Six-to-twelve foot storm surges and category 3 winds battered Florida’s panhandle and northwest coast early Wednesday as Hurricane Idalia made landfall. Idalia has submerged land and communities, but it hasn’t dampened animal rescue mobilization nationwide.
RedRover, an animal wellness group based in Sacramento, California, rises higher than any tide nature can muster. Spanning years and many disasters, RedRover has established chapters across the U.S.
Floridians are seasoned to cyclonic forecasts which streamlines their response somewhat. Before Imelda hit, Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, waived all pet policies for evacuations, allowing people to bring their animals to hotel rooms. Still, boots on the ground will be in short supply during and after the storm.
RedRover’s emergency responders in Florida are ready to brave dangerous conditions to rescue as many lost, abandoned and frightened pets as possible. Beth Gammie, leader of RedRover’s coordinated response in Tallahassee, Florida, credits the awful events of Hurricane Katrina with changing the animal rescue game during natural disasters.
“Out of all of that, a lot of animal groups came together and realized we need to coordinate more and do better and professionalize the field a bit," Gammie told CBS News. “And we've been a part of that effort.”
Coordinating with overcapacity shelters in South Carolina, MSPCA-Angell (Massachusetts) and the Northeast Animal Shelter received 23 dogs ahead of Idalia’s anticipated path of destruction. Parts of South Carolina were expected to receive up to 10-inches of rainfall. The new shelter vacancies will accommodate an influx of pets displaced by Idalia.
“The timing of this transport couldn't be more critical,” an MSPCA-Angell spokesperson said. “We are near capacity ourselves, but we won’t say no to the animals and our partners who desperately need our help.”
One of the South Carolina dogs, Jerry, was living in a pop-up kennel in that shelter’s hallway. The action of shelter staff on behalf of Jerry saved him from a euthanasia decision due to overcrowding: “ . . . The amazing staff at that shelter never stopped advocating for him,” the spokesperson continued. “Now, he's on his way to Massachusetts.”
Arriving dogs will be examined and quarantined for 48 hours before being placed for adoption. MSPCA-Angell and the Northeast Animal Shelter are seeking donations to provide for these dogs and and prepare for a continued influx of animals in the near future.
Other rescue groups await instructions or have already answered the call to help. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) has offered a fleet of trucks to transport animals out of harm’s way and to distribute collected supplies and donations to those in need. A team at Best Friends Animal Society is standing by with kennels, purchased supplies and drivers. Laura’s Hope shelter in Hop Bottom, PA, received 10 dogs yesterday. A staple in first-response to Florida’s natural disasters, Big Dog Ranch Rescue is desperately seeking fosters to clear space for incoming animals and funds for devastated areas.