Manatee County shelters are over capacity after Debby

PALMETTO, Fla. — In the aftermath of Hurricane Debby, Manatee County Animal Welfare is facing an overwhelming influx of stray pets. 

If your furry friend has gone missing, now is the time to act, said Jennifer Hume, the animal care division manager.

“It’s been hard work cleaning up after the storm, but we also have had a huge influx of animals,” she said.

Hume said the shelter in Palmetto has taken in a staggering 130 animals since the storm, and before that, the shelter was already full. Now, they have a total of more than 300 animals including dogs, cats and rabbits.

To help people find their pets, the shelter is extending stray hold times for areas hit the hardest.

“For cats, it's typically three days and for dogs, it's five. Right now we are extending some of those hold times to 14 days for those heavily affected by the flooding,” she said.

Hume said some of these animals wandered out during the storm and lost their way back home and hopes they can be reunited with their families. The shelter also has waived all reclaim and adoption fees.

Since this won’t be the last severe weather of the season, Hume has some advice for pet owners, to collar any of these issues for the next storm.  

“Just make sure if you’re letting your dogs out for potty breaks or taking them on walks that they are fully secured, checking fences and gates so they can’t jump over because they get spooked really easily, and when they hear thunder they might just jet off,” she said. 

Manatee County Animal Welfare is open seven days a week at the Cat Town Adoption Center in Bradenton, Bishop Animal Shelter in Bradenton and Palmetto Adoption Center. You can also check out their Facebook and Instagram pages for any updates on available animals.