PEARL RIVER CO., MI (WLOX) – As Floridians rush to escape the path of Hurricane Milton, finding their own shelter isn’t the only concern. Some people need shelter for their pets, livestock, and other animals.
Erin Regan Animal Sanctuary in Pearl River County is lending a helping hand to evacuees in need of animal protection.
“I’ve lived there for 41 years and I’ve never been evacuated. I got through it. This was huge, I just couldn’t follow,” an emotional Katherine Miller said. Masu.
Miller is one of the thousands of Floridians who left their homes to escape the path of Hurricane Milton.
She and her family came to the animal sanctuary from Ridge Manor, Florida, about an hour from Tampa.
“I had a gut feeling that it was going to be really bad,” Miller began. “Bad, bad, bad. It felt like the roof was going to blow off. Storms are scary (which they usually aren’t), but they’re not that bad. So I told him, “I have to go.” I said.”
The decision to evacuate was not easy. The family brought seven dogs but left behind dozens of other animals with no way to carry them such distances.
“We had to make a decision, and that decision was to leave the horses and goats in the field. We decided to wait for the results,” Miller explains.
Tracy Brino is the president of the animal sanctuary. She says she wanted to create space for as many animals as possible to prevent more people from having to make difficult decisions.
“I can’t say how many people are interested, but unfortunately a lot of people say they can’t get out of the state because of highway congestion and gas shortages. But probably about 20 people. When the time comes, we’ll probably have about 40 animals,” says Brino.
Tracy’s Facebook post was viewed and shared by more than 100,000 people.
Donors have raised more than $5,000 and more supplies are being sent from wishlist purchases.
“We have 40 acres, and we have six empty barns,” Brino said. “We have a small meadow with a separate gate where we can let anything go: goats, sheep, llamas. Some people bring cows, horses, pigs…of course rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs. One family brought seven dogs, another brought 15 dogs and a parrot, so you can literally stay with anything.”
There are also other families and pets seeking shelter at the farm where they are expected to arrive Wednesday.
Brino said the shelter will remain an option for evacuees and their pets for about two weeks.
To donate to the sanctuary or view your wish list, please visit the following link: Donate – Erin Regan Animal Sanctuary and Rescue
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