If you need to evacuate your home ahead of Hurricane Ian, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets. Please remember, if you evacuate your home, do not leave your pets behind! Pets most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.
Pet friendly evacuation shelters in Florida are coordinated by county and local emergency management agencies. Please check with your local emergency management agency for information on pet friendly shelters in your county. Local and state health and safety regulations do not permit the Red Cross to allow pets in disaster shelters. (Service animals are allowed in Red Cross shelters.). It may be difficult to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Keep a list of pet friendly hotels in your area in case you have to evacuate and your local shelter is full.
Pet Friendly Evacuation Shelters in Florida Counties – Hurricane Ian
Alachua County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Easton Newberry Archery Center, 24880 N.W. 16th Ave, Newberry, FL
Eastside High School, 1201 S.E. 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL
Pet-friendly shelters are intended to shelter cats, dogs, and their people safely. Citizens with pets are encouraged to bring basic pet supplies such as collars, leashes, crates, carriers, towels, blankets, pet medications, pet food, etc. Those with additional storm-related pet needs, such as a large number of animals needing shelter, pot-bellied pigs, horses, or exotic animals, should contact Animal Resources and Care immediately at 352-264-6870 or 311.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Alachua County
Bradford County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
Starke Elementary School, 1000 Weldon St. Starke, FL
More info on pet friendly shelters in Bradford County
Brevard County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Max K. Rodes Community Center, 3410 Flanagan Ave West Melbourne, FL 32904
Walter Butler Community Center, 4201 N Cocoa Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32927
Wickham Park Community Center, 2815 Leisure Way, Melbourne, FL 32935
Although shelters will provide food, residents going to shelters will need to take their own supplies, including bedding, folding chairs, or sleeping bags.
Transportation to Shelters is Available on Regular Bus Routes Provided by Space Coast Area Transit.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Brevard County
Charlotte County
All of Charlotte County’s evacuation centers are pet friendly. The following shelters are open:
Liberty Elementary School, 370 Atwater St. Port Charlotte, FL 33954
Neil Armstrong Elementary School, 22100 Breezeswept Ave. Port Charlotte, FL 33952
Kingsway Elementary School, 23300 Quasar Blvd. Port Charlotte, FL 33980
Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center, 23400 Harold Ave. Port Charlotte, FL 33980
More info on pet friendly shelters in Charlotte County
Citrus County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
Lecanto Primary, 3790 W Educational Path, Lecanto, FL 34461
More info on pet friendly shelters in Citrus County
Clay County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Keystone Heights High School, 900 S.W. Orchid Keystone Heights, FL 32656
Orange Park High School, 2300 Kingsley Avenue Orange Park, FL 32073
The only pets allowed are dogs, cats, rodents (such as hamsters and gerbils), rabbits, and birds, and the ADA allows a miniature horse, as long as it provided a service connected to the owner’s disability.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Clay County
Collier County
Sept. 30: Shelter services are now consolidated at Gulf Coast High School, 7878 Shark Way, Naples. Pet owners must bring their vaccination records, the appropriate size kennel for their animals, food and water for a minimum of three days, bowls and all supplies including waste bags and litter. When taking pets outside, they must remain leashed, and pet owners are responsible for picking up pet waste. There must be a family member or caretaker of the pet present in the shelter always.
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Oak Ridge Middle School, 14975 Collier Blvd, Naples, FL
Corkscrew Middle School, 1165 Oil Well Rd, Naples, FL
Golden Gate Middle School, 2701 48th Terrace SW., Naples, FL
Immokalee Middle School, 401 North 9th St, Immokalee, FL
Pet owners must bring their vaccination records, the appropriate size kennel for their animals, food and water for a minimum of three days, bowls and all supplies including waste bags and litter. When taking pets outside, they must remain leashed, and pet owners are responsible for picking up pet waste. There must be a family member or caretaker of the pet present in the shelter always.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Collier County
Desoto County
The Turner Center is open for a shelter for residents. If you need a safe place, it’s available.
