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. There was no safe place to house them so he rode out the storm on the ranch he has called home for 12 years. One of the biggest misconceptions is that owners should leave their pets behind.
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. It holds training sessions three times each year for communities. Nobody can run around and rescue all of the animals. King, Prince, Little Prince, Sheba, Champ, Duke and Ears were delivered to Mrs. Higman after their owner's home was destroyed.