Peace River Wildlife Center (CREDIT: WINK News) Humans aren’t the only ones who have to ride out Elsa as it passes by Southwest Florida. The Peace River Wildlife Center is making sure its animal patients stay safe before closing for Elsa. The animal center, at 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy in Punta Gorda, prepared for the storm by placing sandbags outside of its doors. The hospital is relatively new and last year they learned flooding is an issue. That’s why the staff prepared for Elsa. They won’t evacuate unless a storm becomes a Category 2 hurricane so to prepare for Elsa the staff safely kenneled their patients. A storm doesn’t mean the work stops. “That’s usually the part where we see an increase in animal intakes you know, the birds are being blown around, the animals that live in the ground or on the ground or being flushed out,” said Callie Stahl, executive director for the Peace River Wildlife Center. If anyone finds an injured animal during the storm, the Wildlife Center recommends you put them in a ventilated box in a warm, quiet and dark place.