A ‘mega-adoption’ event took place in Florida over the weekend, even after Hurricane Ian swept through the area. FOX 13 reported that dogs from across the Tampa Bay area were brought to the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City. Altogether, neighboring Pasco, Hillsborough, Marion, and Sumter County rescue shelters helped put on the event. During the event, which took place from Friday to Sunday, over 100 dogs were up for adoption by the general public.
Adoption, Event in the Path of a Storm
This is the second mega-adoption event taking place in Florida. Beginning in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic withheld the event for two years. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case this year. According to the event’s hosts, the event was especially important this year with the number of pandemic dogs being surrendered. Chelsea Waldeck, from the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, said, “It’s actually a national crisis. Right now we’re seeing overcrowding throughout the country.”
Yet, it seems the crisis may begin to worsen in Florida. Hurricane Ian’s path of destruction left many dogs abandoned. Fortunately, many people took the evacuation orders seriously and fled with their pets before the storm’s landfall. Even so, for those who lost their homes, it can be difficult to care for a displaced pet. As such, Florida’s rescue shelters are expecting even more dogs to enter their facilities.
“We’re working closely with the shelters down south to see what their needs are right now,” Waldeck told FOX 13. “They’re still assessing everything, trying to get everything organized, but we would love to be able to make some room to be able to assist them.”
Luckily, groups around the country are helping Florida’s dogs out. Hopefully, all the dogs affected by the hurricane will find new forever homes either in Florida or another state. As a reminder, DogTime reminds you to always “adopt, don’t shop.”
