Pet Friendly Florida Politicians Compiled from various sources and organized by Patricia Collier, Owner, FloridaPets.net Fortunately, issues about pets are usually some of the most bipartisan matters dealt with on Capital Hill. Lawmakers have a huge say about pet issues and so it behooves us to know which politicians are pet-friendly - and which ones are not. We are voters with pets. Here at FloridaPets.net, we've been researching this matter and have several names to present to you for your consideration in any upcoming elections. On a Federal Level The Federal bill called the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS) Act gave all lawmakers a chance to shine. Very few opposed it and after some revisions, it was signed into law October 6, 2006 by then-President George Bush. The purpose of the PETS Act was "to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that state and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency." Background on this issue: On Sept. 22, 2005, the House version of the bill (H.R. 3858) was introduced by now-deceased U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and former Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT). These two men were co-founders of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus and from past activity, it was always clear these two lawmakers cared about animals. In February, 2009, U.S. Reps. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), announced they would co-chair the newly formed Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, the newly-constituted Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus. Read more about the group's goals here. On a State Level The Humane Society Legislative Fund offers a wonderful voters guide on their Web site and their list of pet-friendly politicians/humane legislators, based on their voting records. Part of this 501(c) organization's mission is to work to pass animal protection laws, to educate people about protection issues and to support humane candidates for office. Even though the entire list is worth a read, we can tell you quickly that the pet friendly Florida politicians on the Fund's list include: U.S. Senatator Bill Nelson (D) U.S. House of Representatives, their party and their districts: FL 3: Corrine Brown (D) FL 4: Ander Crenshaw (R) FL 7: John Mica (R) FL 8: Ric Keller (R) FL 10: Bill Young (R) FL 11: Kathy Castor (D) FL 17: Kendrick Meek (D) FL 18: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) FL 19: Robert Wexler (D) (Also signed to support animal welfare funding in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill.) FL 20: Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)(Also signed to support animal welfare funding in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill.) FL 21: Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R) FL 22: Ron Klein (D) FL 23: Alcee Hastings (D) (Also signed to support animal welfare funding in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill.) FL 24: Clint Curtis (D) LOST in 2006 Mid-Term Election FL 25: Mario Diaz-Balart (R) FL 27: David Aronberg (D) Worked on the "doggie dining" bill FL 36: Sheri McInvale (D) Sponsored the "doggie dining" bill The following state lawmakers got high scores (85-100 percent) from the Humane Society on issues, including PETS, animal fighting & wild horses, etc. (* Already listed above ) * Brown (D) 3 Foley (R) 16 - no longer in office * Shaw (R) 22 * Wasserman-Schultz (D) 20 * Wexler (D) 19 -got a perfect 100 percent On a Local Basis (Additional Senators and/or Represenatives not cited by Humane Society above, but noted by readers of FloridaPets.net and why) FL 117: Rep. Julio Robaina (R ) - cited by Maida Genser of Citizens for Pets in Condos for his support of the group's efforts. Former State Legislator for FL 4, Charlie Clary (R) - cited by Maida Genser of Citizens for Pets in Condos for his support of the doggie dining bill. Clary actually introduced the bill. He has a Yorkie named "Dixie Cup." FL 48: Peter Nehr (R) - cited by Maida Genser of Citizens for Pets in Condos for his support of the group's efforts. FL 89: Mary Brandenburg (D) - cited by Maida Genser of Citizens for Pets in Condos for her support of the group's efforts. Is guardian to at least one dog. FL 52: Bill Heller (D) - Introduced HB 1227 to make bestiality a crime in Florida give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to crack down on the sexual abuse of animals, a problem which sadly exists in Florida. Mary McCarty - District 4 - (R) Palm Beach County Commissioner Submitted by an anonymous reader who said, "She has 3 dogs of her own, is a big advocate of doggie dining." The following Bay County Commissioners: Jerry Girvin, Vice Chairman - District 4 (R) George Gainer - District 2 (D) Mike Thomas - District 5 (R) Bill Dozier - District 3 (R) Mike Nelson, Chairman - District 1 (R) These commissioners were cited by Stephanie Somerset, Director of Bay Families with Dogs, Inc. Stephanie commented, "These Bay County elected officials have all supported dog lovers' access to Shell Island." State Representative Jimmy Patronis - District 6 (R) Cited by Stephanie Somerset, Director, Bay Families with Dogs, Inc. Stephanie comments, "This person has been supportive of dog lovers' access to Shell Island." Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush Had a black lab named Marvin and signed the Doggie Dining Bill July, 2006. How to Keep Track of What is Going On 1. Keep track of any bills in the Florida House of Representatives dealing with pets, animals, etc., by entering the words in "bill text" box - leave everything else blank. 2. Keep track of any bills in the Florida Senate dealing with pets, animals, etc., by entering the words in the "Search Bill Text" (on the left column) 3. Keep in touch with the lawmakers Here is the contact information for Florida State Legislators: Senate: The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-487-5270 Web site: The Florida Senate House: The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-488-1234 Web site: Online Sunshine Miscellaneous Resources 1. Dog Politics This is a great blog, offering lots of resources relating to dogs and politicians. 2. My Dog Votes Great bumper stickers, buttons and forms 3. A Guide to Constructing Successful Pet Friendly Ordinances This is a project of the National Animal Interest Alliance. (This page is slow to load; please be patient.) 4.Humane Society of the United States This is the legislative arms of the HSUS. Editor's Note: We've deem the following lobbyists important enough to make this list because, when it comes to animal issues, sometimes what's good (or bad) for them (and those who pay them) will be good (or bad) for animals. We are NOT saying they are pet-friendly, but it never hurts to garner support from anyone dealing direclty with the politicians. If you're interested in this avenue, get on their mailing lists and contact them and ask for their support when bills come up that can help companion animals. 5. Lobbyists Laura Elizabeth Cantwell Lobbyist for AARP 200 W College Ave Ste 304 Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-577-5163 Charles E. Milsted Lobbyist for AARP 200 W College Ave Ste 304 Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-577-5190 Leslie Ann Spencer Lobbyist for AARP 200 W College Ave # 304 Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-577-5165 Louis E. Goldman Lobbyist for Florida Association of Realtors 200 S Monroe St Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-224-1400 Harold L. Price Lobbyist for Florida Association of Realtors 200 S Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-224-1400 John M. Rothell Lobbyist for Florida Association of Realtors 200 S Monroe St Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-224-1400 Sarah E. Zieman Lobbyist for Florida Association of Realtors 200 S Monroe St Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-224-1400 So there you go! We hope this information will prove helpful to our readers. If there's a name here that should not be included, if you know of someone who should be added to this list, or if there is any incorrect info at all on this list, please Email Us. Sign up here for our FREE newsletter FloridaPets.net NewsPetter™ Join the FloridaPets.net mailing list Email: FloridaPets.net NewsPetter™ Archives.

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