Jacksonville-based First Coast No More Homeless Pets has been designated national nonprofit Best Friends Animal Society’s Florida disaster resource partner to help provide aid to pets displaced from their owners by Hurricane Irma.
“In the first phase, we are storing crates, medical supplies and pet food that will be distributed to shelters throughout the state,” said Rob Levine, First Coast No More Homeless Pets chief development officer.
He said the organization is looking for more warehouse space — about 25,000 square feet with the capacity to expand — to house the operation’s first phase.
That involves collecting donated items and supplies that will be sent to local animal welfare organizations in Tampa and along the west coast of Florida.
The second phase, Levine said, will be working with local organizations that are picking up abandoned and stray pets.
Those agencies would care for rescued pets for about 30 days while attempts are made to re-unite them with their owners.
If the pets can’t be returned to their pre-hurricane homes, they could then be adopted.
He said the nonprofit also is working with Amazon to provide an easy way for people to donate supplies that are most needed by visiting fcnmhp.org and clicking on “Hurricane Irma Hit Us Hard Donate Supplies.”
That opens an Amazon registry/wish list page with details on crates, pet food and bowls and other items that may be purchased and shipped to FCNMHP.
“We have a critical need for supplies right now,” said Levine.