FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joanna Goriss
Telephone: 954/360-2871
Email: topdog@familydogcentral.com

Family Dog Central is Your Dog’s Shelter for the Storm

Deerfield Beach, June 3, 2008 – As summer approaches, South Florida begins preparing for the season – the hurricane season. This year, the forecasters expect a "well above-average" 2008 hurricane season with 15 named storms forecast to form in the Atlantic. For most people, this means stocking up on canned goods, water and batteries. For families with pets, it means much more. With four major storms expected to develop this season, pet owners living in evacuation zones and mobile homes should plan to act rather than react.

“Don’t ever leave a family member behind during a storm,” stressed Joanna Goriss, owner of Family Dog Central, a dog daycare and overnight stay facility in Deerfield Beach. “You have choices for your dog if you plan to leave home. First ask a friend or family member to keep your dog, or go to Humane Society and register for the one public shelter that takes dogs – there’s only one in Broward county, so it’s not an option for everyone.”

Another option is a private boarding facility. Family Dog Central is one such safe haven for dogs which provides peace of mind for owners.

“We are an approved hurricane shelter constructed in 2007 with impact glass! We are outside of evacuation zones, but still conveniently located for people who live in Broward and Palm Beach counties,” said Goriss, who’s also a Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida volunteer and certified in dog first aid and CPR.

“During the storm – we will NEVER leave the dogs. We have generator power and air conditioning for the facility and our staff will be here 24/7 during the storm offering dog group play – so the dogs won’t even know there’s a storm!” she added.

The key is planning prior to the storm, not during, or when the storm is “on its way". Dogs must be pre-registered, and meet all of the enrollment requirements including being at least 4 months old, spayed or neutered, current on vaccinations (including bordatella), and on flea/tick preventative. Dogs applying for Family Dog Central must also come for a Trial Day to ensure the social environment is the best environment for them.

“Plan NOW,” stressed Goriss. “When a storm is coming is NOT the time to start, and besides – Trial Day is free right now, so why wait? During a storm, many other boarding facilities will close, but FDC will be open, but you must pre-register.”

Spaces are limited at Family Dog Central. So this year, the facility is offering guaranteed booking for a limited number of dog clients to be sold on a first-come, first served basis. The cost of this “storm insurance” is $100 and it ensures a dog’s space for the entire 2008 hurricane season. Once you have a spot secured, overnight and day rates during a storm will cost the same as their everyday rates.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. So whether you’re planning to leave or planning to stay, visit the Family Dog Central website for tips on preparing your dog’s survival kit and for more instructions on what to do before, during and after the storm.

Family Dog Central is located at 1807 S. Powerline Road, Suite 101 in Deerfield Beach. Find out more by calling 954-360-2871 or by visiting FDC’s website at www.familydogcentral.com.

If you’d like more information, or would like to schedule an interview with Joanna Goriss, please call Family Dog Central at 954-360-2871 or email her.