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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to the Gertrude Maxwell Save a Pet Act;

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providing a short title; creating s. 570.97, F.S.;

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creating a direct-support organization for the Department

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of Agriculture and Consumer Services; providing for the

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organization and operation of the direct-support

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organization; providing for the purpose of the direct-

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support organization; providing that the direct-support

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organization be governed by a board of directors;

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providing for membership and terms; providing for the

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appointment of honorary board members; providing an

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effective date.

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     WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 800,000 homeless,

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discarded, abandoned, stray, and unclaimed dogs and cats are

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euthanized in the state each year, and

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     WHEREAS, in 7 years one female cat and her offspring can

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theoretically produce 420,000 cats, and in 6 years one female dog

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and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs, and

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     WHEREAS, the cost to spay or neuter pet and feral cats is

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about $20-$70 per cat, while the approximate cost to capture,

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house, feed, and eventually euthanize a homeless animal is about

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$100, and

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     WHEREAS, reducing euthanasia of unwanted animals can save

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lives of companion animals and potential service animals and save

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tax dollars and many homeless animals can be trained as service

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animals and therapy animals, NOW, THEREFORE,

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1. This act may be cited as the "Gertrude Maxwell

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Save a Pet Act."

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     Section 2.  Section 570.97, Florida Statutes, is created to

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read:

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     570.97 Gertrude Maxwell Save a Pet Direct-Support

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Organization.--

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     (1) The Gertrude Maxwell Save a Pet Direct-Support

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Organization is created within the Department of Agriculture and

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Consumer Services. The direct-support organization is governed by

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this section and ss. 570.902 and 570.903.

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     (2) The purpose of the direct-support organization is to

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provide grants to animal shelters for spaying and neutering, for

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shelters and services during times of emergencies, and to develop

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and disseminate educational materials concerning the care of

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pets. The direct-support organization may not participate in,

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endorse, or financially support political activities at the

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national, state, or local level.

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     (3) The direct-support organization shall be governed by a

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board of directors made up of eight members. The board of

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directors of the direct-support organization shall include the

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Commissioner of Agriculture, or his or her designee. The

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Commissioner of Agriculture shall appoint one representative of

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each of the following groups as recommended by that group who

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shall be appointed to a term of 4 years:

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     (a) The Florida Veterinary Medical Association;

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     (b) The Cat Fancier Association;

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     (c) The Florida Association of Kennel Clubs;

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     (d) A humane society organization;

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     (e) The Florida Animal Control Association;

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     (f) The National Rifle Association; and

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     (g) One citizen member not otherwise associated with any of

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the named organizations.

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     (4) The Commissioner of Agriculture may appoint up to three

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nonvoting honorary members. Nominees must be individuals,

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companies, or organizations that have demonstrated commitment to,

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or made significant contributions to, the health, safety, or

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well-being of animals. Gertrude Maxwell, or her designee, shall

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be appointed as the first honorary member of the direct-support

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organization. Honorary board members shall be appointed to a 1-

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year term and may be appointed to a maximum of two consecutive

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terms.

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     Section 3.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.