As Hurricane Matthew passed Palm Beach County early Friday, residents camped out in the fifteen area shelters started packing up to go home. Some had additional cargo to pick up: their pets.
“I think it went amazing” said Elizabeth Harfmann of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, who oversaw the Palm Beach County pet-friendly shelter at West Boynton Recreation Center. “Everybody was so courteous and so helpful. The animals were all pretty calm for such a high stress environment.”
Lisa Marriott lives in a mobile home in Lake Worth. She said she was very grateful for the unique refuge.
“Police came and said we had to vacate or face arrest,” said Marriott. “I have multiple cats and four dogs. These are my children.
Marriott found the pet-friendly shelter online, and called Animal Care and Control.
They welcomed me with open arms.” she said. “I was really worried that I would have to face the storm in the mobile home. I was really grateful for these people. They made a really good experience out of something bad.”
