It's Baaack

It's that time of year again. The time most Floridians take in stride, but quietly prepare for. Hurricane season. Storms like Andrew and Katrina taught us alot about how unprepared we really were. Many people who endured Katrina abandoned their pets to the ravages of the storm. Some stayed in their homes because they wouldn't leave their pets, which emphasized the need for pet friendly evacuation shelters. Do you know which shelters in your area would welcome you and your pets? Florida Pets. Net keeps an up to date description of shelter information along with a list of shelters in Florida. They also provide an excellent Hurricane Check List. Hillsborough County only has two pet friendly shelters. They are Sickles High School and Burnett Middle School. County Commissioner Rose Ferlita and the Community of Hillsborough Animal and Agricultural Response Team CHAART, are working to provide more shelters to accommodate the estimated 500,000 pets in Hillsborough County.

So, while you're stocking your pantry with emergency supplies, checking your first aid kits, and dragging out the storm shutters, be sure to keep your pets in mind. They count on you to think ahead for them.