Animal Shelters For Your Pets During The Hurricane Season

Hurricane Prep

Which Animal Shelters Can I Bring My Pet To?

September 2, 2025

As we head into hurricane season, we’re reminded of a heartbreaking story that made headlines just a few years ago. In Tampa, a dog was found tied to a fence and abandoned by his owner as Hurricane Milton approached. Left alone in the elements with no way to escape, he was rescued just in time by law enforcement. He was later renamed Trooper, in honor of the trooper who found him, and rehomed with a loving family.

This tough dog’s story inspired change, and Trooper’s Law was recently passed, making it a felony to restrain and abandon a dog during a natural disaster or under an active evacuation order. 

Leaving behind pets is not just dangerous, it’s inexcusable. Across Florida, more hurricane shelters are opening their doors to pets, offering safe spaces for dogs, cats, and other four-legged guests to ride out the storm with their families. Whether you’re evacuating with your own pet or rescuing a stray on your way to safety, there are steps you can take, and shelters ready to help.

In Hurricane City, Acting Early Saves Lives

Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, and while many of us prepare for our own safety, it’s just as important to plan for the animals in our care. The ones left outside. The ones people can’t catch in time. The ones with nowhere to go.

Bringing your pet along, or rescuing a stray, before the storm could save an animal’s life. If you wait, shelters could fill up fast, especially with pre-registration available. Strays become harder to locate, emergency services become overloaded, and the risk of injury increases.

Acting early helps dedicated volunteers and part-time shelter attendants manage the chaos so they can handle priority cases, like injured animals. These are the people who work hard behind the scenes in every animal shelter, doing their best to provide user-friendly services for both people and pets under pressure.

How Animal Rescue Organizations Step In

During major storms, hurricane animal shelters serve as critical lifelines, though they often reach capacity quickly, and that’s when national organizations step in. Groups like the Humane Society of the United States and other trusted animal rescue partners send in teams of wonderful and dedicated volunteers or staff to assist with everything from medical care to logistics. These crews work hard, often helping to transport rescued animals out of state to an attractive facility in a far less-affected area.

Their efforts create space for ongoing animal relinquishments and emergency intakes, while helping many dogs and cats find new homes across the country. Whether it’s helping to reunite pets with their families or preparing them for adoption, this kind of support makes a real difference in recovery.

Before visiting a local animal shelter, always check their Facebook page or website for updates on services, drop-off hours, and current capacity. Many operate with limited staff, including part-time shelter attendants, and rely on the community’s support to create a safe space for all.

What to Know Before You Go to a Shelter

If you’re planning to bring a pet to a hurricane animal shelter, bring the essentials. According to FloridaDisaster.org, this is what you should have ready:

  • A secure crate or carrier
  • Litter box or pan
  • Vaccination records (if available)
  • Food, water bowls, leash, collar, and any medications
  • Pet beds and toys
  • Photo of you and your pet (in case of separation)

If the animal isn’t yours, that’s okay. Most shelters accept animal relinquishments, especially when safety is a concern. Some shelters might ask you to fill out a quick form at the office. It’s a small but important step that helps create a clear path to safety and even adoption later on.

You can also call ahead or check the shelter’s Facebook page to get updated instructions on hours, loading protocols, drop-offs, and space availability.

Where to Go: Hurricane Animal Shelters Across Florida

Not every shelter accepts pets during a storm, but plenty do. Florida counties like Alachua, Nassau, Lake, Seminole, Miami-Dade, Sarasota, Lee, and Monroe offer pet-friendly hurricane shelters, often co-located with human shelters for convenience. Their animal shelter serves not only the displaced dogs and cats, but also local families desperate to stay together in an emergency.

They serve as lifelines for animal adoptions. Once the storm clears, many shelters report successful adoption rates for rescued animals that were brought in ahead of time. What starts as a temporary shelter can become a forever home.

To find a user-friendly list of pet-friendly hurricane shelters by county, visit the American Kennel Club’s Hurricane Shelter List. Note that the list was last updated in 2021, but it still provides useful guidance for all Florida counties. You can also use this Florida Disaster Special Needs Shelter Directory to double-check your local facility options.

How You Can Support Florida’s Shelters Year-Round

Florida shelters do incredible work during hurricane season and year-round. Florida Animal Friend grants help animal shelters and rescue groups expand their spay/neuter services and ensuring fewer homeless pets are in the path of natural disasters. You can support this life-saving work by purchasing or gifting a Florida Animal Friend specialty license plate today.

References

Florida Animal Friend. “Get Your Specialty License Plate to Support Florida Animal Friend.” Florida Animal Friend, 26 Sept. 2023, floridaanimalfriend.org/purchase-a-specialty-license-plate.

Become a Florida Animal Friend

Join the Florida Animal Friend community and stay in the loop on our latest efforts to help reduce pet overpopulation across Florida. By signing up, you’ll receive helpful pet care tips, updates on our mission, and ways you can make a difference (right in your inbox)!