Hurricane Impacted Animals
Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control continues to request that any stray animals found are brought to the shelter at 7100 Belvedere Road for documentation and stray-hold time in an effort to reunite animals that may have become lost just prior to and immediately following a hurricane. Animals found during the time our community is impacted by a hurricane will be kept for 10 days before being available for pre-adoption. No adoption will be finalized until 30 days after the storm-impacted pet was brought to the division.
Local private shelters and/or local or out-of-town rescue organizations may not transport any storm displaced animals out of county for a period of 30 days.
Local private shelters and rescue organizations are strongly discouraged from importing any new animals into Palm Beach County during hurricane season. Local private shelters and rescue organizations are encouraged to take adoptable animals from Animal Care and Control in order to free space at the division for storm displaced pets.
Pet Friendly Hurricane Shelter
The Pet Friendly Shelter is located inside the West Boynton Recreational Center at 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth, FL 33463 and is only available to Palm Beach County residents who reside in a mandatory evacuation zone, in a mobile home, or in sub-standard housing. Proof of residency will be required.
Owners may drop pets off at the West Boynton Recreation Center Pet Friendly Shelter. After checkinging the pet(s) in, owners and family members may proceed to Park Vista High School, which is adjacent to the Pet Friendly Shelter, for human sheltering. Owners may not shelter at the PFS with their pets. Livestock, small barnyard animals and reptiles will not be accepted at the Pet Friendly Shelter.
Space is limited and all food will be provided, so please limit personal belongings to only those essential items that you will need during your stay.
Suggested items for people include:
- Personal cot or mat for sleeping
and light bedding (cots and blankets are NOT provided)
- Change of clothes for 2-3
days
- Any necessary medications and a
small container to keep them cold if necessary
- Toiletry items: toothbrush,
toothpaste, sanitary wipes, etc. (there are no showers on site)
- Any special diet items
- Chargers for your essential electronics
- Small entertainment items, such as books, board games, cards, etc.
Suggested items for pets include:
- Carrier for cats/ leash and
collar for dogs
- Pet food for 3-5
days
- Food and water bowls
- Light bedding for kennel where
pet will be housed
- Any necessary medications for your pet
- Toys, chew bones, or other small enrichment items to keep your pet calm.
- ID tags with name and phone number attached to pet’s collar or harness.
What to expect during your stay:
- All food and beverages for
people will be provided
- You will be staying inside the
gymnasium during your stay and sleeping on the gymnasium floor
- This is a disaster relief
shelter and should be used as a last resort option
- There will be designated times for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- There will be designated times for you to care for and visit with your pet as
they will be housed in a separate area – all animals rooms close down at night
for the pets and staff to rest
- Small personal coolers
are allowed to keep small items or personal medication cold, but you will not
have access to a refrigerator or the ability to bring a large cooler
This is an animal shelter, barking, meowing and other animal noises is expected.
Staff will be available on site to answer any additional questions.