Michigan Shelters Accept Hurricane Pets From Florida

DETROIT, MI – Animal advocates from Michigan and Florida teamed up this weekend to help get pets out of the path of Hurricane Dorian. The hurricane made landfall in the Bahamas Sunday, and it is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to Jacksonville Tuesday.

Cats and large dogs aboard what organizers called a "rescue flight" Sunday traveled across the country to open up space in Florida shelters, which may be flooded with animals displaced by the storm and could also experience structural damage. The National Hurricane Center stated that the hurricane, which was packing 180 mph sustained winds, was expected to move "dangerously close to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday night."

The animals that left the Sunshine State for Michigan hailed from three shelters: Jacksonville Animal Protective Services, Nassau Humane Society and St. Johns County Pet Center.

About 80 pets boarded the rescue flight from Jacksonville, Florida, around 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, according to First Coast.

They arrived at Willow Run Airport Sunday afternoon and may be available for adoption by the middle of the week, WXYZ Detroit reported.

"We’re so proud when we can help support life-saving transports like this," the Humane Society of the United States - Michigan said in a statement Sunday evening.

"Thanks to you, we were able to save lives and create space for animals who may be impacted when Hurricane Dorian gets closer to Jacksonville," the statement said.

Those who would like to adopt the pets will be able to find them through these organizations:

• Michigan Humane Society
• Harbor Humane
• Capital Area Humane Society
• Michigan Animal Rescue League
• Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit

It's not the first time that Michigan shelters have stepped up to help their four-legged friends. In 2017 local rescue organizations assisted in saving animals impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

SEE ALSO:

• Warning Issued In FL As Hurricane Dorian Unleashes Fury
• FSU Game Moved From Jacksonville To Tallahassee Ahead Of Hurricane Dorian
• Hurricane Harvey: Dearborn Group Aims To Help Houston-Area Pets