The Florida Senate

The bill implements consumer protections related to the sale of cats and dogs in the state by:

• Increasing the time that a consumer can invoke certain rights to be 30 days, instead of 14 days, after certain veterinarian findings and the time the consumer must notify the pet dealer of the veterinarian’s determination from two business days to seven business days.
• Mandating that a pet dealer selling a dog or cat must ensure that a pet financing arrangement is terminated without penalty to the consumer if the animal is found to be unfit for purchase due to illness or disease and the consumer elects to return the animal and allowing refund of interest and fees in addition to other purchase costs.
• Allowing buyers to receive reimbursement for veterinary treatment of a sick animal within one year after purchase.
• Requiring all financing terms to be disclosed to a consumer.
• Relieving a pet dealer of the requirement to provide a refund or exchange for a sick animal if the consumer signs a notification that indicates the animal had an identified congenital or hereditary disorder at the time of sale.
• Requiring a pet dealer to provide copies of certain medical records to a consumer purchasing a dog or cat.
• Allowing a consumer to initiate action in county court small claims court division if the consumer and pet dealer cannot agree on refund, exchange, or reimbursement. The consumer may collect punitive damages, which must be at least $2,500.
• Altering a notice given to a consumer regarding consumer rights in pet sales and requiring the notice be on a separate form from the contract to purchase the pet.
• Excluding non-profit entities, that do not purchase dogs or cats from a breeder or broker, from the definition of a pet dealer.
• Increasing the amount of sales to be defined as a pet dealer, from the sale of more than two litters or 20 pets in a year to the public to three litters or 30 pets in a year.
• Requiring a pet dealer to maintain records provided to a consumer for seven years after the sale.
• Providing that a violation of s. 828.29, F.S., is a violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The bill also mandates that Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) include specified information about individuals who violate animal cruelty laws on its website by January 1, 2027. The bill requires clerks of court and county detention facilities provide FDLE with any information necessary under the bill.

Last, the bill requires the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to develop a list of best management practices that dog breeders may voluntarily adopt and implement. DBPR must post specified information on its website relating to best management practices and animal cruelty laws.

If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor's signature, these provisions take effect on July 1, 2026.

Vote: Senate 36-0; House 110-0