Alaqua Animal Refuge takes in dogs from shelters throughout florida in hurricane preparation

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) — Hurricane Milton is not only threatening property, but also animals. With people all over Florida evacuating, some are staying behind to help get shelter animals to safer ground.

Alaqua Animal Refuge partnered with Wings of Rescue, the Humane Society of the United States, and Maddie’s Fund, to provide shelter for dozens of dogs on Tuesday.

An overwhelming volunteer effort helped Alaqua complete a quick turn around from hurricane Helene, to prepare shelter space for these animals.

Wings of Rescue flew the dogs from shelters in South Florida and safely transported them to the animal sanctuary in Freeport.

“So typically we have 400 active volunteers here at Alaqua, which is pretty amazing. But knowing what we were about to get in and not knowing the scope of what we were going to need for one of the first times we put out publicly on social media that we were looking for volunteers. So they signed up, we got them quickly out of the system and that’s what a lot of these people are here today for sure.” Said Laurie Hood, founder and CEO of Alaqua Animal Refuge.

To join the volunteer effort sign up at https://alaqua.org/how-to-help/volunteer/ , you can also donate funds to support the purchases of kennels, leashes, collars, and other necessities here. https://secure.qgiv.com/for/sfcpsj/

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.