BVSPCA Hurricane Ian disaster response

66 shelter dogs and cats rescued from Hurricane Ian devastation

The specialty we’ve developed in disaster response is bittersweet – a role we hope won’t be needed but that we’re proud to use at a moment’s notice. As soon as we saw Ian’s path forming towards Florida, we began preparations.

While we networked with our national and Florida partners, we started an adoption promotion to make space. Our community stepped up in a big way, clearing dozens of kennels and cages so we could be ready to help Florida’s struggling shelters.

On Monday, October 3rd, we welcomed 66 shelter dogs and cats to ease the burden on damaged shelters and to make space for displaced family pets to get help locally.

Mobilizing for Florida shelters

We teamed up with our great friends at Petco Love and Wings of Rescue to orchestrate the first rescue airlift from impacted areas of Florida following Hurricane Ian’s devastating landfall. The flight carried dogs and cats that were adoptable in shelters prior to the storm. Our partner, Humane Society Naples, has been pulling shelter animals from across the heavily damaged areas of Collier, Lee, Sarasota and Highland Counties.

Relocating these homeless pets allows the sending shelters to focus on recovering and being a resource for local family pets displayed during the storm. The dogs and cats will be evaluated by our medical team and will begin going up for adoption at our West Chester Campus on Tuesday, October 4^th.

“Anytime disaster strikes, Petco Love stands ready to support relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts, including emergency transports like those being led by national leader Brandywine Valley SPCA,” said Petco Love President Susanne Kogut. “In addition to this support, Petco Love Lost, our national pet lost and found search tool, is being utilized to assure locally lost pets are reunited with their pet parents. Working together, we can save lives and help those impacted by hurricanes Ian and Fiona.”

How you can help

We’re doing this work on top of our regular daily work to help lost and stray animals, cruelty victims, and pets needing rehoming. We need your support to help the homeless pets and people of Florida at this critical time. Make a donation to support this disaster relief work and consider welcoming one of these rescues into your home if you’ve been thinking about adopting.

We’ll keep you posted as the work evolves. We’re grateful to have you in our community as part of #TeamBVSPCA!

Donate now to help enrich the lives of animals in need.

Thank you to our disaster relief partners