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Programs & Services Overview

Florida Animal Shelter Emergency Assistance and Guidelines

Hurricanes Helene and Milton

For Florida shelters facing non-life-threatening, but urgent, situations, due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton please reach out to Keegan Spera with the UF Shelter Medicine Program’s Disaster Assessment Team.

Keegan is available through:

You also need to reach out to your county’s ESF-17 Coordinator or Emergency Management Director. Their contact information is here.

Tell them you need to submit a Mission Request for assistance, as you have exhausted your local, county, and surrounding county’s resources and still have urgent unmet needs.

You must be specific and detailed in your request (ex: 400 pounds of dry adult dog food to feed 50 dogs for 1 week; 400 pounds of non-clumping kitty litter for 100 cats for 1 week; 150 gallon water buffalo for water to clean the shelter as there is currently no clean, running water; 500 gallon water buffalo for potable water).

If you are not specific, detailed, and have not exhausted all of the resources locally, from your county, or surrounding counties, your request may be denied.

You can also have someone from the UF team help you organize your request before you submit it.

Update your emergency contacts
  • Update your emergency response shelter contact information:
    • We need your shelter’s primary point person’s contact information (work email, personal email, personal mobile number, work mobile number office number, social media/messenger app(s) and username(s)) and a secondary contact’s same information.
    • Losing power during storms is expected. Cell phone service, while more reliable than landlines, may also be interrupted. Social apps (such as Facebook Messenger, Instagram DM, and WhatsApp) are often our most reliable method for reaching you in certain situations. They were immensely helpful through Hurricane Helene.

We will not use this information for any other purpose, and all emergency contact information will remain confidential at UF. It will only be shared with other responding organizations used to coordinate assistance pre-, during, or post-disaster.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton Disaster Response Grants

Kindly compiled by Jennifer Miller (last updated October 10, 2024)

General Requirements of Grant Applications

Get these documents organized in advance as they will be needed for most grant applications

  • IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter
  • Federal Tax ID Number (EIN)
  • Current Budget
  • Previous Year: Overall revenue, overall expenses, P&L financial statement
  • Copies of IRS 990 forms

Common Grant Application Questions

Reminders

  • When the grant is awarded, read the recognition and report requirements carefully. Those are a contractual obligation that you must fulfill. 
  • Track all spending. Reading the final report before you start spending will provide you with the metrics you’ll need to track.
  • Photos and impact stories are essential! Funders share your stories in order to solicit more donations and in turn can help more organizations. 
  • Funders want to help you in the best way possible, so if your plan/project changes direction, reach out to them with a prepared backup plan/budget of how you’d like to spend the funds.
GrantorGrant NameGrant InfoApplication TimeframeAmountEligibilityGrant UseApplication LinkMaterials Needed to ApplyContact
ASPCA2024 ASPCA Hurricane Response & Relief Grantshttps://www.aspcapro.org/helenegrantsCloses 12/2/24, approved on rolling basis.$5000 – $50,000 (requests for other amounts will be considered, total fund is $1M)Located in or responding to an area affected by Helene or Milton in FL, GA, NC, SC & TN. Full Eligibility Guidelines.Direct expenses including (but not limited to) sheltering supplies, community pet supplies, animal transportation costs, staff overtime and related costs, medical supplies, veterinary care.https://airtable.com/appPgjFngLapeTKU9/pagk7uIZlwGB2yL2F/formhttps://www.aspcapro.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/2024-hurricane-response-companion.pdfgrants@aspca.org
Banfield FoundationDisaster Relief Grantshttps://www.banfieldfoundation.org/Banfield-Foundation-Grant-ProgramsOpen all yearUp to $10,000Nonprofit or governmental agency, such as municipal or county animal control, with an animal welfare mission or a direct relationship with an animal welfare organization.
Have been directly affected by a recent disaster or emergency situation and/or are assisting in an affected area.		-Medical supplies and veterinary care treatment for pets.
-Pet food and pet supplies, including crates, etc.
-Temporary shelter or boarding costs for rescued or at-risk pets.
-Other immediately needed materials including cleaning supplies, tarps, bedding, blankets, etc. to keep pets safe and comfortable.
-Transportation costs to rescue or relocate pets.
-Other expenses related to providing temporary shelter for rescued pets including overtime salaries, rental equipment or facilities, cleanup costs, etc.
-Reimbursement up to three months post-disaster for expenses incurred and related to the above. 		https://mvhcares.tfaforms.net/f/BFDRGIRS 501©3 Determination Letter or Letter 4076C, proposed budget for grant funds, EIN, number of pets funding will impact, narrative questions, photogrants@banfieldfoundation.org
BISSELL Pet FoundationCrisis & Disaster Grantshttps://www.bissellpetfoundation.org/grant-information/#Request that you contact them here
Greater Good CharitiesGOODS ProgramGreater Good is on the ground responding and has food available in the impacted areas. Disaster Assessment Surveys are reviewed by the Greater Good Charities field operations team several times daily, the team prioritizes responses on a wide variety of factors. Please be patient.Food, supplies, relief as needed based on Disaster Assessment Survey responseComplete Disaster Assessment SurveyThe GOODS Program – contact an affiliate in your state to access food/supplies https://greatergood.org/goods (click on the map to find the closest food distribution location or contact Sue/Denise – email below)

