Bill would make shelter animals Florida’s official state pet

You have heard of the official state animal, but have you heard of a state pet? A Florida senator wants to give shelter animals the special honor.

When Bill Bro met Roussey, it was a match made in shelter heaven.

“I didn’t pick Roussey, she picked me,” Bro said. “Just sometimes happens with shelter pets, as it did with her and we’ve been best friends ever since.”

But not all shelter animals are as lucky.

Jennifer Galloway, the executive director for the Gulf Coast Humane Society, said life events such as a death, divorce and job changes all lead these animals to them.

Galloway told WINK News she supports Sen. Kevin Rader’s new bill, SB 240, which would make shelter animals Florida’s official state pet. She said it brings awareness to the work many people are doing.

If the bill passes in the legislative session next year, the sunshine state will join 14 others with official pets. It is something Galloway hopes could make a real difference and shine a light on getting pets like Roussey a forever home.

“It’ll hopefully help bring awareness to some of the other issues we’re constantly talking about,” Galloway said. “The inhumane things that are happening to some of our pets in our community.”