If you need to evacuate your home ahead of Hurricane Idalia, 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 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.
Check your county below to find a pet friendly shelter in your area.
Pet Friendly Evacuation Shelters in Florida Counties – Hurricane Idalia
Alachua County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelters are open:
The Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center – 1028 N.E. 14th Street, Gainesville, FL.
The Easton-Newberry Sports Complex – 24880 N.W. 16th Avenue, Newberry, FL
In addition, Putnam County is opening a pet-friendly shelter at Ochwilla Elementary School (299 State Road 21, Hawthorne) at 5 p.m. today. This is the closest shelter for Hawthorne residents.
Citizens with pets are encouraged to bring basic pet supplies such as collars, leashes, crates, carriers, towels, blankets, pet medications, pet food, etc. Animal Resources will have supplemental supplies on hand for those in need. We encourage citizens to bring veterinary records indicating their pets are properly vaccinated. However, animals without such records will be vaccinated upon intake to minimize the spread of contagious diseases. Please remember that animals must be properly restrained throughout their stay at the emergency shelter for the safety of all involved citizens and pets.
Bay County Florida Emergency Services
Bradford County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Bradford County Fairgrounds – 2300 N. Temple Ave., Bradford, FL.
If you are bringing your pet it must be in a crate and have its own water and food supply.
Citrus County Sheriff’s Office
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Renaissance Center – 3630 W Educational Path, Lecanto, FL 34461.
Clay County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelters are open:
Keystone Heights High School – 900 Orchid Ave, Keystone Heights, FL 32656.
Orange Park High School – 2300 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073.
Clay County – Pet Disaster Preparedness
The following animal species accepted into the shelters will be: Dogs, Cats, Rodents (such as hamsters, gerbils, etc.), Rabbits, and Birds. No reptiles will be allowed. Clay County does not have any accommodations to assist with housing or evacuation of horses or livestock in the event of a natural disaster. Horse owners should make arrangements in advance to have their horse trailered and a location to evacuate with them.
Columbia County Florida Emergency Management
Dixie County Emergency Services
There are no pet friendly shelters in Dixie County but Alachua County will have two pet-friendly shelters open.
Duval County/JaxReady
The following pet friendly shelters are open:
Chimney Lakes Elementary School – 9353 Staples Mill Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32244.
Landmark Middle School – 101 Kernan Blvd. N, Jacksonville, FL 32225.
Duval County/JaxReady – Pet Friendly Shelter Information
Animal Care and Protective Services provide support for the Pet-Friendly Shelters. The following animal species will be accepted into the shelters: dogs, cats, rodents (such as hamsters, gerbils, etc.), birds, rabbits. No reptiles will be allowed in the shelters.
Flagler County Emergency Services
Flagler County Evacuation Shelter
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Rymfire Elementary School – 1425 Rymfire Drive, Palm Coast, FL.
Franklin County Florida Emergency Management
Starting Aug. 29 at 5 p.m., Leon County in coordination with Leon County Schools will open four emergency shelters for residents in need in preparation for storm-related impacts.
Gadsden County
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Gadsden County High School (East) (Special Needs and Pets) – 27001 Blue Star Highway, Havana, FL 32333.
Pet owners who bring their pets to the shelter must bring a crate, food, a leash, and a copy of their pet’s current vaccination records.
Gilchrist County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Bell Elementary School – 2771 E Bell Avenue, Bell, FL.
Gulf County, Florida Emergency Management
Hardee County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Bowling Green Elementary School – 4530 Church Ave., Bowling Green, FL 33834.
Hernando County
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
D. S. Parrott Middle School – 19220 Youth Dr., Brooksville, FL 34601.
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 (PIC) at 352-754-4083 to arrange pick up. The PIC will open 8am on Monday, August 28, 2023.
Hillsborough County Florida Government
The following pet friendly shelters are open:
Shields Middle School – 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573.
Middleton High School – 4801 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33610.
Steinbrenner High School – 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz, FL 33558.
Special Needs Shelter – Erwin Technical, 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33610 (Pet-friendly).
Residents bringing pets to the pet-friendly shelters need to bring a sturdy carrier for each pet that allows room for the pet to stand up and move around, as well as a collar with a leash and supplies for each pet to last seven days.
Hillsborough County Emergency Shelters
To shelter your pet in case of emergency you must bring: Proof of current rabies vaccination and license for dogs and cat; Pet must be on a leash or in a carrier; A crate large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around. Cats need a crate large enough to contain litter and food/water; Bring all pet supplies to include: crate, food, water, litter, treats, cleaning supplies, medicines, etc. You are responsible for the care of your pet while in the shelter. Cohabitation of pets and owners is not permitted.
Hillsborough County – Pet Disaster Planning
Hillsborough County’s pet friendly shelters are equipped to handle dogs and cats only. Limited space is available. Your pet will be housed separately from you and you will have limited access to visit your pet. You are responsible for the care and well-being of your animal. You will be scheduled a minimum of twice a day to feed, clean and walk your pet.
Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office
Lafayette County will NOT open a shelter at Lafayette High School 160 NE Hornet Lane due to expected winds in excess of 110mph. Alternate shelters are in Branford, FL at Branford Elementary 26801 SR 247 Branford, FL, in Live Oak, FL at Pineview Elementary School (Pet Friendly) 1748 Ohio Ave S Live Oak, FL.