FOOD/SUPPLY REQUESTS
FL Venice & Wilton Manors distribution sites https://www.thepetprojectfl.org/rescue-bank.html
GA Norcross distribution – Atlanta Humane https://atlantahumane.org/resources/pet-supply-bank/goods-program/
NC Greenville distribution – Pet Food Pantry of Eastern NC https://www.petfoodpantryenc.org/for-those-in-need/ 		Complete Disaster Assessment SurveySummary of current impact and needs for consideration, your organization’s storage facility and capacityFL: sue@thepetprojectfl.org or denisebash@greatergood.org
GA: lblackburn@atlantahumane.org
NC: petfoodpantryenc@gmail.com or contactus@petfoodpantryenc.org
HillsHill’s Food, Shelter & Love® Disaster Relief Networkhttps://www.hillspet.com/food-shelter-love/my-shelter/disaster-supportOpen year roundFoodExpedited orders donated of foodEmail disasterrelief@hillspet.com:
– number of cats and dogs in need
– estimated days of support needed		disaster relief@hillspet.com
Pedigree FoundationDisaster Relief Granthttps://www.pedigreefoundation.org/shelters-grant/Open all yearUp to $5000Non-profit organizations with an animal welfare mission or a direct relationship with an animal welfare organization that is leading the disaster relief effort where you are providing intake, medical care and placement for these dogs. • Have been directly affected by a recent disaster or emergency situation and/or are assisting in an affected area.Medical supplies and veterinary care treatment for pets • Pet food, pet supplies, including crates, etc. • Temporary shelter or boarding costs for rescued or at-risk pets • Other immediately needed materials including cleaning supplies, tarps, bedding, blankets, etc. to keep pets safe and comfortable • Transportation costs to rescue or relocate pets • Other expenses related to providing temporary shelter for rescued pets including overtime salaries, rental equipment or facilities, cleanup costs, etc. • Clean up/rebuild efforts for an impacted shelter during a natural disaster.https://www.pedigreefoundation.org/media/uploads/2024/10/Disaster-Relief-Grant-Application-10.2.2024.pdfTax ID (EIN), IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter, organization info, project budget, number of pets funding will impact, questions re: use of funds and current situationinfo@pedigreefoundation.org or megan.meredith@effem.com
Petco LoveDisaster Reliefhttps://petcolove.org/shelter-partners/grants/Open all yearExisting Petco Love partner or sign up at https://petcolove.fluxx.io/apply/petcoreg/ Must be an authorized member of an IRS designated 501c3 nonprofit OR an official representative of a government agency and have access to detailed information about your organization’s operations and finances OR a representative of a for-profit company having a nonprofit business purpose, directly related to animal welfare, that has been invited to apply, or is responding to a call for applications that allows for-profit companies to apply.https://petcolove.fluxx.io/user_sessions/newTax ID (EIN). Basic data includes your most recent year’s intakes and outcomes, your IRS 990 (or audited/unaudited financial statement, animal control budget if municipal), information about spay/neuter surgeries, and your expenses.partners@petcolove.org
Petfinder FoundationDisaster Response & Reliefhttps://petfinderfoundation.org/grant/disaster/Open now (typically ends in November)Up to $10,000Must be a Petfinder member in good standing – apply if not already.Log into portal or sign up https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=petfinderTax ID (EIN), Facebook URLmelissa@petfinderfoundation.org
PetSmart CharitiesDisaster Relief Grants for Hurricane Helene & Miltonhttps://petsmartcharities.org/pro/grants/disaster-responseOpen all yearPetSmart Charities have commited an initial $500,000 to disater response grants for Helene & Milton impacted areasEligible applicants include Helene/Milton impacted nonprofit or municipal organizations, any 501(c)3 animal or human support organization supporting relief and recovery for pets and their people from this area. Animal welfare and human services organizations designated as authorized disaster responders by the emergency Agency Having Jurisdiction (providing support for evacuated pets and their people), nonprofit veterinary clinics. (No self-deployed organizations.)Purchases for necessary immediate sheltering needs for up to 30 days (kennels, crates, carriers, food, waste management, bowls, leads/leashes). Medical expenses to provide required and/or necessary vaccinations and immediate medical care for impacted pets.Staffing and volunteer costs including wages, lodging, meals and transport expenses.https://petsmartcharities.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jspgrants@petsmartcharities.org
Purinahttps://www.purina.com/partnerships/animal-welfare-grantsPet food via Greater Good GOODS program, Animal Welfare Grants https://www.purina.com/partnerships/animal-welfare-grants

