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“The animals are safest out in the pasture because if they were in the barn, they could get trapped or hit with a fallen tree,” Lovering said. “Out in the pasture, they can run from debris and fallen trees. These animals know what to do. They put their backs to the wind and stand in a line.”
Strangers were still concerned.
Hurricane Milton aftermath
“I’m crying just thinking about all the animals. I can’t take it,” someone commented on Lovering’s video.
“PLEASE UPDATE,” another person wrote.
Many other Hurricane Milton animal videos spread far and wide online, including one of a trio of goats wearing life jackets, which has nearly 4 million views.
“Thousands upon thousands of strangers were sending us messages of love and prayers,” said Weldon. “It was so comforting.”
Weldon and her husband started rescuing donkeys during the pandemic, and they have plans to move to Tennessee to start a donkey sanctuary in the next few months.
“They’re such amazing animals,” Weldon said.
After the storm passed, Weldon and her husband — along with millions of people on social media — were relieved.
“Everyone is amazingly okay,” Weldon said, adding that her property is filled with debris and floodwater, and they have no cell service or power. “Compared to what I’m sure others experienced near the coast, this is nothing. We got lucky.”
Lovering also gave people a much-anticipated updateon TikTok that all her animals were okay.
“I feel like an animal social worker checking on all the animals today,” someone commented.
“You were on my check-on list today. I’m so happy to hear you, your family and all your babies are all safe,” wrote another follower.
Many said they were moved to tears.
Victori Koepsell also got an enormous swell of support after she shared an update on her four horses.
“They’re more than just horses to me; they’re family,” said Koepsell, who lives in Central Florida, about 50 minutes outside Orlando. “Milton hit us directly, and it felt like nothing in its path was safe.”
Koepsell, who was not in a mandatory evacuation zone, decided to let her horses roam in the open pasture. She said she did what she could to fortify her home, but she was more focused on the animals.
“I was terrified all night, but I knew it was the best chance they had,” she said. “I didn’t know if I would wake up to find them all alive.”
After the storm passed, Koepsell rushed to her barn, her heart racing. One by one, her horses came to greet her, and they all surrounded her in a circle.
“It’s moments like that where the bond between you and your animals is undeniable,” she said.
Koepsell said she was deeply touched by how many people cared.
“The support and the warmth from total strangers has brought me an unexpected peace,” she said. “It’s amazing what love can do to the soul, even when it’s from people you’ve never met.”
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