"We have room for 50 cats and we have over 100 right now," said Kathy Lustig, office manager at Edgewater Animal Shelter. "We are also holding 27 dogs when we only have the space for 20."
Those entering the cat adoption room at Edgewater's shelter hear the meows of many kittens and cats, while others sleep or stare out of their cages. Some cats are living in dog crates. Some are roaming loose in the room so that they can stretch their legs.
"There are a lot of cats that aren't even in there," said Lustig. "We've had to keep a lot in the intake room because there just isn't the space."
Edgewater's shelter recently took in cats from the Southeast Volusia Humane Society that had been rescued from Hurricane Harvey prior to Hurricane Irma.
Southeast Volusia, in turn, has been taking in animals from Louisiana, Houston, Miami, Orange County and Lake County.
"We are trying to reach any area impacted by the hurricane by taking in cats and small dogs," said Karen Morgan, Executive Director of the Southeast Volusia Humane Society.
Following Hurricane Irma, many shelters across Florida were damaged, including the Arni Foundation shelter in Daytona Beach, which is currently closed for renovations.
Nikki Linn, owner of the Arni Foundation, said all of that shelter's animals have been transported north and 80 percent of those animals have already been adopted.
"Right now we are just painting and renovating," said Linn. "The air conditioning is also messed up so it's going to take some time."
The rest of the animal shelters in Volusia and Flagler counties had only minor damage such as downed trees in the yards and broken fences.
Many of the animals that are currently at the shelters were either surrendered by their owners when they evacuated for Irma, or they were strays brought in before and after the hurricane.
According to Morgan, Southeast Volusia has taken in over 130 animals so far.
"We have about 100 cats in the shelter and about 150 in foster homes," said Breanna Mott, cat care coordinator at Southeast Volusia.
Cats that go to foster homes are usually ones with special needs or they are kittens that need to be bottle fed.
"We have a lot of babies coming in that were either abandoned or their mother had drowned," said Mott.
Edgewater's shelter needs extra help with dogs as well.
"We need fosters for pit bull mixes, older bigger dogs and dogs that have been neglected and abused," said Lustig. "We need people that want to work with these animals."
Generally, people who want to be an animal foster parent can go into local animal shelters and fill out a form. They will conduct a home check to make sure that it is safe for the animal. Then, applicants can take a cat or dog home until they are ready for adoption.
Shelters in the area are currently running adoption specials to give their animals permanent homes.
"We have an adoption special right now $20 for cats that have been here over a year, $50 for dogs who have been here over a year and buy one get one free on kittens," said Lustig. "We will be running the special until we clear out some room."
The Southeast Volusia Humane Society is running a "Purricane" special on cats lowering the adoption fees to $1-$5.
"We've seen a lot of people coming in so we keep promoting it," said Motts. "If we are still getting a lot of adoptions we will continue the special through October."
If you are unable to adopt or foster an animal, the shelters can always use donations.
"The community has made it possible with the resources they are giving us financially and food wise," said Morgan.
How you can help
Adopt
Donations of either money, food or other pet supplies
Sign up to foster animals
Volunteer at an animal shelter
Volusia and Flagler counties animal shelters
Arni Foundation, 600 Mason Ave., Daytona Beach, 386-267-0277. Under renovation, not currently taking in animals.
Edgewater Animal Shelter, 605 Mango Tree Drive, Edgewater, 386-424-2442. Over capacity.
Flagler Humane Society, 1 Shelter Drive, Palm Coast, 386-445-1814. Close to capacity.
Halifax Humane Society, 2364 LPGA Blvd., Daytona Beach, 386-274-4703. Were over capacity during Hurricane Irma, now back to under capacity. Some roof damage and the dog park is closed.
Southeast Volusia Humane Society, 1200 S. Glencoe Road, New Smyrna Beach, 386-428-9860. Over capacity.
West Volusia Humane Society, 800 Humane Society Road, DeLand, 386-734-2450. Under capacity.
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