As Hurricane Milton barreled toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, a heartwarming effort emerged in Medley, Florida, where volunteers from the Medley Animal Services shelter rallied together to rescue 160 dogs. Faced with the threat of impending landfall, these volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure that no dog was left behind.
The impending storm, expected to cause severe flooding and dangerous winds, made it necessary for local shelters to evacuate animals ahead of time. Medley Animal Services, overwhelmed with dogs in need of rescue, put out an urgent call to the community. The response was nothing short of remarkable, as volunteers, animal lovers, and foster families joined forces to help.
“No dog left behind,” a volunteer at Medley Animal Services shared in a heartfelt social media post. The message quickly went viral, drawing in help from across the county. The goal: find temporary homes for every dog in the shelter before Hurricane Milton made landfall.
A Community Comes Together
Despite the clock ticking, the Medley community came together with incredible speed. Within hours, foster families stepped up to offer shelter to the dogs. Local rescue organizations, such as the Florida Humane Society and neighboring shelters, also pitched in by taking on some of the animals.
In addition to volunteers on the ground, the shelter received offers of help from local businesses, which provided vehicles, kennels, and supplies to transport the dogs safely out of harm’s way. Animal lovers with large vehicles volunteered to ferry dogs to safety, while others provided temporary accommodations.
“We’re so grateful to the people who stepped up in this critical time of need,” said Sarah Gonzalez, one of the lead coordinators for the Medley Animal Services shelter. “It’s incredible to see how much love and care people have for these animals. It’s a reminder of the power of community.”
Weathering the Storm
Hurricane Milton, predicted to be one of the most powerful storms to hit the Gulf Coast this year, prompted evacuation orders across Florida’s coastline. The storm was expected to bring with it dangerous storm surges, torrential rainfall, and winds exceeding 110 miles per hour. Authorities warned of potential flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, including Medley, located northwest of Miami.
For animal shelters like Medley Animal Services, preparing for a hurricane presents a unique challenge. Not only do they need to ensure that all the animals in their care are relocated to safety, but they must also secure supplies and transportation while contending with the fast-changing conditions of an approaching storm.
For the 160 dogs evacuated from the Medley shelter, their rescue came just in time. Foster families opened their homes to the animals, and many of the dogs are expected to remain in their temporary homes until it is safe to return to the shelter or until permanent homes can be found.
“We Won’t Forget Them”
Many of the foster families who stepped in to help are longtime supporters of animal rescue efforts. However, some were first-time fosters who felt compelled to act after hearing about the shelter’s plight in the face of the storm. Jessica Ramirez, a foster parent from Medley, took in two small dogs after seeing the shelter’s call for help online.
“When I heard about the hurricane and the situation at the shelter, I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t bear the thought of these dogs being left behind,” Ramirez said. “They’re part of our community, too. We won’t forget them.”
The shelter also made arrangements to transport some dogs to out-of-state rescue organizations as part of a broader effort to ease the strain on local facilities. These organizations have opened their doors to take in animals displaced by the storm, offering a lifeline for shelters in hurricane-prone areas.
Looking Ahead
While Hurricane Milton poses a significant threat to Florida’s Gulf Coast, the heroic efforts at Medley Animal Services have ensured that, for these 160 dogs, a worst-case scenario was averted. The shelter will remain closed until the storm passes and conditions are safe enough to reopen. In the meantime, the shelter staff is maintaining contact with the foster families, providing guidance and support for caring for the animals during this turbulent time.
As the storm approaches, volunteers and animal advocates continue to monitor the situation, ready to provide further assistance if needed. For now, the focus remains on keeping the animals safe and secure during the storm and in the days following its aftermath.
This rescue effort serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preparation and community support during natural disasters. In the face of Hurricane Milton, the people of Medley have shown that even in the most challenging of times, compassion and teamwork can make all the difference.
How You Can Help
While the immediate crisis has been averted for these dogs, the work is far from over. Animal shelters across the state are still bracing for the impact of the storm, and they are in need of ongoing support. For those who wish to contribute, Medley Animal Services is accepting donations to help with the cost of supplies, transportation, and post-hurricane recovery efforts.
Interested individuals can also sign up to become foster parents or adopt an animal in need. The shelter will continue to coordinate rescue efforts in the days and weeks ahead as they work to find permanent homes for the animals affected by Hurricane Milton.
For more information on how to help, visit Medley Animal Services’ website or contact your local animal shelter.
