TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new proposal aimed at protecting dogs from abuse and eliminating unethical puppy mills across Florida. The plan, developed in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will establish statewide standards for responsible dog care and increase accountability for violators.
Under the proposal, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation would begin licensing dog breeders to ensure humane practices and compliance with animal welfare laws. The initiative targets abusive practices that abuse dogs through overbreeding, confinement in cramped cages, exposure to extreme weather, and deprivation of food and water.
“In Florida, we will always fight to protect man’s best friend,” Governor DeSantis said. “The proposals we are announcing today will end unethical puppy mills, hold abusive breeders accountable, and help rescue dogs find loving homes.”
Main provisions of the proposal
The plan includes several measures aimed at improving animal welfare and strengthening enforcement.
Abuse Reporting Hotline: Creates a statewide hotline for residents to report abusive breeders and inhumane conditions. Pet Store Adoption Priority: A requirement that pet stores provide space to local animal shelters to hold adoption events before selling dogs sourced from breeders. Increased penalties for animal abuse: Creation of new laws to increase penalties for those who abuse or torture animals, especially in the presence of minors.
Based on recent animal protection laws
This effort builds on two animal protection laws signed by Governor DeSantis earlier this year: the Police Officers Act and the Dexter Act.
The Police Officer Act, named after a dog rescued by the Florida Highway Patrol during Hurricane Milton, would make it a felony to abandon or restrain a dog during a state of emergency.
Dexter’s Law was enacted in response to the brutal murder of a recently adopted dog and increases sentencing for individuals convicted of torturing or killing animals. We are also establishing a statewide animal abuser database to prevent animal abusers from adopting pets in the future.
Through these new measures, Florida continues to expand its animal welfare efforts and strengthen protections for pets and shelter animals across the state.
