Indian River County offers a
pet-friendly evacuation shelter.

Who knows what the next hurricane season may bring? Regardless, local animal lovers are now better prepared than ever before.

When disaster strikes, we have a pet-friendly evacuation shelter.

So, where is
«Liberty Magnet School?»

NOTICE: HSVB&IRC will continue housing animals for people assigned to the Special Needs Shelter as well as emergency workers who have no one to care for their pets. «Click here» to learn more about this option.

Indian River County has designated Liberty Magnet School at 6850 81st Street (CR 510) to be the county’s first pet-friendly evacuation shelter. Now our citizens have a safe refuge that will welcome both them and their pets. HSVB&IRC has accepted the responsibility of helping administer this shelter, which includes collecting the «advance registration applications» required from those who plan to use this facility.

“In the past when a hurricane threatened, families with pets had very few choices,” observes Ilka Daniel, HSVB&IRC’s Director of Protective Services. “When ordered to evacuate, they typically fled the county with their pets in tow or sought refuge for themselves and their pets with friends living in non-evacuation areas.

“Now that the County has allowed Liberty Magnet School to be a pet-friendly refuge, we have a responsible

alternative that enables entire families, pets and all, to safely remain together in times of crisis.”

As with other evacuation shelters in the County, the new pet-friendly shelter should be considered as "a shelter of last resort," according to Daniel. "Before you register for this shelter, check the «emergency instructions» page on our website and download our brochure entitled «'If You Go, They Go!'» Explore other alternatives before you decide to register for the pet-friendly shelter."

To qualify for using the pet-friendly shelter, evacuees must meet certain requirements. First, they must reside in a mandatory evacuation area. Next, they must bring with them an animal crate large enough to comfortably accommodate bedding, a litter pan, and food/water. Finally, they are required to show proof of a current rabies vaccination and a county license for their pet, if applicable.

Ilka Daniel, HSVB&IRC's Director of Protective Services

Ilka Daniel, HSVB&IRC's Director of Protective Services

“Space in this pet-friendly shelter will become limited very quickly,” observes Daniel. “For this reason, we are asking our neighbors to register now if they anticipate using this facility.”

You can «click here» to access the Registration Form for this shelter. The form can be completed online and submitted by email or you may print a blank form, fill it in by hand, and mail it to us. Should you have further questions, contact Ilka Daniel by or by phone (772.388.3331 x28).