Hurricane Ian caused significant damage to homes in Florida, leading many pet owners to seek temporary shelter. How is this impacting Florida pets?

A report from National Public Radio says that many Florida animal shelters are evacuating their animals to other locations to prepare for the influx of newly homeless pets.

Pets affected by the hurricane are experiencing temporary homelessness along with their displaced owners, but many have also been permanently surrendered to local shelters when their owners feel they can no longer care for them during this crisis.

The Humane Society of Naples told NPR that it plans to fly out over 450 shelter animals to make room for more, as–sadly–people are beginning to drop off pets they can no longer care for.

One woman reported that she could not find a hotel that would take her 6-year-old Pit Bull-Weimaraner mix and was hoping that the Naples shelter could temporarily house her dog.

“We’re so close to Dolly,” she said through her tears. “We don’t want to see her surrendered. We want to find a place where we can get her back.” The shelter assured her that her dog could be housed there for a few months.

Staff at the Collier County animal shelter fear that the homeless pet problem could be long-term. They told NPR that many landlords already don’t accept pets. Damage to rental properties and a new influx of temporary renters could make it more difficult for struggling pet owners to keep their pets.

If you are interested in adopting a homeless pet displaced from Florida, you can check to see if one of your local shelters has taken in any Hurricane Ian animals.

Here is a video from the Today Show on the efforts to rescue Hurricane Ian pets:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkwq8mrdc0Y&w=560&h=315]