Rescuing animals during hurricanes – United States & Caribbean
Hurricanes are increasing in intensity as our climate continues to warmIFAW preparing for Hurricane Milton response in Helene's aftermath
IFAW preparing for Hurricane Milton response in Helene's aftermath
19 November 2024
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, IFAW has helped rescue, treat, and support 200 animals in need in Florida and North Carolina. Beyond that, we have also helped so many others in Georgia, through the state-level guidance our team provided —amplifying our impact when it’s needed most.
In the wake of these devastating disasters, your support has enabled us to be there for people and animals when it mattered most. There is still a long recovery ahead for many communities, but the support we’ve been able to provide to shelters has allowed families to stay together and helped start the healing process.
Kittens Hurricane Helene survivor Diane Sanchez gave up for adoption while staying with her pets at an IFAW-supported shelter in Asheville, NC. Photo: © IFAW
We remain committed to responding to hurricanes and other disasters around the world as they occur. As severe storms like these continue to wreak havoc, we are also dedicated to helping communities around the world be prepared and integrate animals into their disaster response plans. And as climate change increasingly brings catastrophic weather events, we are working to support mitigation and adaptation through nature-based solutions.
Latest hurricane response update
11 October 2024
Three IFAW responders will deploy to Panama City, FL, this Sunday for a week, providing daycare for animals evacuated from central Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall. The team will be onsite for one week, with additional responders on standby to support ongoing efforts in both Florida and North Carolina.
IFAW preparing for Hurricane Milton response
10 October 2024
Three IFAW responders will deploy to Panama City, FL, this Sunday for a week, providing daycare for animals evacuated from central Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall. The team will be onsite for one week, with additional responders on standby to support ongoing efforts in both Florida and North Carolina.
In Milton’s wake, IFAW is awarding an emergency grant to our local partner Alaqua Animal Refuge to support their response mission housing shelter animals from central Florida, opening space for displaced animals.
IFAW also remains on the ground in North Carolina supporting shelter evacuees with pets and recovery efforts for animals and people impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The state of North Carolina has requested that IFAW continue working at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center Co-located Shelter, where our team has been assisting since Helene devastated entire communities. The shelter is currently hosting over 200 people, and IFAW serves as both shelter managers and daily care providers for pets and their owners. Animals currently in our care include 25 dogs and 18 cats.
9 October 2024
As Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm, Florida is bracing for another devastating impact just days after Hurricane Helene. Tampa is in the direct path of the storm, and millions are preparing for life-threatening storm surges, torrential rain, and widespread flooding. It’s the third-fastest intensifying storm in the Atlantic on record.
IFAW supported Little Bear Sanctuary during Hurricane Ian in September 2022 in Punta Gorda, Florida. Photo: © Little Bear Sanctuary
At IFAW, we remain on the ground, responding to the needs of animals and people in the aftermath of Helene, while gearing up for Milton’s potential destruction. We are participating in state-level planning calls to support temporary shelters in Georgia for evacuees from Florida. IFAW disaster responders remain in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene supporting co-located shelters and will remain to help with recovery efforts.
Earlier in the week, Milton barreled across the Yucatan Peninsula, where the governments of Yucatan State and Quintana Roo, Mexico, prepared temporary shelters for people and their pets. Two shelters in Quintana Roo are utilising IFAW-provided hurricane shelter kits.
In disasters like these, it is vital to be prepared and have an evacuation plan for your family and pets.
Midnight the dog stays at a temporary shelter near Asheville, North Carolina after evacuating due to Hurricane Helene. Photo: © IFAW
IFAW is on the ground helping communities impacted by Hurricane Helene
30 September 2024
In the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene, IFAW is now on the ground to support emergency response efforts. Just two days after the hurricane made landfall, our teams deployed North Carolina and Georgia, where widespread flooding and destruction have left more than 50 people dead and millions without power.
As a founding member of the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC), IFAW plays a vital role in coordinating disaster response efforts. In collaboration with state authorities, we have mobilised our team of experienced responders to assist in areas hardest hit by the storm.
In North Carolina, we have deployed a shelter team to support operations at the Western North Carolina Ag Center in Fletcher, a state-run shelter housing both people and household pets displaced by the hurricane. Our team is ensuring the safety and care of animals in this co-located shelter, while also providing resources and relief to the affected community.
In Georgia, IFAW is supporting the State Operations Center (SOC) with coordination and the potential Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR) efforts.
Given the scale of destruction and the challenges posed by limited communication in affected areas, our disaster response team is closely monitoring the situation across the US Southeast. While the immediate focus is on rescue and sheltering operations, the recovery process will be long and complex. IFAW will remain engaged for as long as necessary, helping to rebuild lives and ensure that animals are included in all stages of recovery.
A cat stays at a temporary shelter near Asheville, North Carolina after evacuating due to Hurricane Helene. Photo: Michelle Lombas / © IFAW
IFAW deploys to assist emergency shelter operation
26 September 2024
Hurricane Helene, predicted to be the largest hurricane to hit the US in over a year, has already impacted the Cayman Islands and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and is expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday 26 September. As of Wednesday afternoon, it is classed as a Category 1 hurricane, and it is expected to reach Category 3 status by the time it arrives in the US.
Caring for cats evacuated from the Mexican island of Holbox in advance of Hurricane Helene making landfall. © IFAW
IFAW’s Disaster Response staff have deployed to support the Holbox Animal Shelter in Quintana Roo, Mexico, in the evacuation of the animals in their care. IFAW’s Dr. Erika Flores helped safely transport them to our partner Coco’s Animal Welfare for temporary shelter until they can return home. Four municipalities in Quintana Roo opened pet-friendly shelters—Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Lázaro Cárdenas, and Cancún. We provided a hurricane kit to the Isla Mujeres shelter, and the other shelters were able to open on their own.
Our team continues to stand by, prepared to respond in other ways as we are needed.
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