Destructive Storm Brought Silver Linings

Through an amazing outpouring from the community and a tremendous amount of staff and volunteer work, an entire wing of Palm Beach Animal Care and Control was cleared out prior to the storm! Some pets went to forever homes while others went to fosters. 

Meanwhile, just before Hurricane Milton struck, a 5-year-old bull terrier was apparently dumped in rising flood waters in Tampa. Luckily for him, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales spotted him and rescued the dog!

"I got out of my car and sure enough I look right over right, right across my front bumper and I see his face just like sticking up, and then I can see water just pretty much up to his chest area," Morales said. "I was kinda enraged at some point, how could anybody just possibly even think of doing an act like this, it was just awful."

Trooper's 23-year-old owner was found and charged with aggravated animal cruelty. He could face prison time for his heinous actions. The man gave up the dog under the condition that it would be well taken care of.

Morales turned the pit bull over to Leon County Humane Society in Tallahassee after having him for four days.The story garnered national attention, so The Humane Society received hundreds of applications for Trooper's adoption. In the meantime, Trooper is being fostered by Amber Gonzalez, a trauma nurse who has experience with Pit Bulls.

"I recently put my bull terrier down in April, at 14 years. I always wanted to foster, but I hadn't quite gotten there emotionally and so anyway... I sent an email and I put a picture of me with Mia my bull terrier and then Ms. Amy, who works at Leon County Humane Society, she reached out."

The Humane Society hopes that Amber inspires more people to open their hearts and foster. If this story inspires you, tell them "Trooper sent me!"