The Big Cat Rescue is preparing for impact as Hurricane Ian barrels towards Florida's Gulf Coast, TV star Carole Baskin has said.
Ms Baskin, known for her role in the hit Netflix series "Tiger King," took to Facebook to tell fans that the rescue has been exhausting efforts to make sure it is ready for the storm.
She said: "And it begins, Hurricane Ian, we are ready for you."
"I want to give a huge shout-out to everybody at Big Cat Rescue who has been filling sandbags, and picking up sticks, and chain-sawing away limbs and covering the windows," Ms Baskin added.
The storm, which is expected to make landfall as a Category 3 or even Category 4 major hurricane, has led to staff boarding up structures at the rescue - including the gift shop, where some will stay to keep an eye on the cats.
Ms Baskin and her team plan to check on the cats and their cages hourly during the hurricane.
Depending on the track of the storm, the rescue could receive up to 30 hours of tropical storm-force winds and up to 10 hours of hurricane-force winds.
A heavy-duty SUV will be driven around the property to ensure all the correct measures are in place, and that the cats are safe, Ms Baskin said.
The rescue also plans to make sure food preparations for the cats are uninterrupted.
In her Facebook video, Ms Baskin showed a large propane tank used to fuel a generator that will make sure the cats' food is stored properly.
Ms Baskin said: "We have to keep food prep safe because you've got to feed the cats no matter what the weather looks like."
The hurricane’s high winds are expected to be strong enough to knock down the rescue's trees, and may even leave them without power.
Staff have prepared additional generators around the rescue, along with chainsaws carrying plenty of extra fuel.
In a collection of photos shared on Facebook, staff at The Big Cat rescue can be seen securing limbs, debris and other loose items on the property.
Ms Baskin says flooding is also a concern for the rescue, as the hurricane is expected to come with several hours worth of rainfall. To help prevent the worst of it., the team has hooked pumps up to generators.
The strongest part of Hurricane Ian is expected to reach Tampa on Wednesday.
The rescue wrote in a Facebook post: "Staff will be making routine rounds as the hurricane bears down on Tampa to monitor the cats and cages. Dr Justin Boorstein will be nearby should he be needed."
Adding "Please continue to send paw-sitive thoughts and prayers for all of Tampa, the interns, staff, volunteers and cats at Big Cat Rescue!"
