Ben Madilynn
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society is making an urgent plea on Wednesday.
There are more than 300 animals at the shelter right now, and the shelter says they need to get out before the storm makes landfall. The urgent call to the community is because the shelter is located in a flood zone.
Thousands of people in Florida are under evacuation orders. They are packing up and leaving ahead of the storm.
But animals at the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society in Fort Walton Beach don’t have that opportunity.
“We actually need foster homes,” says Tracey Kinsley with PAWS. “And that’s really what we’re pushing right now.”
Foster homes for cats and dogs are needed now more than ever.
“We are in a flood zone,” Kinsley says. “…Right now, time is of the essence.”
Across the street from PAWS is ongoing construction, which Kinsley says is built up on a slope.
“We’re worried that the flood waters are going to drain onto the property even more,” Kinsley says. “And that’s why we’re looking for foster homes and for safety.”
There are 175 dogs and145 cats on-site.
“We’ve already had the community step up a great amount,” Kinsley says. “But we still have a lot of animals that need to go into homes.”
Kinsley says home is the best place for an animal and it’s easy to be a foster, plus there is no cost.
“We provide all of the supplies,” says Kinsley. “We just ask that you provide a loving and safe environment. Dogs will go home with a crate, leash, collar and some food. And cats will go home with a litter box, litter and food as well.”
There is no application fee to foster an animal. Kinsley says you can even fill out the application and get paired up with a pet on-site, if needed.
“Even if you’re willing to do it for a couple of days while the storm passes and wanna bring the animal back on Friday or Saturday, that’s great,” says Kinsley. “But, no, we don’t have a timeline. So, if a week rolls around and you’re like, ‘Yeah, I’ll keep doing it that would be wonderful.'”
Kinsley says for the animals that don’t get fostered, they’ll still be safe. Staff will bring them inside from outdoor kennels and some will even take them home.
PAWS will be open Thursday. They are open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
