Pet Friendly Shelter

As you make preparations for this year's storm season, don't forget to include your pets in your plan. Use these handy checklists to help you gather everything you'll need to keep you and your pets comfortable and safe as you ride out the storm.

Need a safe place to shelter during a storm? There are many pet friendly hotels throughout the County as well as secure boarding facilities for your pets.

. Owners may drop pets off at the West Boynton Recreation Center Pet Friendly Shelter.

After checking 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.

Equines, livestock, small barnyard animals, exotic pets, and reptiles are not accepted at the Pet Friendly Shelter. Aggressive dogs may be refused if it is determined that it is unsafe for staff to care for and handle the pet.

The Pet Friendly Shelter should be used as a last resort option in the event of a storm or other natural disaster.

Space is limited at the Park Vista Shelter so please limit personal belongings to only those essential items:

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 and entertained is it's crate.
ID tags with name and phone number attached to pet's collar or harness.
Vaccine records (all pet should be current on the rabies vaccine)

What to expect during your Pet's stay at the PFS:

Your pet will be cared for by experienced Animal Care and Control staff including,
Feeding
Cleaning
Limited walks for dogs
Dogs, cats, birds, and pocket pets will be housed separately.
This is a disaster relief shelter and should be only used as a last resort option. Check with your veterinarian or local boarding facility for additional options.

Staff will be available on site to answer any additional questions.

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.

Hurricane Impacted Animals

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.

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.

To Register for the Pet Friendly Shelter, please choose an option below:

Option 1: Online Pre-Registration. Please note that pre-registration does not guarantee your pet a spot at the Pet Friendly Shelter.

Option 2:Mail In Pet Friendly Shelter Registration Form. Please download the following form and follow the instructions for filling it out and mailing it in.