FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - While residents are working to get back on their feet, another part of the recovery effort is to take care of displaced animals.
Franklin County Animal Control has picked up about 40 dogs from fire-ravaged areas. Most of them have been reclaimed, but others have wound up here at a local clinic.
"She doesn't necessarily have any burn injuries per se," said Marlaina Nelson, D.V.M, who works at the Apalachicola Bay Animal Clinic. "However, she is severely affected by a parasite."
This dog was brought in from Ridge Road but the clinic doesn't know whether or not she belongs to someone. The clinic has treated about three or four animals for injuries since the fire and expects more towards the end of the week.
"The dogs that may have run away into the woods might start coming back," said Nelson. "Over the next couple of days, we'll probably see more of an influx of dogs as they start to come out of the woodwork."
Debi Jordan knows that means places like the clinic will need more supplies. She's already donated a trunk full of food and other items to the Humane Society.
She's spreading the word about ways to get these animals the help they need and how to reunite with lost pets faster.
"Get it microchipped. Make sure it has a collar with your contact information on it, rabies vaccine," said Jordan. "All these things can make all the difference in the world in whether or not your lost dog will make it back to you."
The clinic is getting a couple tons of donated dog food this week. Several families are still looking for their pets, and if they do find each other, the clinic encourages bringing them to make sure they're healthy.
The Franklin County Humane Society says it currently does not have any animals displaced from the fire. You can find out how to help below:
