Editor's Note: This article has been updated to clarify which organization received the rescued dogs and their destination in Bradenton.
More than 20 dogs were rescued from the path of Hurricane Isaias and taken to Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue in Bradenton. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay did not receive the dogs in this rescue.
The rescue was reported by Heather Healy, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay. WFLA’s report, republished by AOL, identified Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue as the organization that brought 22 dogs from threatened shelters to Bradenton. The organization lists its adoption center at 4951 Lorraine Road in Bradenton.
A Felony Charge Looms Over Storm Abandonment
As Hurricane Isaias threatened Florida this month, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a public warning that pet owners who leave animals behind in a storm's path could face felony prosecution, according to Wiregrass Daily News. DeSantis stressed that every Florida county provides designated pet-friendly shelters so families have no excuse to leave their animals behind during an evacuation, per the same report.
That warning carries real legal weight under what's become known as Trooper's Law. Under Florida Statute 828.13, restraining a dog outdoors and abandoning it during a declared natural disaster or evacuation order is a third-degree felony, according to Florida's Online Sunshine statutes database. Violators face up to five years in state prison and fines reaching $10,000, the Brancato Law Firm notes.
The Rescue That Inspired a Statewide Law
The law takes its name from a bull terrier named Trooper, who was rescued by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper in October 2024 after being left tied to a fence in rising floodwaters along Interstate 75 near Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton, according to Florida Politics. The dog's former owner was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a case that directly inspired state lawmakers to pass the dedicated disaster-abandonment legislation that took effect in October 2025.
Separately, the federal Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 addresses pet-inclusive disaster planning.
Pet-Friendly Shelters Come With Strict Rules
Even where pet-friendly shelters exist, evacuating with an animal isn't simple.
During Hurricane Isaias, a 46-person task force deployed to Okaloosa County for general disaster recovery.
Care After Rescue
Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue is caring for the dogs brought to Bradenton, according to WFLA. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay’s separate response to Hurricane Milton in 2024 was not part of this rescue.
Storm-displaced dogs may need veterinary care after rescue.
Technology Helps Close the Gaps
Local agencies have also been building tools to reunite displaced pets with their owners faster. Manatee County Animal Welfare launched an interactive Lost & Found Pet App in January 2026 that uses map-based GPS pins to show exactly where lost or rescued animals were recovered, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
