VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — We could soon see more four-legged friends on Volusia County beaches.

The County Council voted this week to explore a test area for allowing dogs on the county’s shorelines.

It is something one local non-profit has been working toward for years. 

For Nanette McKeel Petrella, living just blocks from the sand in Daytona Beach is paradise. “We wanted to be within walking distance to the beach that is why we are here,” said Petrella.

But what she didn’t know when she moved here years ago is that she couldn’t take her pups, Mac, Samson, and Delilah with her to enjoy the shoreline.

“Obviously we became aware of the fact that they were not allowed on the beach, so it was very disappointing,” said Petrella.

According to the county, dogs have been banned from Volusia beaches since 1987, except at Lighthouse Point Park and Smyrna Dunes Park, areas that Petrella says often become overcrowded and are hard for many to access.

“It is not really meeting the demand for the residents or for the tourists,” said Petrella.

That’s why she joined a local Facebook group pushing to change that. It eventually grew into the non-profit Daytona Dog Beach Inc., which she is the president of.

Back in 2021, they first brought their argument for allowing dogs on the beach to the council, only for it to be voted down.

“It was very disappointing, very disillusioning,” said Petrella. “We felt they wanted us to just go away and not bring it up again, and it actually strengthened our resolve.”

But on Tuesday, Petrella and her organization got a different response, with the council voting to test allowing dogs on the beach at Bicentennial Park.

Council members will review more information and options during the March 21 meeting surrounding enforcement, fees to bring dogs into the allowable zone and the length of the area where dogs may be allowed. Petrella says it’s a step in the right direction.

“We hope to support it in any way we can,” said Petrella.

In the meantime, Petrella says she’ll keep working to come up with solutions for any concerns that people have about this change, hoping her dogs will be able to put their paws in the sand soon.

“Despite the fact that this ban has been in place all these years, change can happen,” said Petrella.

Petrella also shared that she understands concerns from groups like the Audubon Society and the Sea Turtle Watchers. However, she says her non-profit hopes to work with them to come up with ways to work together so that everyone can enjoy the beach and leave it better than they found it.