Pinellas County pet owners have options when it comes to pet-friendly emergency shelters. The Pinellas County School Board and Pinellas County government have three pet-friendly shelter locations.
- Each of these facilities are substantially built, have large indoor gyms and separate air handlers to ensure the comfort and safety of allergic citizens who shelter there. Pet shelters accept only cats and dogs.
- Animal shelters, such as Pinellas County Animal Services, the Humane Society and the SPCA, cannot accept your pets.
- Don’t assume that a boarding kennel or hotel/motel will accept your pet. Check ahead and look for kennels in non-evacuation zones.
Things To Do:
- Take your pet when you evacuate. Do not leave your pets at home!
- Ask friends or family living outside of evacuation areas if they can keep your pet.
- Keep a pet carrier (portable kennel) for each pet – one that allows your pet to stand and turn around. The carrier should be marked with your pet’s identification.
- Make sure all your pet’s vaccinations are current and have proof available of its current county-issued rabies vaccination.
- If you must use a kennel as a last resort, make sure it is not in an evacuation zone and reserve space as soon as possible. Kennels require proof of vaccinations.
Pet Disaster Supply Kit:
- Proper identification
- Immunization and medical records
- County license rabies tag
- Food and water (2 wks. supply)
- Food/water bowls
- A carrier or portable kennel
- Medications
- Muzzle, collar and leash
- Manual can opener
- Current photo of pet
- Feeding and water bowls
- Favorite toys and blanket
- Cat litter/pan and scoop
- Grooming items
- Plastic bags to handle waste
- Disinfectant
Register Your Pet:
Residents must register themselves and their pets for these pet-friendly shelters, as space is limited. Mobile home residents are given first priority. Call (727) 582-2150 or download a registration form at https://bit.ly/3bV55W6 and return it to:
Pinellas County Animal Services
12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33774
fax (727) 582-2637
Pet-Friendly Hotels / Motels:
Call the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (727) 464-7200 or check the following websites during an evacuation:
- visitstpeteclearwater.com
- floridapets.net
- petswelcome.com
- LetsGoPets.com
- petfriendlyhotels.com
- petfriendlytravel.com
- 1clickpethotels.com
- travelpets.com
- dogfriendly.com
Pet Shelters
- Oak Grove Middle School, 1370 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater
- Dunedin Middle School, 70 Patricia Ave., Dunedin
- Thurgood Marshall Middle School, 3901 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg
Post-disaster animal collection & temporary collection site
After a storm, stray animals will be collected and staged at temporary collection sites prior to transfer to more permanent shelters. The location of these collection sites will be determined based on prevailing conditions. Every effort will be made to inform the public of these locations so that animals can be returned to their owners as quickly as possible.
Once the site(s) have been determined you should look for your pet(s) at the location nearest your home and where you last saw your pet. To report a lost pet, call Pinellas County Animal Services at (727) 582-2600.
