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Hurricane
or disaster

Indian River County now has a Pet Friendly Shelter located at Liberty Magnet School on CR-510. This "shelter of last resort" could provide important services for you and your pets. This is a first-come-first-served facility. Present the following Registration Form when you arrive.

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Learn more about this Evacuation Shelter...

June 1 through November 30 is hurricane season. We urge all pet owners to include pets in their disaster planning. Indian River County has made it possible for you to evacuate with your pet.

Indian River County has designated Liberty Magnet School at 6850 81st Street in Vero Beach as the county’s pet-friendly evacuation shelter. The Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County has accepted the responsibility of helping manage this shelter.

“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, pet owners typically would either flee the county with their pets in tow or sought refuge for themselves and their pets with friends living in non-evacuation areas.

Activating a pet-friendly shelter is a responsible alternative that enables entire families, pets and all, to safely remain together in times of disaster.

As with other evacuation shelters in the county, the pet-friendly shelter should be considered as “a shelter of last resort,” according to Daniel. We would like for you to consider other alternatives before you decide on 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.

“Space in the pet-friendly shelter will be on a first-come-first-served basis,” says Etta LoPresti, Indian River County Emergency Management Coordinator. Completing the registration form prior to your arrival will make the check-in process easier and more efficient. If you have any questions, contact Ilka Daniel at www.hsvb.org or 772.571.6408.

​Download General Information Packet

Download and prepare your Annual Registration Form now.

In Times of 
Family Crisis

Often, we can help you through a family crisis by offering foster care on a limited, short term basis to qualifying individuals. This is a last resort for those who cannot make or afford other arrangements. Please contact Animal Admissions at 772-388-3331 X130 for more information. Also, you can download a Foster Care Application by clicking here.

Surrendering
an Animal

We understand. Sometimes it is necessary to surrender an animal to the Shelter. As an "open admission" shelter, no animal is ever turned away provided the animal is from the home of a bona-fide Indian River County resident. Others are asked to pay a $75 surrender fee. Contact Animal Admissions at 772-388-3331 X130 for details. 

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If You Go, They Go!

Never leave your pet alone if you have been given the order to evacuate! For this reason, we strongly encourage you to make an emergency plan for your pet NOW! Avoid a crisis later. Remember, your pet’s safety depends entirely on you.

To help make your plan, download a copy of an informative brochure entitled "If You Go, They Go!"

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