HI,

We would like to rent a 2-3 bedroom FL beach front condo or house for 2-3 weeks in Aug. 2004. We want to take our dog (65 lb Weimaraner - house and crate trained). Any advise on FL beaches and properties to look into would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! Happy new year! Leslie

I have been to Bowman's Beach in Sanibel Island many times and there have been dogs there. I do believe that dogs are allowed on most of Sanibels beaches. Finding a condo rental that will accept dogs may be another story.
Just be careful bringing a dog to a beach for a long period of time in August. As a dog owner, I am sure that you are aware that dogs are not very resilient in the heat and are very prone to heat stroke.

My favorite rental website is VRBO.com. Their listings have an icon for properties that are pet friendly. We stayed in a nice condo in Destin last year that allowed pets. I don't think dogs are allowed on most of the panhandle beaches.

Also check vacationrentals.com.

Although you can find many rentals that will allow dogs (usually with a hefty non-refundable dog deposit), most Florida beaches do not allow dogs. And you will get a ticket if you bring your dog to the beach. This is a hotly debated issue in Florida with vocal proponents and opponents on both sides, and if you venture onto the beach with a dog you are taking your life into your hands. In some beach communities, such as Sunset Beach in St. Petersburg where I own a beach rental, there is scant land available for dog walking and pooping as beach properties are cottage-sized on small plots in this urban beach. There is an ordinance there requiring you to clean up after your dog when you walk it on the streets (which of course you would do anyway).

I don't think that any beaches in the St. Pete area allow dogs. There used to be a section of Honeymoon Island on Dunedin Beach called (I think) Dog Beach where you could take your dog. I don't know if it still allows dogs, I've not been there in awhile.

Good luck with your pooch.

Hi=

Even if the condo allows dogs, it is ONLY to the actual CONDO OWNER, not the renter...

As I have a condo in FL that does allow dogs- but if I rent it out, the renters CANNOT bring a dog...

Also , with condos, there are weight restrictions for pets..Ours is 14 lbs..

IN addition, the beaches ( in Boca) do NOT allow pets to roam...( Poop factor) , yet there is a terrific DOG PARK on Yamato Rd that people bring their dogs to socialize...

Wish the beaches DID allow pets..but most of the world is NOT pet friendly, esp where beaches are concerned...

There is a book called The Dog Lovers Companion to Florida. I've not read it but it is in its 3rd edition so I'm guessing it's good and comprehensive. Last printing was 2001 so it's at least up-to-date to 2001.

Here's an interesting article for you to read about dogs in Lee County (Sanibel):

http://www.bonitadailynews.com/03/09...a/d994623a.htm

I just googled "Pet Friendly Fl Condos" and came up with these sites for pet friendly vacation rentals...

http://www.rentalsexpress.com/pet-fr...ation-rentals/
http://www.vacations-abroad.com/florida/destin.html
http://www.patterofrain.com/vacation...on-rentals.htm

Cape San Blas is in the NW Florida Panhandle and was just ranked the #1 Dog Friendly Beach in the USA! It is a great place to take your dogs--they are allowed on the beach anytime and the beaches are not crowded! There are no highrised condos on Cape San Blas and 10 of it's 20 miles is St. Joseph Peninsula State Park---your dogs are allowed on the bay side there and it's wonderful for exploring!

Have a great time taking your dog with you on vacation to Cape San Blas!

www.petswelcome.com and www.dogfriendly.com are great resources.

Wendy- I think that the OP probably had fun and already went on the trip considering that she posted in Jan 04. Advertising is not allowed on this forum.