Lake County Florida Emergency Management
All of Lake County’s evacuation shelters are pet friendly. The following shelters are open:
Villages Elementary School – 695 Rolling Acres Rd, Lady Lake, FL 32159.
Lost Lake Elementary School – 1901 Johns Lake Rd, Clermont, FL 34711.
Leon County Emergency Information
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Chiles High School – 7200 Lawton Chiles Lane, Tallahassee, FL 32312.
Levy County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Bronson Middle/High School – 351 Ishie Avenue Bronson, FL 32621.
Citizens with animals that need to be sheltered need to bring a crate, food, bottled water (1-gallon jug per animal), and any medications. Owners must provide a Rabies vaccine certificate and proof of distemper parvo/ feline distemper vaccine. Levy County Animal Services will provide vaccines for an additional $10.00 per vaccine. All animals will be sheltered at the Levy County Animal Control shelter if you cannot provide proof of vaccinations. Citizens who have pet questions should call (352) 486-5138.
Madison County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Madison County Central School – 2093 W US 90, Madison, FL 32340.
Bring a crate or kennel for your animal; bring food for the animal; animals are housed in a separate area NOT with the general population; you are responsible for feeding, walking and caring for your animal while at the shelter.
Manatee County, Florida Government
Manatee County – Emergency Shelters
The following pet friendly shelters are open:
Freedom Elementary School – 9515 FL 64, Bradenton 34212.
Jesse P. Miller Elementary School – 601 43rd St. W, Bradenton 34209.
Virgil Mills Elementary School – 7200 69th Street E. Palmetto 34211.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
The following pet friendly shelters are open:
Lake Weir High School: 10351 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL 34472.
Vanguard High School: 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, FL 34475.
Marion County – Hurricane Preparedness
You should keep paperwork documenting your pet’s immunizations because many kennels will not accept pets that are behind on their shots. Bring your pet in a carrier with sufficient food. If you don’t go to a public shelter, bring your pet with you in a carrying cage. Bring along a familiar toy, a leash and any medication. Have current identification for each pet in case of separation.
Nassau County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Wildlight Elementary – 550 Curiosity Ave, Yulee, FL 32097.
This shelter will accept the general population, special needs residents, and pets with Rabies vaccinations.
Orange County, Florida Government
Orange County, Florida Shelters
The following pet friendly shelters are open:
Barnett Park – 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL
South Econ Recreation Center – 3850 S. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL
Pasco County FL Government
All shelters in Pasco County allow family pets. The following shelters are open:
• Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City.
• Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes.
• Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Avenue, Hudson.
• River Ridge Middle and High Schools, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey.
• Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., (Special Needs & General Population), Wesley Chapel.
• Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, (Special Needs & General Population), 11611 Denton Avenue, Hudson.
Pasco County Animal Services shelter in Land O’ Lakes will be closed Tuesday, August 29th and Wednesday, August 30th in order to assist with pet friendly hurricane shelters.
Pinellas County Emergency Shelters
The following pet friendly shelters are open:
Largo High School – 410 Missouri Ave, Largo, FL 33770.
Gibbs High School – 850 34th St. S, St. Petersburg
Palm Harbor University High School, 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor, FL 34683 (special needs and pets).
Polk County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelter will be opening Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.:
Tenoroc High School – 4905 Saddle Creek Rd., Lakeland, FL
Polk County – Emergency shelters
Only dogs, cats and birds and their owners will be allowed to shelter in Polk’s pet-friendly shelters.
Putnam County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelter will be opening Aug. 29 at 5 p.m.:
Ochwilla Elementary School – 299 State Road 21, Hawthorne, FL
This is the closest shelter for Hawthorne residents.
Sarasota County Emergency Services
Sarasota County Hurricane Evacuation Centers
All of Sarasota County’s evacuation shelters are pet friendly. All 12 Sarasota County emergency shelters are open.
Sumter County Sheriff’s Office
All evacuation shelters in Sumter County are pet friendly The following shelter is open:
Sumter County Fairgrounds – 7620 State Route 471, Webster, Fl 33597.
Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, Division of Emergency Management
Suwannee County Emergency Management
The following pet friendly shelter is open:
Suwannee Pineview Elementary School – 1748 Ohio Avenue South, Live Oak, FL 32064.
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Division of Emergency Management
The shelter at the Taylor County Elementary School will be closed due to recent weather updates. Please see the list of shelters that will be open in Leon County.
Volusia County Emergency Management
All evacuation shelters will accept pets. The following shelters are open:
Volusia County Fairgrounds – 3150 E. New York Ave., DeLand, FL
Hester Building, Volusia County Fairgrounds (individuals who lack permanent housing).
Florida Department of Health, 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach (special needs shelter).
Additionally, the Bridge at the Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, 421 S. Palmetto Ave., DeLand, will open to the community at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30. Clients may remain inside throughout the day and may stay at the shelter overnight into Thursday morning.
Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office
For those who are evacuating and need to utilize a pet friendly shelter the following location is available in Leon County: Chiles High School, 7200 Lawton Chiles Lane, Tallahassee, FL 32312.
More information on pet friendly shelters in Florida
