ASPCA Delivers Critical Pet Supplies to Communities Throughout Florida Impacted by Hurricane Irma

NEW YORK—As part of its ongoing efforts to provide assistance for animals impacted by Hurricane Irma, the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) delivered critical pet supplies to dozens of shelters and resource centers in communities affected by the storm in Florida. The ASPCA estimates that more than 11,500 cats and dogs have been assisted through the distribution of pet food, bedding, medical supplies, crates and additional resources to shelters and pet owners in need.

In addition to its distribution efforts to support communities throughout Florida, the ASPCA provided sheltering assistance for homeless animals at Lee County Domestic Animal Services, Miami-Dade Animal Services and the Florida Keys SPCA and relocated more than 1,200 unowned shelter animals out of impacted communities.

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Irma will have an ongoing impact on communities in Florida for months to come,” said Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. “The ASPCA is committed to providing support for shelters and pet owners by ensuring they have the critical supplies they need to care for animals affected by the storm.”

Pet supplies were delivered to the following animal shelters and resource centers in Florida:
American Red Cross – Key West; Barky Pines Animal Rescue and Sanctuary; Bridge to Hope; Broward County Animal Care and Adoption; Cat Depot; Central Broward Regional Park; Centro Campesino; Citrus County Animal Services; First Coast No More Homeless Pets; Flagler Humane Society; Florida Keys SPCA; Griffing Community Center; K9Resque; Lake City Humane Society; Lee County Domestic Animal Services; Miami-Dade Animal Services; Nate’s Honor; Notre Dame D’Haiti Catholic Church; Okeechobee County Animal Control & Animal Shelter; Peggy Adams Animal Rescue; Safe Pet Rescue; SPCA of Brevard; Tampa Humane Society; Tri-County Animal Rescue; and Trust Again Pet Shelter, Inc.

The ASPCA has cared for hundreds of homeless cats and dogs at its emergency shelter established in Duncan, S.C. and is winding down its operation as homeless animals are placed with partner agencies throughout the country, including South Carolina, where they will be made available for adoption. The emergency shelter was established to serve as a safe place for homeless animals in need of immediate evacuation, enabling local shelters to make room for lost pets and owned animals who require temporary sheltering.

The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team deploys nationwide to assist in relocation, search-and-rescue, sheltering and placement of animals during disaster situations including wildfires, tornadoes and floods. For more information on the ASPCA’s response to Hurricane Irma, please visit https://www.aspca.org/news/aspcas-response-irma.