published: Sunday, September 07, 2008

Pet-friendly shelter from hurricanes

By CHRISTOPHER TUFLEY

christopher.tuffley@newssun.com

SEBRING -- The next two weeks mark the traditional peak of the hurricane season, as the line of named storms - Hanna, Ike and Josephine - prove. More will likely follow.

For years people with pets often rode out dangerous weather in flimsy housing because there was no safe place to shelter their animals, which they refused to leave behind.

This season that is not the case. There is a wide range of animal shelters from which to choose.

But one thing almost every shelter demands is proof of your pet's inoculations, especially those shelters where many dogs will be in close proximity.

Crates or cages also are a must, as is a three-day supply of food and a water bowl. A favorite toy may help an animal remain calm. For animals that don't do well in thunderstorms, tranquilizers provided by a veterinarian may help a nervous pet through the storm.

Most of the pet-friendly shelters in the county come by way of local hotels and motels that put rooms aside. Pet owners are allowed to keep their animals with them in those rooms, for which the standard rate is charged. Some hotels charge an additional pet fee. A list of pet-friendly hotels, with contact information, appears at the end of this article.

The Avon Park Holiness Camp, 1001 W. Lake Isis Ave., offers pet shelter at no cost. Similar to a motel, the camp offers rooms where the owners may stay with their pets. But to stay the owner must prove the animal is up to date with its inoculations as well as have a crate and supplies for three days. Avon Holiness Camp can be reached at 453-6426.

Dog Designs by Dana, 701 Thunder Hill Road in Sebring, provides reinforced kennel space for dogs, cats and birds (the birds must be in their own cage). Pets are dropped off so their owners may enter a shelter to weather out the storm. There is no charge for this emergency service as long as the pet owners have to seek shelter for themselves. The pets may stay free throughout the storm. If they remain longer, the regular boarding rates will apply.

There will be a human on duty at the kennel throughout the storm. Dog Designs by Dana can be reached at 314-9883.

Sebring Animal Hospital, 3245 U.S. 27 South, will also take in animals during a storm emergency. Again, unless the pet is a regular client, proof of inoculations is necessary, no exceptions. Sebring Animal Hospital can be reached at 385-6147.

Experts strongly recommend being prepared in advance. Keep a three-day supply of food and the needed paperwork with the pet's crate so at the last minute, when the pace is hectic and there is much else to do, everything is ready to go and easy to grab.

If pets are not current with their shots, now is the time to get them up to date, well before another storm threatens.

The motels that accept pets during hurricanes are:

-- Oak Tree Inn, 700 US 27 South, Avon Park (453-3165, call ahead of arrival).

-- Inn on the Lakes, 3100 Golf View Road, Sebring (471-9400). There is a $40 pet fee.

-- Highlander Motel and Mobile Home Court, 11455 US 27 South, Sebring (655-1735).

-- Travel Inn of Sebring, 5272 US 27 South, Sebring (385-4448). There is a $15 pet fee.

-- Camp Florida Resort, 1525 US 27 South, Lake Placid (699-1991).

-- Hotel Valencia, 2165 US 27 South, Lake Placid (465-3133). There is a $30 pet fee.