Northeast Florida Animal Rescue in Desperate Need of Fosters as Freezing Temps Threaten Local Pups

Jake Stofan
·2 min read

A local animal rescue needs your help as freezing temperatures threaten the lives of stray and shelter dogs.

Florida Urgent Rescue is in desperate need of people to foster the pups.

“Get your dogs inside”: That’s Mike Merrill with Florida Urgent Rescue’s message to pet owners as temperatures dip below freezing.

“Dogs get frostbite. Dogs get hypothermia. Dogs die of exposure,” said Merrill.

Merrill has been working throughout the week helping rural shelters lacking indoor accommodations find temporary and permanent foster homes all over the area, so they can ride out the cold snap.

“Union County has outdoor kennels on the grounds of the prison. Putnam County is behind the landfill. Bradford County is run by the sheriff’s department out of Stark. These guys don’t have resources. They don’t have money. They don’t have the manpower,” said Merrill.

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The Union County outdoor kennel is where Gavin was housed before Florida Urgent Rescue found Shannon Oetting.

Oetting is fostering Gavin at her Ponte Vedra Beach home on a temporary basis… Or at least temporary for now.

“He’s definitely pulling on heartstrings now. So, we’ll see,” Oetting.

Gavin is one of 14 dogs Florida Urgent Rescue has found housing for during this deep freeze, but according to Merrill, the need for additional fosters is growing.

“We got a call today, somebody dumped puppies in the woods in Baker County last night. I mean, in the dark they dumped puppies in the woods. Freezing temperatures,” said Merrill.

Thanks to fosters like Oetting, the organization has been able to rescue 643 animals this year alone.

“Just please open up your hearts and homes to these wonderful dogs and if you can’t foster, try to volunteer,” said Oetting.

If you’re feeling the holiday spirit and are interested in opening your home to a pup in need, you can find out how to get involved or make a donation by clicking here.

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