ASPCA Assists Nearly 600 Animals Displaced by Hurricane Michael in Bay County, Florida

NEW YORK—At the request of the Florida State Animal Response Coalition (SARC), the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) has been on the ground in Bay County, Fla. supporting local agencies with emergency sheltering of hundreds of animals displaced by Hurricane Michael. The ASPCA is also assisting with search-and-rescue efforts in the field, providing medical attention for impacted animals, and coordinating reunification efforts for lost pets. To date, the ASPCA has assisted Florida SARC and local agencies in providing care for nearly 600 animals displaced by the storm.

“Pets are part of our families and we understand how important it is that they be reconnected with their owners,” said Bay County Animal Control Division Manager Kathy Beatson. “We appreciate the partnership with ASPCA and their assistance during this difficult time, and we are so very grateful for all their efforts in helping us reunite these animals with their loving owners.”

While dozens of animals have already been reunited with their families, many animals remain at the shelter waiting to find their owners. The ASPCA and Bay County Animal Control are urging residents who lost their pets during the hurricane to reclaim them at the shelter:

Bay County Animal Control

6401 Bayline Drive
Panama City, Fl.
(850)-767-3333

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. In addition, they work closely with local agencies across the country to help enhance their animal response capabilities through grants and training opportunities. Just last month, the ASPCA was on the ground in Robeson County, N.C., where they assisted in rescuing and caring for more than 600 animals displaced by Hurricane Florence.

About Bay County Animal Control
Bay County Animal Control provides quality animal services to all municipalities in Bay County, with the exception of Lynn Haven. Animal Control is also responsible for the operations of Bay County’s only open-admission animal shelter where all stray, unowned, and owned animals are accepted. We provide the daily care for these animals while we work to reunite them with their owners or find them new homes. Our goal is to protect the interests of animals, owners, and non-owners alike.