TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Nearly 50 animals were transported from Tampa in search of a new home after their shelters sustained damage from Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
On Friday, 26 dogs and 20 cats flew from Tampa to Evansville, Indiana, where two local shelters will pick them up— Vanderburgh Humane Society in Evansville and Warrick Humane Society in Newburgh, to be put up for adoption.
Polk County officials seek owners of 102 pets found during Hurricane Milton
The animals flew with Wings of Rescue, which is a non-profit and pet-transport organization. They only transport the pets who are ready to be adopted.
The pets from Pinellas County Animal Services and the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County had to be evacuated during the storms due to damage.
The animals were also transferred to make room for the lost pets during the hurricanes, hoping they could be reunited with their owners.
“It is critical in disasters that local shelters have space to accommodate lost pets so they can be reunited with their owners,” Wings of Rescue said. “We help shelters by evacuating pets already up for adoption to other shelters that have open kennel space.”