Don’t wait for the next big storm to set its sights on the Treasure Coast. Register now for the pet-friendly or special-needs hurricane shelters to ensure you have a safe place to ride out the storm.
For the first time, St. Lucie County is requiring pet owners to pre-register for the pet-friendly shelter. County officials said registering early is essential for making sure the shelter is properly staffed and equipped should the shelter be activated.
Last year, approximately 75 animals hunkered down with their owners at the shelter – though they were held in a separate building on the Westwood High School campus.
Already, about two dozen animals have been pre-registered, according to Amy Boger, communications manager for the St. Lucie Public Safety Department.
Animal Safety and other county employees volunteer to operate and manage the shelter, Boger said. Staff is not responsible for tending to sheltered animals. Instead, pet owners are expected to walk and feed their pets and administer any medications their pets are taking.
Despite having a pet-friendly shelter to turn to, residents are encouraged to make other arrangements in the event the evacuation order is made. “It is a last-resort option,” Boger said.
Residents wishing to utilize the pet-friendly shelter must bring a crate, food and updated vaccination records for their pets.
Those staying at the pet-friendly shelter, just like at any other shelter, need to bring their own supplies, including a three-day supply of water per person, medications, special-diet foods and basic snacks, bedding, clothing, seating such as beach or camp chairs, baby supplies if needed, flashlights and batteries, and toiletries, among many other items needed. Similarly, those considering pre-registering for the special-needs shelter should make that decision as a last resort.
According to safety officials, only residents and caregivers with specific medical needs will be allowed access into the special-needs shelter, including those with severe medical conditions that require the assistance of a caregiver and/or medical equipment that relies on electricity. Patients who rely on power for medical needs should avoid riding out a storm at home as space in the special-needs shelter becomes limited and transportation becomes more difficult to the shelter after the passing of the storm.
The special needs shelter, located at the Fenn Center, 2000 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce, can accommodate as many as 1,000 residents and 250 staff members. Last year, the shelter housed 258 special-needs residents and their caregivers.
Already, more than 600 have registered for this year’s hurricane season, nearly doubling the number registered last year, according to Kurt Myers, radiological coordinator for St. Lucie County Public Safety and head of the special needs shelter.
Pre-registration is available online at www.StLucieCo.gov/eoc.
Do you qualify for special-needs shelter?
Not sure if you qualify for the Special-Needs Shelter? Check the list below:
- Dependent upon a health professional to administer injectable medications
- Require daily or more frequent dressing changes by health care professional
- Need assistance by a healthcare professional with ostomy management, continuous peritoneal dialysis or indwelling catheters of any kind
- Daily activities that are so restricted by immobility that their basic medical needs must be met by others
- Require daily assessment of unstable medical condition by professional nursing personnel (i.e., diabetes, cardiac, cystic fibrosis)
- Terminally ill patient who needs professional assistance for administering heavy doses of medication
- Someone whose life depends upon electrically energized equipment within their residence (i.e., suction machines, homes dialysis machines, O2 concentrators) excluding electric wheelchair without other qualifying conditions
- Depend on oxygen therapy
- Bedridden and require custodial care upon advice of a personal physician. (This does not necessarily mean assigned to a special needs medical facility. Other facilities such as nursing home or hospitals will be utilized)
- Need of cognitive (dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.) care.
