9-27-22 5 p.m. Hurricane Ian Update – Animal Intakes Halted and Shelters Open

Due to Hurricane Ian, the Alachua County Animal Resources and Care animal shelter will not accept intakes this Wednesday through Friday. If you evacuate to a shelter, please do not leave your pets behind. 

Alachua County is not expecting to be impacted by Hurricane Ian until Wednesday afternoon at the earliest. Out of an abundance of caution, we are opening the shelters below immediately.

Alachua County has opened two pet-friendly, one special needs, and one general population shelter. These shelters are as follows:

Special needs shelters provide one cot per patient, not for caregivers. Caregivers are asked to bring any needed bedding. When packing to go to a shelter, please bring special dietary foods and any prescription medications. Also, bring spare clothing, personal care items (hygiene, toiletries, etc.), spare eyeglasses/contacts, and identification.

Pet-friendly shelters are intended to shelter cats, dogs, and their people safely. Citizens with pets are encouraged to bring basic pet supplies such as collars, leashes, crates, carriers, towels, blankets, pet medications, pet food, etc. Alachua County Animal Resources and Care and Community Support Services staff will be on-site to encourage both people and animal safety. Animal Resources and Care will have supplemental supplies on hand for those in need. We encourage citizens to bring veterinary records indicating their pets are properly vaccinated. However, animals without such records will be vaccinated upon intake to minimize the spread of contagious diseases. Please keep in mind that animals will need to be properly restrained throughout their stay at the emergency shelter for the safety of all involved citizens and pets.

Those with additional storm-related pet needs, such as a large number of animals needing shelter, pot-bellied pigs, horses, or exotic animals, should contact Animal Resources and Care immediately at 352-264-6870 or 311.

  

Shelters do not provide cots or beds. Bring any needed bedding. When packing to go to a shelter, please bring special dietary foods, baby food, diapers (and other child necessities), prescription medications, and a small cooler of ice if refrigeration is needed, as the shelter cannot be responsible for your medications. Also, bring spare clothing, personal care items (hygiene, toiletries, etc.), spare eyeglasses/contacts, and identification.

Those considering using the emergency shelters, please remember that shelters are a last resort and should only be used by those living in homes that are potentially unsafe in high winds (e.g. mobile homes, manufactured homes, and others), people who live in flood-prone areas, and people who have nowhere else safe to go.

Alachua County has activated the 311 Emergency Information Line for questions and rumor control. This number cannot receive texts. Please use 911 for bona fide emergencies only.

Residents are encouraged to have a basic emergency supply kit, an emergency preparedness plan, and to register for emergency alerts by texting ALACHUA TO 888-777.

See the latest from the National Weather Service in Jacksonville (This link is updated regularly). Visit Alachua County Ready for local updates.

For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or msexton@alachuacounty.us.