Thanks to a partnership between the PETCO Foundation, The Humane Society of the United States, and the Humane Society of Broward County, South Floridians seeking safe shelter in the path of a hurricane will now have somewhere to take their pets as well.
In the past, human evacuation shelters in South Florida have not allowed pets to enter. Residents needing to use the shelters were left with the choice of abandoning their companions, or ignoring the evacuation order and putting their lives in danger. This year, thanks to this partnership, Broward County will be able to provide a shelter for people and their pets. This is being made possible with the donation of 350 small, medium and large crates for animals, donated by the PETCO Foundation. PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. vendor Doskocil discounted the price of the crates -- purchased by the PETCO Foundation, and will also provide shipping to Broward County free of charge.
"This is a true partnership for animals, who are often the forgotten victims of natural disasters," PETCO Foundation Director Paul Jolly said. "These crates will ensure the safety of people as well as their beloved animals, because they will be encouraged to evacuate knowing that there is a refuge for all of their family members."
The new pet friendly shelter is the creation of the Humane Society of Broward County (HSBC), in cooperation with the Broward Chapter of the American Red Cross and the School Board of Broward County. The project is supported by the Broward County Emergency Management organization. Under the program, residents of the emergency evacuation zone and their pets will be sheltered in separate designated areas of the facility with Humane Society of Broward County officials caring for the pets during the storm and the Red Cross only managing the area of the shelter designated for people.
Because of space limitations, those who want to use the shelter during declared emergencies must pre-register and can do so in person at the Humane Society of Broward County starting June 8th. Please call 954-266-6871 or log on to www.humanebroward.com for registration information.
"The 2004 hurricane season, which saw four storms devastate large parts of Florida, showed the importance of providing a place for people to evacuate to with their companion animals," according to Laura Bevan, Director of The Humane Society of the United States' Southeast Regional Office. "Many people, especially the elderly, are unable to evacuate long distances, and don't have the financial resources to stay in hotels that allow pets. However, by staying in evacuation zones, they are putting themselves and their animals in danger. This pet friendly shelter will ensure that both people and their pets are safe."
Despite the existence of this new shelter, people who live in the emergency evacuation zone are strongly urged to make prior arrangements to go to the homes of friends and relatives who reside outside the area during declared emergencies. This is usually a more comfortable alternative for both people and pets than an evacuation shelter.
The Humane Society of Broward County is a private, non-profit organization that is supported 100% by donations from individuals and corporations who want to make a difference for the animals. The HSBC operates only one location and is not affiliated with any local or national group that shares a similar name.
The PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, has raised more than $23 million since inception in 1999. More than 2,700 non-profit grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation have received support from the Foundation. Through the PETCO Foundation, PETCO endeavors to be a community leader in promoting the welfare of companion animals, as well as the importance of the human-animal bond.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than nine million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and fieldwork. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.
SOURCE: PETCO
CONTACT: Paul Jolly of PETCO Foundation, +1-626-287-0952,
