After Hurricane Irma pummeled Florida’s west coast, causing devastating storm surges and widespread power outages, Alley Cat Allies rushed to the region Tuesday to provide vital supplies to local animal shelters and members of our Feral Friends Network® to help cats affected by the storm.
Our expert disaster response staff delivered cases of critical food, blankets, towels, and other necessities to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in Palm City, Operations CatSnip, and Caring Fields Felines. The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast had served as an emergency hurricane shelter for more than 100 animals whose guardians evacuated but couldn’t bring them along.
As residents began to return to the area on Tuesday, our staff witnessed happy reunions at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast when a steady stream of guardians were overjoyed to pick up their animals and head home. For many of these residents, it could be a long road ahead as they rebuild their homes and communities damaged by the storm.
Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on September 10, barreling across the Keys and leaving a trail of destruction as it moved along the state’s west coast and into the southeastern United States. Just two weeks earlier, Alley Cat Allies’ bilingual expert disaster response team hit the ground in Texas and Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
The recovery in the days, weeks, and months ahead will be challenging. Alley Cat Allies will continue to support local organizations and cats affected by those back-to-back hurricanes. To support our hurricane relief efforts, donate here.