TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Floridians could soon be guaranteed a pet-friendly emergency shelter.
That's if a bill, lawmakers approved today, gets the governor's signature.
House Bill 705, requires each county to designate a shelter where pets would be allowed during an emergency, like a hurricane.
The legislation received unanimous support in the Senate this morning, after getting the full backing of the House.
The bill's Senate sponsor hoped the measure would help save lives by encouraging more pet owners to use shelters, during the state's next emergency.
"When the order comes to evacuate, if they don't have a place to go with their pets, many do not go," Sen. Aaron Bean said. "Members, we can correct that today with the passage of this bill."
After he gets the bill, Governor DeSantis will have several days to decide whether or not to sign it.
If passed, it would take effect July of this year.