South Florida Braces for Cold Weather Impact on Plants and Animals

Farmers and shelters scramble to protect vulnerable flora and fauna from freezing temperatures

Feb. 1, 2026 at 4:55pm

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The recent cold snap in South Florida is causing major issues for local agriculture and animal welfare organizations. Farmers are working to protect sensitive tropical plants from the cold, while animal shelters are rushing to get dogs indoors and into foster care to keep them safe from the freezing temperatures.

Why it matters

South Florida is known for its subtropical climate, so these unusually cold temperatures pose a serious threat to the region's delicate ecosystem of plants and animals that are not adapted to withstand prolonged exposure to the cold. Protecting these vulnerable species is crucial to maintaining the ecological balance of the area.

The details

At the Patch of Heaven Sanctuary in Redland, staff have had to cover many of their tropical plants with thermal blankets to prevent them from being damaged or killed by the cold weather. Some plants have already shown signs of distress, and the sanctuary's leadership says it could take years for them to recover if they survive. Meanwhile, Miami-Dade Animal Services has been working overtime to get dogs indoors and into foster homes, going from 130 dogs at their facility down to less than 30 in just a few days as the community has stepped up to provide temporary shelter.

  • The cold temperatures have been impacting South Florida since the beginning of February 2026.

The players

Patch of Heaven Sanctuary

A sanctuary in Redland, Florida that is known for growing tropical plants that are now threatened by the cold weather.

Suzanne Jewell

The CEO of the Patch of Heaven Sanctuary.

Randall Quirk

An employee at the Patch of Heaven Sanctuary.

Miami-Dade Animal Services

The animal shelter in Miami-Dade County that has been working to get dogs indoors and into foster care to protect them from the cold.

Annette Jose

The director of Miami-Dade Animal Services.

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What they’re saying

“They are cold-sensitive. If they didn't have these blankets on, they'd be toast.”

— Suzanne Jewell, CEO, Patch of Heaven Sanctuary (CBS News Miami)

“This plant may or may not make it. We won't know until the weather warms up again.”

— Suzanne Jewell, CEO, Patch of Heaven Sanctuary (CBS News Miami)

“They'll probably have to be cut back and it could take two-to-three years.”

— Randall Quirk, Employee, Patch of Heaven Sanctuary (CBS News Miami)

“We close the guillotine doors just to make them stay on the inside of the building. We have sweaters for them, we have blankets. The community has been amazing -- they've donated hundreds of blankets and about a hundred sweaters.”

— Annette Jose, Director, Miami-Dade Animal Services (CBS News Miami)

“We went from 130 dogs to less than 30 today.”

— Annette Jose, Director, Miami-Dade Animal Services (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

As the cold weather continues, farmers and animal shelters will need to remain vigilant in protecting their vulnerable plants and animals. The Patch of Heaven Sanctuary will monitor the condition of their tropical plants, and Miami-Dade Animal Services will continue to work with the community to find foster homes for dogs during the cold snap.

The takeaway

This cold weather event highlights the fragility of South Florida's subtropical ecosystem and the importance of preparedness and community support when extreme weather threatens the region's unique flora and fauna. Protecting these valuable natural resources requires ongoing vigilance and collaboration between farmers, animal welfare organizations, and local residents.