AARP Endorses ARC
Bentley Lipscomb, AARP Florida State Director,
with his companion
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AARP is the voice for some 2.6 million Florida members and the 50 and
over population as a whole. Now AARP is joining in the fight to protect senior
citizens’ rights in regards to pets.
“We believe that older folks are being hurt by these policies,” said AARP
Florida State Director, Bentley Lipscomb. The policies Mr. Lipscomb is referring to are
the “no pets” rules imposed by housing associations.
AARP stands firmly behind the medical research that demonstrates that older people who
have a pet live longer, go to the doctor less often, recover more quickly from illnesses
and have a more positive outlook than those who do not have a pet.
As a result, AARP is hosting two informational sessions in Sarasota to inform and
educate residents about this issue and what can be done. One issue to be discussed is the
petitioning of Sarasota residents and the ordinance that is going to be presented to
Sarasota County government.
“It is a basic constitutional right to petition the government and this is an
opportunity for community residents to exercise this right and have their voice
heard,” adds Lipscomb. AARP’s stance is that people shouldn’t have to
choose between their pet and their home.