It’s very cold, please bring blankets! Bring food and drink for your family. Pets are acceptable in crates.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Desoto County
Dixie County
More info on pet friendly shelters in Dixie County
Duval County
More info on pet friendly shelters in Duval County
Flagler County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open Wed., Sept. 28 at 1pm:
Bunnell Elementary, 305 N. Palmetto Street, Bunnell, FL
Residents with pets (Bunnell Elementary only):
• Animals must be crated
• Animals must have current vaccination records and supplies, including medications
• “Pets” are dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents, and turtles
• Four (4) pet maximum
• No snakes, reptiles or farm animals and livestock
• No drop offs
More info on pet friendly shelters in Flagler County
Glades County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
West Glades Elementary School, 2586 State Hwy 731, LaBelle, FL 33935
Only shelter – must bring your own food, water, bedding and supplies. Pets must be kenneled.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Glades County
Hendry County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
LaBelle Middle School, 8000 E Cowboy Way, LaBelle, FL 33935
Clewiston High School, 1501 Francisco St, Clewiston, FL 33440
Pets must be kenneled.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Hendry County
Hernando County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
The Mining Association Enrichment Center, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601
Explorer K-8, 10252 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34608
Challenger K-8 – Special Needs, 13400 Elgin Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34609
If you are needing the Special Needs Shelter and have a pet, transportation from either your house or shelter location for your pet is done through Animal Control with Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. Please call Hernando County Public Information Center at 352-754-4083 to arrange pick up.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Hernando County
Hillsborough County
Sept. 27: Hillsborough County has opened a new special-needs shelter at the Yuengling Center, 12499 USF Bull Run Drive, Tampa, on the University of South Florida campus. This shelter accepts pets for those with special needs.
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Burnett Middle, 1010 N Kingsway Rd., Seffner
Durant High School, 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City
Sickles High School, 7950 Gunn Highway, Tampa
Steinbrenner High School, 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz
Shields Middle, 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin
Bartels Middle, 9190 Imperial Oaks Blvd., Tampa
Barrington Middle, 5925 Village Center Dr., Lithia
Smith, SGT Paul Middle, 14303 Citrus Pointe Dr., Tampa
Erwin Technical, 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa (AT CAPACITY)
Sumner Elementary, 10650 Co. Rd. 672, Riverview
Strawberry Crest High School, 4591 Gallagher Rd., Dover
Riverview High School, 11311 Boyette Rd., Riverview
Cohabitation of pets and owners is not permitted.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Hillsborough County
Indian River County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
Liberty Magnet School, 6850 81st Street, Vero Beach, FL
There is no limit to the number of pets only to the type of pets. The shelter is for household pets such as cats, dogs, small rodents, birds, etc. Snakes, horses, etc. are not allowed.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Indian River County
Lake County
All of Lake County’s evacuation shelters are pet friendly. The following shelters are open:
Villages Elementary, 695 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake, FL 32159
Leesburg Elementary, 2229 South Street, Leesburg, FL 34748
Umatilla Elementary, 401 Lake Street, Umatilla, FL 32784
Lost Lake Elementary, 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont, FL 34711
Astatula Elementary, 13925 Florida Avenue, Astatula, FL 34705
Treadway Elementary, 10619 Treadway School Rd, Leesburg, FL 34788
Spring Creek Charter, 44440 Spring Creek Rd, Paisley, FL 32767
Mascotte Charter, 460 Midway Ave, Mascotte, FL 34753
Round Lake Charter, 31333 Round Lake Rd, Mount Dora, FL 32757
More info on pet friendly shelters in Lake County
Lee County
All of Lee County’s evacuation shelters are pet friendly. The following shelters are open:
Dunbar High School, 3800 Edison Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33916
East Lee County High School, 715 Thomas Sherwin Ave., Lehigh Acres, FL 33974
Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero, FL 33928
Gateway High School, 13820 Griffin Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33913
Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero, FL 33928
Island Coast High School, 2125 DeNavarra Pkwy., Cape Coral, FL 33909
Oak Hammock Middle School, 5321 Tice Street, Fort Myers, FL 33905
South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Road, Fort Myers, FL 33912
Varsity Lakes Middle School, 801 Gunnery Road North, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
Veterans Park Recreation Center, 49 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
Manatee Elementary School, 5301 Tice St., Fort Myers, FL 33905
Treeline Elementary School, 10900 Treeline Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33913
Tortuga Preserve Elementary, 1711 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
Harns Marsh Middle School, 1820 Unice Avenue N., Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
Evacuees should bring their own personal items such as personal hygiene items, clothes, bedding, food, food and water for pets, and pet crates, collar and leash as well as up-to-date vaccination records for your pet.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Lee County
Levy County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
Bronson Middle/High School, 351 Ishie Ave., Bronson, FL 32621
More info on pet friendly shelters in Levy County
Manatee County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Braden River High School, 6545 State Road 70 E., Bradenton, FL
Manatee High School, 902 33rd St. Court W., Bradenton, FL
