In preparation for Hurricane Irma, the Waldo Community School (14450 NE 148th Avenue, Waldo) will be opened as a Pet Friendly Shelter on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 5 p.m. The Waldo Pet Friendly Shelter is intended to safely shelter cats, dogs, and their people. Citizens with pets are encouraged to bring basic pet supplies such as collars, leashes, crates, carriers, towels, blankets, pet medications, pet food, etc. Alachua County Animal Services along with Community Support Services staff will be on site to encourage both public and animal safety. Animal Services will have supplemental supplies on hand for those in need. We also encourage citizens to bring veterinary records indicating their pets are properly vaccinated. However to minimize the spread of contagious disease, animals without such records will be vaccinated upon intake. Please keep in mind that for the safety of all involved, both citizens and pets, animals will need to be properly restrained throughout their stay at the emergency shelter.
Due to the prevalence of pet related allergies, citizens without pets are encouraged to seek shelter at one of the other available locations. Two other shelters will open Friday, September 8, 2017 at 10 a.m.: A special needs shelter at the Alachua County Senior Center (5701 N.W. 34th Blvd., Gainesville), and a general population shelter located at The Easton Newberry Sports Complex (24880 N.W. 16th Ave., Newberry).
If you have additional storm-related pet needs, such as a large number of animals needing shelter, pot-bellied pigs, horses, or exotic animals, please contact Animal Services immediately at 352-264-6870 or 311.
For those considering using the emergency shelters, please remember that shelters are a last resort, and should only be used by those living in homes that are potentially unsafe in high winds (e.g. mobile homes, manufactured homes and others), people who live in flood-prone areas, and people who have nowhere else safe to go.
Shelters do not provide cots or beds. Bring any needed bedding. When packing to go to a shelter, please bring special dietary foods, baby food, diapers (and other child necessities), prescription medications, a small cooler of ice if refrigeration is needed as the shelter cannot be responsible for your medications. Also bring spare clothing, personal care items (hygiene, toiletries, etc.), spare eyeglasses/contacts, and identification.
To stay informed about current conditions and threats from Hurricane Irma, please call 311, the Alachua County Information and Rumor Control Line. Please use it to verify the most up to the minute information on Hurricane Irma. This number cannot receive texts. Please use 911 for bona fide emergencies only.
Residents are encouraged to have a basic emergency supply kit, an emergency preparedness plan, and to register for emergency alerts at www.AlertAlachua.com.