Pet Friendly
Come, Rufus! Come, Rover! Grab your furry friends and hit the beach – it’s all gone to the dogs! The quaint coastal villages and towns that comprise Franklin County, located on the northwest Gulf coast of Florida, open their arms to the family pet(s) with exceptional pet-friendly options for travelers. St. George Island, Dog Island and Carrabelle Beaches are amongst the few left in Florida where the pooches may still prance - provided that they, and their owners, are well-behaved. Additionally, a new law in effect within the state and local governments of Florida now allows outdoor dining establishments to welcome their customers’ dogs. From pet-friendly accommodations and restaurants to pet-friendly parks and beaches – Spot will feel more than welcome in Franklin County.
Upon arrival, Spot will enjoy the luxury of frolicking on some of the world’s finest beaches. For those dogs on-leash or under direct voice control (and with clean-up required), the public beaches of St. George Island, Carrabelle Beach and the secluded and remote Dog Island welcome dogs of all sizes. The Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park and the Dog Island nature conservancy are off-limits to our four-legged friends (with the exception of pet-friendly campsites at the state park), but elsewhere along the coast, dogs are encouraged to romp and explore the natural seascape. For those hounds with sea legs, some boats will gladly accommodate dogs on a variety of their natural adventures. Eco-tours, bay fishing excursions, sunset cruises, powerboat and kayak rentals are some of the ways that the dog-loving folks can make sure that man’s best friend has the opportunity to enjoy the fresh sea breezes and lush surrounds of the area. Additionally, Apalachicola’s Eco-venture Tours extend their welcome to the family pet.
Shopping, dining and exploring the charming towns of Franklin County holds even more merriment for the pooches. A special store just for pets and their people, in downtown Apalachicola, is a unique boutique that rolls out the red carpet for customers’ well-behaved pets. Offering gifts, apparel and accessories for pets and their owners, it has leashes, gourmet treats, designer beds and pet carriers, luxury pet bath and body products, pet life jackets for sea dogs, toys, breed-specific gifts, pet-centered greeting cards and more.
After you and your hound have worked up an appetite, whether exploring the towns, the parks, the seashore or the open waters, park those tired paws at one of many area outdoor dining establishments and enjoy some of the local fare. Lots of places invite guests to dine with their dogs on the outdoor patio and offers menu items for those furry companions that can be custom designed to fit individual diets. .
What’s more, events and festivities throughout the year celebrate “for the love of dogs and cats.” Area businesses regularly support fundraising efforts for the Franklin County Humane Society (FCHS). This August, Apalachicola’s historic Dixie Theatre presented the first “Dog Days of Summer,” a celebration of “all things canine,” and planned to become an annual event. The festivities commenced with a Friday night “Yappy Hour” at the Dixie, followed by the “Parade of Pups” and a dinner and auction, “Eatin’ with the Big Dogs,” to benefit FCHS. Also held annually in October to benefit FCHS, the “Howl-oween Bow Wow Ball” on St. George Island provides a venue for costumed revelers to celebrate Halloween and support the good cause. In January, Apalachicola’s annual “Art for Arf” benefits FCHS with an auction of artwork by local artists. With these festive opportunities to support the efforts of the Humane Society, and with the genuine hospitality shown to resident and visiting pets, Franklin County is truly pet-friendly.
For those travelers who can’t bear to board their pets after a day at play, a trip to Franklin County has the cure. On St. George Island, vacationers may choose from hundreds of pet-friendly lodging options. To name a few, Collins Vacation Rentals boasts 123 pet-friendly accommodations of almost 275 rental homes and condos, and Resort Vacation Properties extends the welcome mat to the family pet(s) at 213 of 386 total properties. Vacation rentals range from the cozy coastal cottage or condo to the luxuriously outfitted, multi-level beach-front home – with rates to accommodate any vacation budget, and the most particular of pups. And for those who like to sleep under the stars, Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park offers pet-friendly campsites.
In Apalachicola, the historic and renowned Gibson Inn and Coombs House will accommodate pets, as do the exquisite lodgings at The Consulate and the city’s newest accommodations at the Water Street Hotel. Additional pet friendly services can be found at the laid-back quarters of the Rancho Inn. In Carrabelle, pets are welcomed by the Ho-Hum RV Park, the Carrabelle Palms RV Resort & Park and the pet-friendly rentals at Sandy Beach Properties. On Alligator Point, critters will find pet-friendly lodgings offered by Harbor Point Realty. After they’ve worn themselves out playing in the surf or accompanying their owners on the sea or in town, those four-legged friends will have plenty of places to rest their weary heads. Come to Franklin County…and bring Fido!
