Love of pets unites helpers in hurricane aftermath

South Florida resident Paul White likes to spend his afternoons with his best friends — the canine variety. So each day he volunteers at Pinellas County Animal Services in Largo, where he walks dogs, gets them to their medical appointments, facilitates adoptions, and, most important of all, just enjoys their company.

Never mind that recent hurricanes Helene and Milton took everything he owned. Helene flooded the bottom floor of his apartment. Then Milton took off the roof and flooded the top floor. Still, despite being in between domiciles, each afternoon he faithfully shows up to spend the best part of his day with his buddies.

“I’m here because I just love doing this,” says Paul, who’s in his fifth year helping out at the shelter. “I love all of the dogs here equally. Every time we get a new group in, they all become my favorites.”

The one-two punch of Helene-Milton put a strain on all the animal shelters along Florida’s Gulf Coast, so Best Friends sent staff members and volunteers to five shelters in the area to give shelter workers, like Paul, a break. Of the 18 Best Friends staff people who came to Florida, nine are lending a hand at Pinellas County.  

"In times of crisis, our staff is always willing to be the first ones to jump in and support,” says Fraily Rodriguez, Best Friends senior director of lifesaving. “While yes, we are here to help the animals, you can see the human side when you meet the shelter staff and volunteers who are in need of our support.”

[Helping hands for pets in 2 Florida shelters]

Amy Kohlbecker, whose regular job is director of Cat World at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, says she and her colleagues roll up their sleeves each morning and get right to the basics.

“All of us help with the laundry,” Amy says. “Like when we came in last Sunday, we did about 25 loads. And each day when we arrive, we immediately start walking dogs. And we pretty much keep going all day long.”

Best Friends staff people Melissa Jones and David Owens are at Ross Norton Emergency Evacuation Center in nearby Clearwater, where displaced people and their pets have been staying since the storms hit.

They work the night shift, caring for 27 dogs and 15 cats belonging to people displaced by the storms who stay in an adjacent building. Starting at 8 p.m., they handle last-minute dog walks, feeding, watering, cleaning, and, of course, tucking everyone in for the night.

“Working with both people and their animals has been a different level of engagement for me,” says David, who is with Best Friends’ shelter collaborative team. “It’s gratifying to be able to give people a sense of comfort that their animals are safe while they’re trying to figure out next steps in their lives.”

Likewise, Melissa wanted to do hands-on work that was different from her job as a shelter engagement manager. “It’s been a heartwarming experience watching how much the people staying here love their pets. And they’re so grateful to us for helping take care of them.”

Among the people and pets at the Ross Norton center are Celia Dalgo and her cat, Casper. At first, she noticed a little water seeping under the door of her bottom-floor apartment. But it rose quickly, enveloping the furniture and her air-conditioning.

Celia says Casper hates to get inside a carrier, but somehow, she was able to coax him in. By then the water was almost waist deep, so she lifted Casper, safely inside the carrier, over her head and started pushing through the water. A taller neighbor helped carry Casper, and they were able to take refuge and spend the night on the staircase of a local restaurant. The next day they moved to the center.

There are many similar stories from people staying with their pets at the center: Bonnie Sylvano and her dog Bode, Mark Alviani and his dog Mimi, Mark Burleson and his black cat Cotton. Each person has a story to tell, and each one has a message of gratitude, strength, and support.

Collis McKenzie, communications outreach and educational support specialist for the Pinellas County shelter, says the employees who worked extremely long hours through the storms appreciate having Best Friends team members working alongside them.

“It’s a dream come true having you guys hit the ground running right when you arrived,” Collis says. “Every person on your staff is wonderful and helpful. We need more organizations like you to pitch in.”

[Pets get lifesaving lifts out of Hurricane Milton’s path]

And then there’s Paul, who appreciates the help but still has no intention of taking a day off, despite having to find a new place to live. He’s all business.

“Did you see the big list of adoptions we had today?” he says excitedly. “Hazel went. Brownie went early this afternoon. And Natasha, Morgan, Cheyenne, and Ruthie all went this morning. We had a really great day.”

Formerly without a pet at home because his building wouldn’t allow it, a smiling Paul says that’s about to change. “If they allow it in my new place, I’ll have at least one. Maybe two.”

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.