Two weeks after Hurricane Charley ripped across Florida, federal disaster response teams were still helping animals separated from their owners in the storm—and dozens of pet retailers and fish farmers were cleaning up their neighborhoods and getting back to business.

The Aug. 13 storm, called Florida’s worst in 12 years, cut a wide swath across the state, from Fort Meyers and Punta Gorda through Orlando to Daytona. The region was declared a federal disaster area, with overall damage estimated to exceed $15 billion.

Dozens of pet stores were affected in the 25-county disaster area, according to Ken Chancey, regional vice president for Central Pet-Tampa, one of the region’s largest pet supplies wholesalers.

”Two or three stores in the Port Charlotte-Punta Gorda area were devastated,” Chancey said. Since the owners of those stores lost their homes, too, their immediate concerns have involved providing for their families rather than rebuilding their businesses, he added.

At least six other area pet stores that sustained significant damage were expected to rebuild, Chancey said Most of the other pet stores in the area, sustaining less damage, were already back in business.

"Overall, our 17 Petland stores in Florida fared well against a raging Hurricane Charley,” said Debbie May, director of communications for Petland Inc. (Chillicothe, Ohio). “Several of our Petland stores in the immediate path of Hurricane Charley were forced to close anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days due to power outages. Our Fort Myers Petland store was closed the longest—about four days. The staff in Fort Myers kept the animals comfortable and safe, coming into work three times a day to feed, exercise and socialize the pets. Pets in need of extra attention went home with Petland pet counselors."

Of course, pet stores were not the only businesses affected. David Boozer, executive director of the Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association (Winter Haven, Fla.), estimated that as many as 15 fish farms sustained light to heavy damage in the hurricane. Hardest hit were EkkWill Waterlife Resources in Gibsonton, and 5-D Tropical Inc. in Plant City.

EkkWill’s main facility was spared when the storm veered from its projected path, but the company’s 160-acre production facility near Arcadia took a direct hit, sustaining tremendous damage in the 140+ mph winds, according to Michael Hennessy, company treasurer.

”The best news is that all the staff survived ruffled, but unhurt. The farm sustained significant damage to several structures, and there is a tremendous amount of repair and cleanup required to put things in order,” Hennessy said.

Despite the damage, EkkWill did not lose any crops and did not miss even one full day of shipping operations, Hennessy added.

Many fish farmers, anticipating heavy rains, lowered pond levels to minimize flooding and prevent livestock losses—precautions that probably saved a lot of businesses, Boozer said.

The federal government deployed teams from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (Schaumburg, Ill.), The Humane Society of the United States (Washington) and the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (Ojai, Calif.) to Punta Gorda immediately after the storm to coordinate animal-related relief efforts. The teams worked to receive, house and treat stray or injured animals, staged animal rescue efforts and distributed pet food and supplies.

The teams received much-needed support, in the form of money and supplies, from several companies and organizations within the pet industry.

Within hours of the storm, PetsMart Charities (Phoenix) sent $25,000 plus truckloads of pet products to local relief agencies. PetsMart also earmarked all in-store donations from Aug. 16 through Sept. 16 for Florida relief efforts.

Nestle Purina PetCare Co. (St. Louis) sent more than 80 tons of pet food.

Central Pet-Tampa donated truckloads of supplies and was prepared to send more supplies when needed.

Individual pet stores in less-affected areas donated pet food and supplies, and some even hand-delivered them to relief stations.

Petfinder.com (Tucson, Ariz.) established an emergency fund to help animal shelters in the affected area.

The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (Greenwich, Conn.) called on members to donate collars, leashes, wire crates, pet toys, cat litter and industrial cleaning products at the request of the Suncoast Humane Society in Englewood, Fla., the designated staging area for animal disaster relief efforts, according to Julie Rowe, a spokesperson for the trade organization. [October 2004 PET AGE]