Davie Opens Horse Refuge During Hurricane Warnings

The Town of Davie reminds residents and horse owners that Robbins Preserve Park will serve as a temporary refuge for horses when hurricane warnings are issued. The program provides a safe haven for animals owned by Davie residents or boarded within town limits.

Owners can retrieve their horses when sustained winds drop below 40 mph or when emergency personnel deem it safe. Horse owners should visit Robbins Preserve Park before a storm warning to assess its suitability compared to their current boarding arrangements.

Proper horse identification is crucial. Recommended methods include spray-painting telephone numbers on the animal, braiding luggage tags with contact information into the mane or tail, using fetlock or mare bands, and including microchip identification numbers on applications.

The town also encourages microchipping for identification, theft prevention, and emergency recovery. Owners can have horses microchipped by their local equine veterinarian. A Hero Advanced Microchip Reader is available.

For broader disaster preparedness, Davie references the Broward County "Large Animal Disaster Plan," which covers post-hurricane needs for horses, including care for injured animals and temporary holding facilities. Residents can contact the Broward Emergency Management Division at (954) 831-3900 for more information on this county plan.

Questions about the Town of Davie's Horse Release Program can be directed to the Special Events Office at [email protected] or by calling (954) 797-1181. Residents are encouraged to call with questions in advance of any storm warnings.