With Hurricane Milton nearing the west coast of Florida, poised to strike as a devastating Category 5 storm, animal rescue efforts have kicked into high gear. Florida Urgent Rescue (FUR), a nonprofit organization known for saving animals from high-risk situations, worked in partnership with Pinellas County Animal Services to evacuate 26 dogs from a local shelter on Tuesday. The dogs were relocated to safety ahead of the storm’s expected landfall, which is projected to hit Florida’s Manatee and Sarasota counties late Wednesday evening.
FUR’s Urgent Transport program, which focuses on rescuing animals in the face of natural disasters and emergencies, spearheaded the mission to transport the dogs out of the hurricane’s path. Collaborating with Best Friends Animal Society, FUR relocated the dogs to Marietta, Georgia, where they will stay until the storm passes. Afterward, they are set to be transported to rescues in New York to await adoption.
A Race Against Time as Hurricane Milton Looms
Hurricane Milton, which is rapidly intensifying, has drawn comparisons to some of the most destructive storms in Florida’s history. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that Milton has the potential to be catastrophic, with winds potentially exceeding 157 mph and storm surges that could flood large swaths of the coastline. The region is already reeling from Hurricane Helene, which struck less than two weeks ago, killing over 200 people across the southeastern United States.
“The back-to-back hurricanes have put an unprecedented strain on our shelters,” said Mike Merrill, Director of Operations at FUR. “We’re trying to get these animals out of harm’s way before it’s too late. Many of the shelters are already overwhelmed from Helene, and now with Milton, it’s a crisis on top of a crisis.”
Shelters across the region have been operating at or above maximum capacity since Hurricane Helene. Natural disasters often lead to a surge in stray animals and surrenders, as residents return home to find their properties destroyed or uninhabitable, leaving them with little choice but to surrender their pets. The combination of overflowing shelters and incoming storms has created a dire situation, prompting urgent action from animal welfare groups like FUR.
Urgent Transport Program Saves Lives in the Nick of Time
FUR’s Urgent Transport program, designed to save animals from imminent danger, has proven to be a lifeline for animals during natural disasters. The program was activated as soon as it became clear that Hurricane Milton would make landfall in Pinellas County, putting animals at the shelter in immediate danger.
Working quickly with local and national organizations, FUR coordinated the safe evacuation of 26 dogs, transporting them by van to a temporary facility in Marietta, Georgia, located over 400 miles away from the projected path of the hurricane. Once the storm has passed, the dogs will be taken to rescue centers in New York, where they’ll have a better chance of being adopted.
“It’s amazing how fast everyone came together to make this happen,” said Merrill. “From our volunteers to the teams at Best Friends Animal Society, we were all on the same page — these animals needed to get out, and fast.”
The Overwhelming Impact of Consecutive Hurricanes on Animal Shelters
Hurricane Milton isn’t just a threat to the people living along Florida’s coast — it’s also putting unprecedented pressure on animal shelters, many of which have been stretched to their limits in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The situation has been especially dire in Pinellas County, where shelters were already grappling with an influx of animals displaced by Helene.
“In disasters like this, we see a huge rise in both strays and owner surrenders,” explained Merrill. “People are left with few options when they lose their homes, and unfortunately, pets are often a part of that tragic situation. Shelters can quickly become overwhelmed, and without intervention, some of these animals may not make it.”
As the storm approaches, shelters across Florida are bracing for a further surge in homeless animals. Many organizations, like FUR, are preparing to ramp up their rescue efforts even after the storm passes, as they anticipate more pets being surrendered or found wandering after the disaster.
Best Friends Animal Society Steps In
FUR wasn’t alone in its efforts. Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in shelters, provided critical support in the evacuation operation. Best Friends has long been a partner in disaster relief for animals, and its resources and experience were vital in coordinating the relocation of the Pinellas County dogs.
“We’re proud to work alongside groups like FUR, especially in urgent situations like this,” said a representative from Best Friends Animal Society. “Our priority is always the safety and well-being of the animals, and it’s times like these that show how important collaboration is.”
Looking Ahead: After the Storm
Once Hurricane Milton has passed and the damage has been assessed, FUR plans to continue its rescue work, helping to relocate more animals from shelters in affected areas. In the meantime, the dogs that were evacuated to Georgia will remain safe, awaiting transport to their next stop in New York, where FUR hopes they will find their forever homes.
While the immediate crisis is getting the dogs out of the storm’s path, the long-term goal is to place each one in a loving home. For FUR, this is just another chapter in their ongoing mission to save animals in need.
As Florida braces for Hurricane Milton’s impact, the work of organizations like FUR underscores the importance of emergency preparedness not just for people, but for animals, too. Thanks to their quick actions, 26 dogs are safe, and many more could be saved in the coming days.
How You Can Help
If you’re interested in helping the efforts, both FUR and Best Friends Animal Society are accepting donations to cover the cost of transportation, food, and medical care for the evacuated animals. Additionally, animal lovers are encouraged to consider fostering or adopting pets once the storm has passed, as shelters across the region will continue to face capacity challenges.
In the face of nature’s wrath, teamwork, preparation, and a deep love for animals are proving to be a powerful combination — ensuring that even in the darkest storms, there’s hope for a brighter, safer future for Florida’s shelter animals.
