Staff members from SPCA Tampa Bay are headed to the Florida Panhandle Saturday morning to rescue dozens of animals from areas impacted by Hurricane Michael.
The powerful and destructive hurricane left the Franklin County Humane Society with no power, no water and no indication of when either will be back.
So early Saturday morning, SPCA Tampa Bay packed up and hit the road. The SPCA will bring back about 15 dogs and 35 cats that were at the Franklin County Humane Society before the hurricane hit. This will help make room at the shelter for animals that were displaced by the storm.
“If we can help Franklin County by taking animals that were already in their shelter before the storm hit, get those out of there so they’ve got some space, we can get those animals up and out for adoption here in our community,” said Martha Boden, the CEO of SPCA Tampa Bay. “And then they’ve got some room to respond to whatever their community needs.”
Staff from the Pinellas County Humane Society are also making the trip Saturday morning and will be bringing medical supplies.
The SPCA Tampa Bay staff members who made the trip to the Panhandle have posted photo updates of a puppy they’re rescuing named Michaela and a kitten they’re rescuing named Michael.
In a statement to WFLA, the Franklin County Humane Society expressed how much they appreciate the help.
“We are a small, rural facility and the only shelter serving our entire county. We’re currently without power, running water and have no indication of when we may get those things back,” Executive Director Karen Malsberger Martin said. “We can maintain the health of our animals for a couple more days but we would have been unable to sustain long-term in these conditions. Our partners’ help is desperately needed and we’re so very thankful.”
The local crews are expected to arrive back in the Tampa Bay area Saturday evening. They tell News Channel 8 they left enough room in their vans to help out other shelters along the way if needed.
Next Saturday, the SPCA will host an adoption event where fees will be waived. Some of the animals being rescued from Franklin County may be up for adoption at the event, depending on their condition.
The SPCA of Tampa Bay has also set up a page on its website to accept donations.
