Pooch Found Dog Paddling In Floodwaters Rescued, Brought To Tampa Humane Society

TAMPA, FL — The historic flash flood that produced 25.6 inches of rain in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas in Broward County on April 12 is not only affecting people.

The Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Division in Fort Lauderdale was forced to close its doors due to unprecedented flooding in front of the facility that seeped into the building, making some areas of the shelter uninhabitable.

Additionally, the animal shelter said it has been inundated with pets that were separated from their owners, as well as pets that were abandoned during the flash flood. The shelter said staff members are working diligently to reunite owners with their pets.

"Even though our doors are closed to the public, our hearts are open," said the shelter on its Facebook page. "We continue to love on the animals in our care, no matter what it looks like outside."

To relieve Broward County Animal Care, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay sent a staff member to Fort Lauderdale to take some of the abandoned pets off the shelter's hands and free up space.

"Our hearts are with South Florida in the aftermath of the terrible floods that, to this day, are
affecting the Fort Lauderdale area," Humane Society Executive Director Sherry Silk said. "We are grateful to be able to help in the wake of this terrible disaster."

Among the animals brought back to Tampa is Butterfly, who was found dog paddling in the floodwaters, desperately trying to find a piece of dry land before she grew too weak and tired.

In addition to taking on pets from Broward County, Human Society is dealing with another disaster: It's kitten season.

"HSTB has seen more kittens during this kitten season than we have in the past at this point of the season," Silk said. "So we desperately need of in-home bottle-feeding foster parents for the orphaned kittens."

The Humane Society has scheduled a class for those interested in helping from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 4 at the shelter, 3607 N Armenia Ave., Tampa. It will include a demonstration as well as tips and tricks for bottle-feeding motherless kittens.

Those interested can sign up here.