Disaster Training Planned for Volunteers at Pet-Friendly Shelters

News Report

As the height of hurricane season approaches, Hillsborough County Animal Services will conduct disaster training for volunteers to assist at pet-friendly evacuation shelters in the event of an emergency, such as a hurricane. A two-hour exercise is planned for Saturday, Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. at the county shelter, 440 N. Falkenburg Rd. in Tampa.

Officers from Hillsborough County Animal Services will demonstrate emergency sheltering procedures, such as the citizen/pet check-in process, quick construction of stackable cages, and scanning of micro-chips. Attendees need only wear close-toed shoes and comfortable clothing, and the training is expected to last less than two hours. 

Able-bodied volunteers who enjoy helping neighbors can provide needed assistance to animal control officers operating pet-friendly shelters across Hillsborough County. Previous animal or emergency response experience is not mandatory, but anyone interested is asked to RSVP for the event. While FEMA credentials will be required for actual deployment, Incident Command (ICS) course numbers 100, 200 and 700 are available free of charge online at http://training.fema.gov/EMICourses.

Currently, four approved pet-friendly evacuation shelters are located within existing Red Cross shelters. Pets will be sheltered on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations or drop-offs permitted. Snakes or other exotics will not be admitted, and shelters only open upon order of the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations manager.

Animal Services reminds the community that now is the time to review personal and family emergency disaster plans. Pet owners should ensure that all pet vaccinations, license tags, micro-chip registration, supplies, carriers, boarding and evacuation routes are ready and up to date.

For more information or to RSVP for pet-sheltering training and volunteer sign-up event, contact Hillsborough County Animal Services at 813-744-5660 or email info@hillsboroughcounty.org.

For more on pet-friendly shelters in Hillsborough County, log onto the animal services website.