KANSAS CITY, Mo. --
A family and nearly 30 dogs fleeing Florida ahead of Hurricane Irma are getting help from a local animal shelter.
"We learned they are from the state of Florida and they self-evacuated," said James Donovan with Animal Health and Public Safety.
Donovan and some staff with KC Pet Project were on scene to assess the dogs as they arrived in Kansas City.
Several relatives living in Florida covered the trailers with a black tarp and drove over a thousand miles to take refuge with relatives in the area.
"They just decided to run with all these animals and as you can see not even luggage just families and the dogs," said Marco Mata, a relative.
The family said the highways were backed up with evacuees trying to get away from the hurricane. Traveling with dogs made the journey more difficult because they needed food and water along the way.
"She said they're part of the family and they go wherever I go," said Mata. "They don't get left behind.
Local relatives volunteered to house 11 of the dogs. The rest were taken to KC Pet Project, where an already full shelter is making room for more.
"Taking this many animals will be a burden as far as space goes," said Tori Fugate, with KC Pet Project. "They will need bathed, medicated, sheltered, food, all of those things. So we are asking the public to help us with donations for their care."
It's care the family hopes is temporary. They say they hope to return to Florida once Irma leaves.
Right now, all donations made to KC Pet Project will be matched by an anonymous donor. That money will go to help care for animals affected by Hurricane Irma and Harvey.
For more information on how to donate, visit the KC Pet Project website.
