⛱ We're off to the beach!

America's 💗🤍💙birthday week continues with hot🌡and sticky 🥵 temps, with a feel like factor of 98. Reminding you that St. Augustine's Daily Briefing will be on vacation Thursday and Friday, July 4-5. Newsletters will arrive in your inbox again on Monday, July 8. We wish everyone a safe, healthy and Happy Fourth of July!

Meet Moon, our final poster feline available for adoption at the St. Johns County Pet Center . Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

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Beach do's and don'ts ⛱

With beachgoers flocking to St. Augustine to celebrate Independence Day, St. Johns County is partnering with the Tourist Development Council to offer free shuttle service between St. Augustine Beach City Hall and the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier parking lot July 4-July 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Shuttles will run every 20 minutes, weather permitting.

County lifeguards, St. Johns County Sheriff's deputies, and St. Augustine Beach Police officers will work together July 4-July 7, to keep the beach safe for beachgoers.

Click here to read the do's, don'ts and beach happenings for the July 4 weekend.

What else you should know today: 🔊

🎨A call to artists: Debra Mixon Holliday will demonstrate collagraph printing on Saturday, July 6 and July 20, 1-3 p.m. at the Butterfield Garage Art Gallery . Click here for details.

🛶Get the paddleboards ready : The St. Johns County Parks & Recreation Center will host Veteran Paddleboard Fishing on Saturday, July 6, 6:30-9 p.m. at the Palmo Boat Ramp . Veterans will navigate Fish Mud Creek and Six-Mile Creek before enjoying a St. Johns River sunset. Reservations are required.

🌞 Visit Florida: According to the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 , over 22 million people call Florida home. The Sunshine State welcomed more than 140 million visitors in 2023.

😀Fun Fact: According to an article written by Dr. Gerald Hautman, chief medical officer for population health for United Healthcare , compared to women, men are 50% less likely to seek medical care with 72% polling a preference to perform household chores over visiting a doctor.

Questions with someone you should know... Forever Vets Murabella 🐶

Nationwide, America’s largest pet insurance carrier recently canceled pet coverage for almost 100,000 pets , blaming the high cost of veterinary care. As a dog owner, Micah's health and wellness remain a priority. I own a wellness plan through Micah’s veterinary clinic Forever Vets Murabella. We caught up with Joseph Kahm, practice manager at the St. Augustine office, to explain the difference between pet insurance and a wellness plan.

1. What is the difference between pet insurance and a pet wellness plan? Pet insurance is a policy that ties a name to numbered account. Hands-on, on-site care is our wellness care policy. The Forever Vets Pet Wellness Plan offers top-notch, preventative care at affordable prices. Wellness plans cover office visits, vaccines, blood work and dental cleanings. Pets and owners become a part of a clinic family. Insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, just what happens after the fact. We offer year-round preventative care; care to offset what can become a litany of issues.

Wellness plans also provide peace of mind. Pets are examined for sneezing weirdly or complicated issues that allow owners to visit without fear of cost. Serious issues may not be covered the way they are under insurance plans, but under a wellness plan, even those services are discounted.

2. Why are regular visits so important? Because we see pets consistently, we track the little things that otherwise might go un-noticed. Wellness plans enable us to make sure the pet is healthy and cared for all year long. People often wait too long to have pets checked because they’re terrified of paying an exorbitant amount of money. They’re not heartless, they’re just afraid of the cost. Wellness plans give pet owners the option and benefit of free pet checkups as often as they're needed.

3 . What percentage of pet parents’ own Forever Vets Pet Wellness Plan? About 50% of the patients — cats and dogs — we see are on a wellness plan. Forever Vets offers 10 different plans for puppies, kittens and senior cats and dogs along with any pet needing more specialized testing and care. Complicated issues such as cancers are referred to an outside specialist. Owners can upgrade, downgrade or cancel their plans at any time.

Click here for more information on Forever Vets Murabella's wellness plans.

Hey, along with sharing your favorite St. Augustine moments with us, if you've adopted a pet from the St. Johns Pet Adoption Center, let us know. Send pictures and your story along with celebrating family, friends, and solo days brimming with funny, historical or simply pleasant moments with a photo as well as the "Hey, I have an idea; and did you know; and why is this happening in St. Augustine?" and of course, Tuesday's, "I've got a question" notes to Lviti@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: ⛱ We're off to the beach!