By Selena Hardy, American Red Cross

The impact of Hurricane Ian was traumatic for hundreds of thousands of Florida residents, and no less so for those who have sheltered in any of 10 American Red Cross shelters across the Sunshine State these last few weeks.

Red Cross shelters provide comfort, hot food, relief supplies and other assistance to all its residents, but it’s a special experience when shelter staff – who are often pet lovers themselves – can welcome service animals and domesticated pets.

“The dogs and cats are like part of the community here,” said Raina Kadavil, a shelter volunteer at the Hertz Arena shelter in Fort Myers. “A lot of them are so sweet, and most of the owners are happy to have you kind of interact with them and pet them.” 

These furry residents provide a sense of stability and comfort to those who have had to evacuate due to the storm and may be facing huge losses at home.

Storm survivor Susan Hare came to the Hertz Arena shelter with her Shih Tzu, Delilah, and Boston Bull Terrier mix, Trique. “This is a new experience for me. I have never been in a shelter before,” she said.

Hare, who struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), especially appreciated the way the Red Cross handled the shelter transition from the arena to a space in North Fort Myers. “They are definitely keeping things cool, calm, and collected," she said. Even the pets have been well-behaved and quiet.

Many community buildings across south Florida were quickly opened as Red Cross evacuation shelters as Hurricane Ian slammed across the state, but as areas begin to recover, those buildings need to return to their prior use. Red Cross shelter staff work hard to make those transitions as comfortable as possible, knowing that residents have already faced traumatic upheavals. 

The presence of service animals and beloved pets helps ease the stress of these moves.

American Red Cross relief is free to anyone with disaster-caused needs, thanks to the generosity of the American people. If you would like to support the Hurricane Ian response financially, visit redcross.org, text the words IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or call 1-800-HELP NOW.