From the Florida Department of Health Division of Disease Control and Health Protection Bureau of Epidemiology:

RABIES RELATED ESSENTIAL SERVICES (Florida Statute 828.30)

ASPCA supports veterinary telemedicine during COVID-19 Pandemic

CLICK HERE TO READ THEIR STATEMENT

2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

FL 2020 ANIMAL WELFARE BILLS - NEED-TO-KNOW END OF SESSION UPDATES

This link includes some terrific resources regarding spay/neuter guidelines and COVID-19:

CLICK HERE  

Shelter Medicine experts Dr. Sandra Newbury and Dr. Julie Levy explain why spay/neuter is considered an elective procedure and the multiple reasons why these surgeries should be suspended during COVID-1.

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Florida Animal Friend (FAF) awards annual grants to municipal and non-profit agencies in the state of Florida who perform spay and neutering services to cats and dogs.

Grant Applications are available each January 1st and the deadline for submission is May 1st. In August, we announce the grant winners and the grant funds are released on August 15th. Follow-up reports are due September 1st the following year.

From the Florida Department of Health Division of Disease Control and Health Protection Bureau of Epidemiology:

 H.B. 1237/S.B. 1698 contains harmful language that would invalidate existing local laws and strip all Florida cities and towns of their authority to enact similar laws, leaving more dogs to suffer in squalid conditions.

ASPCA ADVOCACY ALERT

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In the animal welfare field, it’s not uncommon to hear people say that they “feel alone” or that “nobody else cares”. It’s a difficult field to work in – heavily passionate -- and it’s easy to feel isolated, and like there is always so much more work to be done. 

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB) actively mentors other humane organizations in Florida and across the country in Trap/Neuter/Vaccinate/Return (TNVR) best practices. 

The Society has seen great success in their own TNVR efforts, sterilizing more than 66,000 free-roaming cats since the program's inception in 2008. In addition, with their close partnership with Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center (the county's municipal shelter), HSTB has helped reduce the area's cat euthanasia rate by 60%.

Posted by Kate MacFall, HSUS Florida Director and FAAWO Advisory Board Member: 

"[It was a] great day on Florida’s Capitol Hill ... learning about and raising awareness on issues pertaining to animals. What was so striking this year is that there are over a dozen animal welfare bills being considered. My take away from this is that whatever we can envision for the world is absolutely achievable with kind, compassionate awareness raising. [I am] very grateful to the organizers of this event and to all those who were able to take time away from their busy lives to be here."

Florida law enforcement officers are lending their support for legislation to include pets in domestic violence temporary restraining orders (SB 1082/HB241). In a video posted on the ASPCA's Facebook page, Florida law enforcement officers and State Representative Sam Killebrew urge Floridians to join them in supporting the bill.

The legislation has already passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and the Senate Agriculture Committee. It still must be reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judiciary and Rules committees. 

Bahama Hurricane Relief

From our partner organizations, updated 9.30.19, 4:50 PM

The 2019 Florida Legislature adjourned on May 3. During session, lawmakers introduced bills to allow veterinarians to report animal cruelty when they witness evidence of cruelty in private practice; prohibit predatory, deceptive pet leasing schemes at puppy-selling pet stores; ensure pets can be included in domestic violence temporary restraining orders; require continuing education for shelter euthanasia technicians; prohibit shelters from euthanizing animals if a non-profit rescue group has agreed to take in the animal, with narrow exceptions; prohibit dog tethering abandonment during disasters; and more. 

Here are a few highlights of issues that gained traction in 2019: