Florida Senate - 2016 (NP) SR 1796 By Senator Sobel 33-05227-16 20161796__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution commending Victoria Q. Gaetz for her 3 lifelong commitment to the welfare of animals. 4 5 WHEREAS, from a young age, Niceville resident Victoria Q. 6 Gaetz has made the welfare of animals a priority, and 7 WHEREAS, one of the early memories of her children is the 8 time Victoria Q. Gaetz noticed that a baby blue jay had fallen 9 from a tree at their Miami home, so she scooped up the bird and 10 took it to a veterinarian for care, and 11 WHEREAS, after Victoria Q. Gaetz and her husband, Senator 12 Don Gaetz, purchased their home in Seaside, the family began 13 feeding the numerous stray cats they discovered there, gaining 14 the animals’ trust and eventually taking them to a local 15 veterinarian for checkups and neutering or spaying, and 16 WHEREAS, Victoria Q. Gaetz keeps cat and dog food in the 17 back of her car so that she can provide a meal to any stray she 18 meets, even stopping in heavy traffic to put out food for them, 19 and 20 WHEREAS, during the last three decades, Victoria Q. Gaetz 21 has rescued six cats — Cornelius, Chloe, Tiger Lily, Isabella, 22 Tuxedo, and Cupcake — and three dogs — Scarlett, Stella, and 23 Fairbanks, and 24 WHEREAS, Victoria Q. Gaetz compassionately volunteers time 25 and donates resources to such local animal rescue organizations 26 as Alaqua Animal Refuge, Spay Fairy Farm, and Save Our Cats and 27 Kittens, NOW, THEREFORE, 28 29 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 30 31 That the Senate commends lifelong advocate Victoria Q. 32 Gaetz for her devotion to the welfare of animals.