Amanda Schumacher

Mike Toberer and Zack Toberer leading mules

Florida has been hit with a Category 3 hurricane, Category 4 hurricane and several tornadoes in the span of two and a half weeks, bringing with them catastrophic damage. Lives have been lost and people are in desperate need of help. But so are the animals.

A tornado destroyed one of Furry Friends animal care facilities in Palm City Florida. Although the staff took safety precautions, Milton swept through the area leaving scattered pieces of metal and wood all over the property. 

“Before the storm we did some shutter protection, we also made sure that all the animals were secured in their rooms,” Julia Kilreschenbau, Furry Friends adoption counselor, said. “The tornado ruined our entire ranch, but no animals were lost or harmed.” 

Kilreschenbau and her team soon transported the animals to the Furry Friends location in Jupiter where they did a mass foster send, giving healthy animals the opportunity to find a home. For any injured animals, Furry Friends has worked to provide aid and is continuously doing so.

“All the animals who come in receive full time medical care. They are provided two to three meals a day depending on their age and needs,” Kilreschenbau said. “They have been working with our trainers and behavioral team to try to overcome some of the trauma.” 

Furry Friends has received a lot of help from locals as well. Jupiter, as a community, has been a huge help coming together to support the animals in need.

“Jupiter has been so supportive. We have had so many people come to donate, foster and adopt,” Kilreschenbau said. “We have probably had about 200 or more volunteers coming regularly to support us, whether it’s cleanup or taking care of the animals at Jupiter.“

Bush wildlife located in Jupiter Farms has also taken in wildlife affected by the storm. They have provided shelter for a dozen birds who lost their homes in this tragic storm.

“The nonprofit said it will provide these animals with food, enrichment, medical assistance and other supportive care until it is safe for them to return to their home at Seaside Seabird Sanctuary,” Skyler Shepard of CBS 12 News said. 

Humans have done wonders for animals in need of assistance during the storm, but in recent cases the animals have given that same support back to humans. 

A ranch in North Carolina called Mountain Mule Packer Ranch has provided rescue, aid and supplies to the mountains where help has been unable to reach.

“One of the first families helped yesterday was in desperate need of insulin, and mountain mule packers were able to get it up this otherwise impassable road,” Mountain Mule Packer Ranch said on their Facebook.

The mules have a lot of experience, taking on challenges that come their way.

“The mules are mainly used to train special forces military teams to carry anything from medical supplies to large guns and ammunition across all types of terrain,” Michele Toberer of Mountain Mule Packers, said.

These mules have been heroes over the past four weeks, immediately taking action when Hurricane Helene struck and still doing so in the aftermath. 

Whether it’s the safety of animals or the help they provide, recent natural disasters have had life threatening effects on animals that many people do not realize.