More About the UF Shelter Medicine Program’s Disaster Assessment Team

We maintain a database of brick-and-mortar shelters in the state of Florida. In this database we keep details such as (but not limited to):

The University of Florida shelter emergency response coordinator is one of the primary information hubs for Florida animal shelters needing help with disaster planning, resources, and training. We coordinate with local, state, and national organizations to assess needs to ensure assistance is provided to shelters both pre- and post-storm.

Annually, we provide information to, and connect shelters with, training or Standard Operating Procedural planning they might need in case of a disaster (ex: transportation/relocation guidelines; State Certified: Pet-Friendly Sheltering Online Training (FL-017) from FL SART; FEMA’s basic online training for emergency responders; Code 3 Associates, etc.).

  • Emergency contact information (that we routinely ask them to update)
  • Resources they have (crates, food, potable water, vehicles for transport, etc.)
  • Whether or not they have a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for disaster response (primarily hurricanes)
  • Facility location (address of each location, county, are they in a flood zone)
  • Environmental concerns (does their shelter flood during a hard rain, do they have outdoor kennels, etc.)
  • If their facility is used as the County’s evacuation shelter for pets

If you have contacted your ESF-17, including surrounding county ESF-17s and they are unable to assist, reach out directly to Florida SARC (State Animal Response Coalition) at the SPCA Florida:

Here’s what you can do to get ready for a storm:  

  • Be ready to take advantage of any pre-storm transport offered so that you can reserve your limited space for post storm victims
  • Transport out any pre-storm animals that are off their stray hold and available for adoption
  • Update and print medical records in case you lose power (place each animal’s record in a plastic sheet protector which can be taped or attached to a carrier)
  • Place ID bands on the animals to avoid confusion during transport (if they are microchipped that is great too as long as the chip number is recorded in their medical history)
  • Gather crates/carriers for transport and/or temporary fostering
  • Ask the community for help with temporary fostering during the storm so you can again free up space in the shelter for post-storm victims
  • Make sure you have enough supplies on hand (food/water) for 7 days in case help is not able to reach your shelter
  • Make sure you know your County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Emergency Support Function (ESF)17 contacts
    • The ESF system is primarily to assist municipal shelters.
    • Private shelters should have a plan to work with your local resources first (other shelters in the area, transport teams, volunteers, etc.) to prep and handle the storm. If your local resources cannot help and it is a dire/emergency/life-threatening to animals situation, you should reach out to your County ESF17 contact and then to FL State Agricultural Response Team (SART) directly if the County cannot help.
    • There may be times when SART is unable to match a service provider with the local need, especially during the first week after a high-impact disaster, so backup plans are important too.

Additional information to help you prepare: