Most public shelters do not accept pets, so if you are planning to evacuate during a storm, you must plan in advance where your pets will go. Do not leave pets home alone. It could be days or weeks before you return and your pets could starve to death, or flooding could cause needless drowning deaths.

There are pet friendly hotels and motels where the entire family can stay, located throughout the county. Put your pet into a carrier as soon as possible when you are preparing to leave, as this will reduce stress and keep them from getting lost.

Hillsborough County currently has four designated public Pet Friendly Shelters. Remember, public shelters are not resorts…and should only be considered your LAST RESORT! The owner must be registered at the public shelter in order to utilize the services of the Pet Friendly Shelter. Space is limited and you must remain at the shelter to provide care for your pet(s). *Bring proof of current rabies vaccination, a sturdy carrier, and supplies for your pet. No reservations will be accepted – first come/first served.

 

Sickles High School
7950 Gunn Hwy
Tampa, FL 33626

Burnett Middle School
1010 N Kingsway Rd.
Seffner, FL 33584

Bartels Middle School
9020 Imperial Oak Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33647

Shields Middle School
15732 Beth Shields Way
Ruskin, FL 33573

All animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have:

• Proper ID collar and rabies tag
• Proper ID on all belongings
• Carrier or cage
• Leash
• Ample food supply (at least two days)
• Water/food bowls
• Any necessary medication(s)
• Specific care instructions (i.e., medication, diet, etc.)
• Newspapers, plastic trash bags for handling waste

Pet shelters will require proof that dogs have been vaccinated during the past 12 months. All pets brought to a pet evacuation center should have a proper identification collar with leash, a properly-sized plastic or wooden carrier that allows your pet to stand and turn around, ample food supply (for at least two days) with water and food bowls, any necessary medication(s), specific instructions for edication or diet, plus newspapers and plastic trash bags for handling waste.

• Call the Hillsborough County Animal Health Foundation at 221-4804 or visit their web site at http://www.HAHF.org. Or to have a listing of boarding facilities found within Hillsborough County that are not in the flood zones mailed to you, send a stamped self-addressed envelope requesting a copy of a brochure entitled "Hurricane Preparation for Your Pet" to:
  
  Hillsborough County Animal Health Foundation
  P.O. Box 9431
  Tampa, FL. 33674
  
  
• For information on disaster preparations for large animal owners and a searchable Emergency Evacuation Resource List please visit the Sunshine State Horse Council's website located at: http://sshc.org/evac/disaster.htm.
  
• For a list of guidelines for large animal hurricane preparations, please refer to the brochure, "Hillsborough County Hurricane Guidelines for Large Animals." This brochure can be obtained by contacting the Cooperative Extension Service at (813)744-5519.
  
• For a listing of some hotels that will accept pets during an emergency, please visit PetsWelcome.com's site at http://www.petswelcome.com/milkbone/framelist.html.
  
• For more information on disaster preparedness, there is: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s Web site at www.fema.gov and Bay Area Disaster Animal Response Team's (DART) Web site at http://www.bayareadart.org/.