Mills Elementary School, 7200 69th St. E., Palmetto, FL
Pet(s) must arrive with a carrier or cage. Cages will not be available on site.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Manatee County
Marion County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
Vanguard High, 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, FL 34475
All pets must be caged and it is required that pet-owners provide recent immunization documentation.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Marion County
Nassau County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
Callahan Middle School, 450121 Old Dixie Highway, Callahan, FL 32033
More info on pet friendly shelters in Nassau County
Okeechobee County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
South Elementary School, 2468 SW 7th Avenue, Okeechobee, FL 34974
Pets are required to be registered with the County and provide a crate, up to date shot records, food for at least 3-5 days, water for the animal and a litter box if the pet is a cat.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Okeechobee County
Orange County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Apopka High School, 555 Martin St., Apopka, FL 32712
Timber Creek High School, 1001 Avalon Park Blvd., Orlando, FL 32828
More info on pet friendly shelters in Orange County
Osceola County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Kissimmee Middle School 110 Dyer Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Liberty High School, 4250 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee
More info on pet friendly shelters in Osceola County
Pasco County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., Hudson, FL 34669
Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter, 11611 Denton Ave., Hudson, FL 34667
Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’Lakes, FL 34638
Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
River Ridge Middle and High Schools, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey, FL
More info on pet friendly shelters in Pasco County
Pinellas County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave., Largo, FL
Gibbs High School, 850 34th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Palm Harbor University High School, 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor, FL
Pets are only allowed in pet-friendly shelters. If you are registered for a special needs shelter and you have no other options for your pet, call Pinellas County Animal Services at (727) 582-2600 to register your pet. Animal Services will make arrangements for your pet to be taken to a host home. Pets will not be allowed to stay in the special needs shelter.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Pinellas County
Polk County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Tenoroc High School 4905 Saddle Creek Rd., Lakeland
Lake Region High School 1995 Thunder Road, Eagle Lake
Haines City High School 2800 Hornet Drive, Haines City
Pet owners must bring shot records for their pets, an airline-approved carrying case or crate and pet food.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Polk County
Sarasota County
All of Sarasota County’s evacuation shelters are pet friendly:
Atwater Elementary School 4701 Huntsville Ave., North Port
Woodland Middle School 2700 Panacea Blvd., North Port
Taylor Ranch Elementary 2500 Taylor Ranch Trail, Venice
Heron Creek Middle School 6501 W. Price Blvd., North Port
North Port High School 6400 West Price Blvd., North Port
Booker High School, 3201 North Orange Ave., Sarasota
Brookside Middle School, 3636 South Shade Ave., Sarasota
Fruitville Elementary School, 601 North Honore Ave., Sarasota
Gulf Gate Elementary School, 6500 South Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota
Phillippi Shores Elementary, 4747 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota
Southside Elementary School, 1901 Webber St., Sarasota
Pets are only permitted to enter designated “pet areas”.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Sarasota County
Seminole County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Lyman High School, 865 S Ronald Reagan Blvd, Longwood, FL 32750
Bentley Elementary School, 2190 S Oregon Ave, Sanford, FL 32771
Evacuees must bring at least three days worth of food, any medications, an extra collar or leash, comfort items such as toys and/or blankets, a photo of your pet, emergency contact information other than yourself and any important documents.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Seminole County
St. Johns County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
South Woods Elementary, 4750 State Road 206, Elkton, FL 32033
More info on pet friendly shelters in St. Johns County
St. Lucie County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, 1801 Panther Lane, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
More info on pet friendly shelters in St. Lucie County
Sumter County
All of Sumter County’s evacuation shelters are pet friendly. The following shelters are open:
Sumter Fairgrounds, 7620 SR 471. Webster, FL 33597
South Sumter High School, 706 N. Main St. Bushnell, FL 33513
There is a special needs shelter at the Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Road, Wildwood, FL 34785
More info on pet friendly shelters in Sumter County
Suwanee County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter will open Thurs., Sept. 29:
Suwannee Pineview Elementary School, 1748 S. Ohio Avenue, Live Oak, FL 32064
More info on pet friendly shelters in Suwanee County
Taylor County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelter is open:
Taylor County Elementary School, 1600 East Green Street, Perry, FL 32347
Please bring a crate for your pet and proof of vaccination.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Taylor County
Volusia County
The following pet friendly evacuation shelters are open:
Mainland High School, 1255 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL
DeLand High School, 800 N. Hill Ave., DeLand, FL
Special needs shelters are:
Atlantic High School, 1259 Reed Canal Road, Port Orange, FL
Galaxy Middle School, 2400 Eustace Ave., Deltona, FL
Those staying at a shelter with their pets must bring necessary pet items and supplies.
More info on pet friendly shelters in Volusia County
