Where To Evacuate With Pets In Tampa Bay Area During Hurricane Idalia

TAMPA BAY, FL — With Hurricane Idalia approaching Florida, those living in low-lying areas or mobile home parks in several Tampa Bay areas are under mandatory evacuation orders. Residents of other areas that aren’t under an order might also consider voluntarily evacuating as a precaution ahead of the storm.

But evacuating might be difficult if you have a dog, cat or other pet to consider when escaping the hurricane.

Pet owners shouldn’t leave their furry (or feathered or scaly) friends alone if they need to evacuate during a hurricane.

“Your pets may end up being left alone for hours or days depending on severe weather, storm damage, downed power lines, road closures or other poor conditions. Wind or rain damage to your home and yard could also put your pets at risk for injury or escape in your absence,” according to the SPCA Tampa Bay website.

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Luckily, many hotel chains, including La Quinta, Motel 6, Red Roof, Red Lion and Best Western, offer pet-friendly accommodations, the agency said. And in a state of emergency, other hotel chains might ease restrictions on pets staying at their locations. Pet owners should call a hotel to double check if they allow pets before booking a room.

Petfriendlyhotels.com is also a great resource for searching for pet-friendly rooms.

Federal law also requires local governments to open some of their evacuation centers to pets.

All Tampa Bay-area counties offer at least a few pet-friendly hurricane shelters to those evacuating during Idalia, including:

Hillsborough County

• Erwin Technical College, 2010 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa
• Middleton High School, 4801 N. 22nd Street, Tampa
• Shields Middle School, 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin
• Steinbrenner High School, 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz

Manatee County

• Braden River High School, 6545 State Road 70 E., Bradenton
• Freedom Elementary School, 9515 State Road 64 E., Bradenton
• Miller Elementary School, 6325 Lorraine Road, Bradenton
• Mills Elementary School, 720069th Street E., Palmetto

Pasco County

• Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City
• Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
• Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., Hudson
• River Ridge Middle and High Schools, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
• Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel
• Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, 11611 Denton Ave., Hudson

Pinellas County

• Gibbs High School, 850 34th Street S., St. Petersburg
• Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave., Largo
• Palm Harbor University High School, 1900 Omaha Street, Palm Harbor

Sarasota County

• Atwater Elementary School, 4701 Huntsville Ave., North Port
• Booker High School, 3201 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
• Brookside Middle School, 3636 South Shade Ave., Sarasota
• Fruitville Elementary School, 601 N. Honore Ave., Sarasota
• Gulf Gate Elementary School, 6500 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota
• Heron Creek Middle School, 6501 W. Price Blvd., North Port
• North Port High School, 6400 West Price Blvd.
• Phillippi Shores Elementary School, 4747 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
• Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota
• Southside Elementary School, 1901 Webber Street, Sarasota
• Taylor Ranch Elementary, 2500 Taylor Ranch Trail, Venice
• Woodland Middle School, 2700 Panacea Blvd., North Port

The rules for pet owners vary at each location, for instance in Hillsborough County, cohabitation of pets and owners in a shelter isn’t allowed. Check the rules for each shelter before arriving.

All shelters will likely require proof of current rabies vaccination and a license for dogs and cats.

Owners will need to care for their pets while they’re in the evacuation center and should bring all supplies they might need, including a crate, food, water, litter, treats, cleaning supplies and medication.

SPCA Tampa Bay recommends that pet owners have three to five days worth of essential supplies ahead of a storm.

Pets should also be microchipped with updated owner records.

“A microchip is the fastest and most reliable way to reunite you with your pet if you become separated. It’s a cheap and easy procedure that is priceless in a time of crisis,” the agency said. “As an owner, remember that you need to keep your contact information up-to-date by calling the microchip company. Also ensure that your pet’s collar has the identification tag on it and that your contact information is accurate.”

Vaccinations should also be up-to-date to be allowed into pet-friendly shelters. These records should be part of a pet owner’s hurricane kit.