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Animals evacuated from Florida shelter find safety in Milwaukee

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MILWAUKEE -- Animals evacuated from a shelter in Florida woke up Sunday morning in Milwaukee. 

The pets arrived overnight to the Wisconsin Humane Society’s (WHS) Milwaukee campus. They were sent here to make room for animals that might be displaced as a result of Hurricane Irma. 

“They were so cute," Brittany Cervantes said.  

"They need a home just like every other dog," Cervantes continued. 

The 15 dogs and 10 cats arrived safely to WHS's Milwaukee campus Saturday night. All of the animals were in a Lee County, Florida shelter -- a region of the state expected to get 10 to 15 feet of flooding as Hurricane Irma rips through the area. The animals were in the Florida shelter prior to the hurricane and no longer had owners looking for them. However, Angela Speed, Vice President of Communications for the Wisconsin Humane Society, said she expects the fate of the animals to change now that they're in Milwaukee, and she's confident it's here they'll find forever homes. 

“We are certainly looking for the community’s support," Speed said. 

"It’s only because of the support from the Milwaukee area that we’re able to step up and help these guys," she continued. 

The animals will be given Sunday to settle in, but on Monday a veterinary and behavior staff will examine each new arrival. They will all be vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped prior to adoption. Several are expected to be available for adoption as early as Tuesday.