I cried everyday. The best animals died,'' said Moralejo, standing in a corral surrounded by several of his 50 Paso Finos. Florida is the only state where animal relief efforts are a major part of its disaster plan. Still, owners are reluctant to leave their pets at an animal shelter or veterinarian's office. Moralejo decided he wouldn't leave his horses behind and he couldn't take them to a shelter.
Animal advocates suggest having an emergency plan for boarding the animals.
Kennels and veterinarian offices, or pet-friendly hotels that are not in evacuation zones are good places to start. The Florida Animal Disaster Planning Advisory Committee, formed after Andrew, went into action during Hurricane Opal in 1995 and the February tornadoes in central Florida. King, Prince, Little Prince, Sheba, Champ, Duke and Ears were delivered to Mrs. Higman after their owner's home was destroyed. They've become my babies,'' she said. She has a ''hurricane list'' with 40 dogs that are already registered to be boarded in case of a hurricane.