On October 10th, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall as a Category 4 storm along the gulf coast. The citizens of Bay County who did not evacuate emerged from their homes and shelters to find their city devastated. The fallout was unlike anything that many had ever seen before. Many homes and establishments were damaged heavily and deemed uninhabitable. For the Humane Society of Bay County, this was much the same.
At the time of the hurricane, the Humane Society housed over 100 dogs and cats in their facility. After the storm, the task of moving the animals to safe locations where they would not be subjected to extreme temperatures, water, or other elements seemed huge, maybe impossible. On October 11th, Terri Davidson, President of the Humane Society of Bay County, took to Facebook in an attempt to find transportation for the animals to other shelters. Much to her surprise, the post went viral, and transportation was swiftly arranged. “To all who shared the post asking for help,” wrote Davidson, “You should know that due to your efforts we had a solution within an hour.”
With the help of volunteers and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the animals were moved to various locations across the United States, including the San Diego Humane Society and the Santa Barbara Humane Society in California, and the Escambia Humane Society in Pensacola, Florida. Immediately after the animals were evacuated, the shelter began work on property restoration, with many people reaching out to offer assistance with clearing trees and debris.
The shelter was not the only building belonging to the Humane Society to suffer. The Humane Society’s thrift store, which generated thousands in monthly revenue for the shelter, was destroyed, leading to the Humane Society once again taking to Facebook in an attempt to find a new property.
Despite all they had lost, the Humane Society continued to go above and beyond to help Bay County’s four-legged friends. Days after the hurricane, volunteers with the Humane Society were stationed at various locations across the county, giving away pet food and supplies to those in need.
Although they are not taking in lost and found animals, instead directing them to Bay County Animal Control, they are now housing owner-surrendered dogs and cats as they continue to work hard to restore their location. In spite of the hardships that they have faced, the Humane Society of Bay County is working diligently to ensure that the pets effected by Hurricane Michael are safe and sound.
For those interested in fostering, adopting, donating, or clean up, the Humane Society has no telephone or internet access, but is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday through Friday. They are located at 1600 Bay Avenue, Panama City.
About the Author
Raven Atchison
Student - Fall 2018
