Volunteers are utilized all over central Florida . Donations are coming in by the truckload. Foster homes are starting to receive animals. The humane organizations and animal shelters are working round the clock making sure every animal that needs help gets it. The work is far from over, but response is starting to become recovery. And recovery is the last step in the return to normalcy. The system is working, and it works because there are caring people who are willing to help their neighbor in a time of need. It doesn't matter if that neighbor has four legs or two, fur, fins, scales, or feathers. As headlines switch to news not related to the hurricane, and less is seen on the TV about the recovery efforts, we must not forget - there are families still without homes, animals still roaming the streets searching for their families, sanctuaries still removing debris so that cages can be rebuilt, the list goes on...
In many counties, volunteers continue to sweep neighborhoods looking for any animals affected by the storm. Pets are caught, livestock is being rounded up.
Along highway 17, more than a dozen goats were wandering the highway. Only 2 have been captured so far. The rest, well they are probably munching on grass and flowers in someone's yard, but until they are caught, they are in danger of getting hit by a car or worse. Also along highway 17, officials captured two lions escaped from a wildlife sanctuary.
Calls have flooded in to AnimalHelp.Com regarding some of the sanctuaries and wildlife facilities. Lions, Tigers Bears, Inc is ok. They had some escapes but all animals have been recovered. The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) also survived relatively well out on Sanibel Island. See the CROW update for more information. Peace River Ranch a Wildlife Refuge in Zolfo Springs had some damage, but all the animals survived except one. A Patagonian cavy died from what is believed to be storm induced stress. These wild exotic animals are particularly susceptible to environmental stress. A serpentarium housing approximately 400 of the world's most venomous snakes lost not one of these dangerous reptiles. Wildlife rehabilitators all over central Florida are working around the clock caring for orphaned birds, squirrels, raccoons, and any other native wildlife.
Domestic animals are also receiving help. Dogs, cats, birds and other pets are receiving care at numerous locations throughout the state. In a field in Charlotte County , volunteers and rescue workers receive pets found wandering loose. Sheltering and veterinary care is set up in DeSoto and Manatee counties too.
