We are very happy to report the U.S. House of Representatives has passed its version of the Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act).

Now it's up to the U.S. Senate to approve the final bill before the 2006 hurricane season begins. Reps. Tom Lantos (D-CA), Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Barney Frank (D-MA) were sponsors of the bill (H.R. 3858) which was approved 349-24. Go here to see how your lawmakers voted. The PETS Act requires state and local emergency management officials to include the needs of residents with household pets and service animals when formulating disaster evacuation plans. Failure to do so would disqualify the departments from grants given by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). There is a similar bill in the Senate (S. 2548), sponsored by Sens. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Frank Lautenberg (D- NJ). If passed, that bill would give the FEMA director authority to grant funds to state and local agencies for animal preparedness projects, including construction of emergency shelters. We'll keep you posted.

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One of the scariest creatures with whom we co-exist in the sunshine state is the alligator. Now found in all 67 Florida counties, this predator is dangerous to us and our beloved companion animals. So, just a reminder for residents and visitors alike - be careful when outdoors, especially between dusk and dawn, when gators tend to be the most active and hungry. Dogs are more susceptible to being attacked than humans because dogs resemble the natural prey of alligators. Don't allow your canine pal to swim or drink in waters known to be frequented by gators. If you encounter one over four feet in length that is posing a threat to humans or property, call the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1- 866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286). They will send someone to remove the alligator.

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In this month's NewsPetter, we feature a pup party, a get-away that's all wet, a photo of a diva doggie, and of course, FloridaPets.net's contest! This month you could win delicious doggie cookies in sand, sea and sun-inspired shapes from the now-famous 7 Dogs Tropical Bakery, owned by the canines at FloridaPets.net. Just check the end of the NewsPetter for all the poop on how to enter. And speaking of prizes, congratulations to Michelle Kay of Navarre, Florida, the winner of last month's contest.

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We hope everyone finds the FloridaPets.net Web site useful and we hope everyone will enjoy this issue of the NewsPetter. Your opinions matters, so please write us with any comments, suggestions or requests. Until next month, thanks for "tailing" along with us and remember our motto:

"They're part of the family, so take them along!"

Patricia Collier
Editor

Special Note: If you cannot see the photographs in this NewsPetter, you are missing a lot of neat stuff! Some of our readers just can't get email in the HTML format that allows them to view pictures and other artwork, so we've come up with this solution:

Party Animals, Unite!
By Patricia Collier

On Sunday, June 11, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Best Western in Plantation, Florida will host a Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Pet Bash in support of The Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act). With hurricane season approaching again, passage of the PETS Act is critical. Events such as the bash are being held nationwide to raise funds for the humane society's lobbying efforts surrounding this bill.

There is no cover charge for the party and a portion of the proceeds from the bar will be donated to the HSUS. There will be lots of treats, music, dancing and a silent auction. Best of all, four-legged friends are welcome to join in on all the evening's fun!

Please RSVP by calling 954-556-8283. For more information about the bash, check out Party with a Purpose. And, if you haven't already urged lawmakers to sign the PETS Act, it's not too late. The U.S. Senate must still approve the final bill. You may nudge them a bit here.

Paradise between the bay and the sea
By Patricia Collier

This month's pet-friendly get-away is Snug Harbor Inn in Madeira Beach, located in Pinellas County, not far from St. Pete Beach.

The Inn enjoys a most enviable and unusual location. Guests can watch the Florida sunrise over the Boca Ciega Bay then turn around in the evening and watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. A nice, heated pool rounds out the water, water, everywhere fantasy. Boat slips are available, as shown in photo above, but call ahead for more info.

Each unit at the Snug Harbor is named and decorated after a different play in which the proprietors, actors T.J. and Susan Gill, have performed. Pets are allowed if friendly and well-behaved. There is no size limit, no nightly fee and no deposit. Guests will be expected to reimburse for any damages caused by their pet. Snug Harbor Inn even offers a fenced-in and shaded play yard for the comfort and security of pets and a 130-feet deck area where, if no one objects, your dog may play without being leashed. This is a very pet-friendly facility. So if you go, please, oh, please, be responsible and pick up after your pet.

Beauty queens come in large packages, too

Meet Dora, companion to
Delinda & Aloysius Papak of Bradenton.

Dora is a two and one-half-year-old English Mastiff, pictured here showing off some of her girlie gear.

"Our big girl won a trophy in last December's Doggy Diva fashion show," Delinda said, "We're so proud of her!"

Would you like FloridaPets.net to feature your pet(s) in the NewsPetter or as Pet(s) of the Week on the Web site? If so, please email WebMistress. Send 1 or 2 photos of your pet(s) and tell us things like breed, age, sex, personality, likes, dislikes, how you found each other and anything else you would like to share with others. Please type "Submission" in the subject line of your note and send photos in JPG or GIF format.

A La Doggie? It's now up to Gov. Bush. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, and Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs that would allow restaurants to welcome Rover and Fido in outdoor dining areas is now on Gov. Jeb Bush's desk, awaiting his signature. The bill would arrange for a three-year test program to start July 1 that would allow, not require, restaurants throughout Florida to welcome dogs in outdoor dining areas. We'll post updates in next month's NewsPetter.

Another good reason for the PETS Act? According to a recent Zogby International poll, 49 percent of adults said they would refuse to evacuate from their homes if they couldn't take their pets with them.

Senior citizens should not be denied pets in their own homes. Citizens for Pets in Condos helps promote the benefits of pet companionship. The site has lots of info and a petition you can sign to help promote the cause.

Time for the repetitive, subliminal message from FloridaPets.net:
"Doggie pooper scoopers, use them, always, everywhere you go. Good human."

Have a pet-related tidbit, tip or tale? Send it to WebMistress and we'll share it with other readers of the NewsPetter.

POOP-FREEZE Aerosol Freeze Spray
Brand new from the
FloridaPets.net Paw Patch Shoppe

We told you last month we were trying out a new product and that if it met with our approval, we'd tell you about it this month. Well, we've decided this product is not only good, we predict it will revolutionize the pet-friendly lifestyle. Meet POOP- FREEZE.

Whether you and your pet are going to the dog park, on a week's vacation, or just over to your sister's house for an hour, POOP-FREEZE will help keep the whole "doodie" clean-up procedure quick and easy. POOP-FREEZE is a specially formulated freeze spray that, upon contact, forms a frosty film on dog (or cat) poop to harden the surface for easy pick-up and placement into your pooper scooper or doo doo bag. Now your pet will be a welcomed guest wherever the two of you roam - if you, the human, do your part.

POOP-FREEZE is non-flammable, contains no CFC’s and is perfect for both outside and indoor use. Totally safe for both humans and pets when used as directed. Retails at $14.95 plus shipping for a 10 oz. can, but we've bought this magical product in bulk so we can offer you the same for only $10.99 plus shipping. Just click on the link below for product and ordering information.

Email: webmistress@floridapets.net

Phone: 904-879-9352

Web: http://www.floridapets.net