ahead as some stores are closed due to the storm.
Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control: 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach; 561-233-1200; discovery.pbc.gov/publicsafety/animalcare
Broward County Animal Care Department: 2400 SW 42nd St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-359-1313; broward.org/animals
Broward County Humane Society: 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale; 954-989-3977; humanebroward.com
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League: 3200 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach; 561-686-3663; peggyadams.org
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