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FloridaSB 10042026SenateWALLET

Domestic Animals

Sponsored By: Don Gaetz (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationCommerce and TourismJudiciaryRulesHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

More refund help for pet buyers

Beginning July 1, 2026, pet-dealer buyers have 30 days for their chosen licensed veterinarian to certify illness at sale, including parasites except fleas and ticks. The window is 1 year for inherited disorders harming health or false claims about breed, sex, or health. Buyers can return the animal for a refund, including sales tax, interest, and fees, or an equal-value exchange, plus reasonable exam, certification, and necessary emergency-care costs. Buyers can instead keep the animal and seek reasonable costs for necessary treatment within 1 year; reimbursement is no longer capped at the purchase price. Buyers have 7 business days to notify dealers after receiving the veterinarian's finding, up from 2, and 3 business days to provide the written certificate after receiving it; dealers must refund or exchange within 10 business days after receiving the signed certificate.

Stronger court remedies for pet buyers

Beginning July 1, 2026, buyers have a court remedy when dealers dispute a demand and require their own veterinarian's exam. Buyers can sue if no agreement is reached within 10 business days after the dealer receives the animal for examination. They can seek veterinary costs, a refund, or an exchange in court, including small claims where the owner lives. Courts can also award punitive damages of at least $2,500, but an award is not guaranteed. Pet-sale violations are first-degree misdemeanors and unfair or deceptive practices, exposing dealers to criminal penalties and civil consumer-protection remedies.

Clearer records and loans for pet buyers

Beginning July 1, 2026, pet dealers must disclose all financing terms before sale. When buyers return an animal for a legal refund, dealers must end financing agreements made through them without penalty. Dealers must provide pre-sale exam, test, and medicine records and keep sale and medical records for at least 7 years. Buyers must receive and sign a separate rights notice in 14-point bold print; inspection certificates must list vaccines, deworming medicines, diagnoses, and treatments. Dealers cannot require buyers to waive their return, exchange, or reimbursement rights.

Public tools to identify animal cruelty

Beginning January 1, 2027, Florida's law enforcement department must publish a searchable animal-cruelty offender database. It covers convictions and guilty or no-contest pleas, even when a court withholds a formal judgment of guilt. Records include names, aliases, birth dates, race, conviction counties, charges, case numbers, outcomes, identifying marks or tattoos, and booking photos. Court clerks and county detention facilities must supply the required information and images. Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida's business regulation department must post cruelty and abandonment rules, penalties, reporting instructions, and at least one reporting contact per county.

Voluntary care guidance for dog breeders

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida's business regulation department must publish voluntary best practices for dog breeders. They cover breeding, feeding, housing, health, enrichment, facility operations, sales, transfers, and recordkeeping. The department must also provide buyer guidance and an animal-purchase checklist to help identify breeders following these practices. Breeders do not have to adopt them. Local governments retain authority to set breeder requirements.

Disclosed pet disorders limit refund rights

Beginning July 1, 2026, a written disorder disclosure can limit a pet buyer's refund and exchange rights. The dealer must name the congenital or inherited disorder in writing at sale. The buyer must sign a notice confirming a veterinarian examined the animal and found that disorder. The buyer then loses refund and exchange rights for that specific disorder.

Fewer sellers face pet dealer rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida raises the yearly pet-dealer threshold from more than 2 litters or 20 animals. The new threshold is more than 3 litters or 30 dogs or cats, whichever is greater. It covers business sales to the public, including breeders selling directly to buyers. Nonprofits are excluded when they do not buy dogs or cats from breeders or brokers. Some smaller sellers face fewer duties, but their customers may lose the law's pet-dealer protections.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Don Gaetz

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Rules

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 191 • No: 0

House vote • 3/9/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 110 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/20/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Rules Vote

Yes: 24 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/3/2026

Judiciary Vote

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/21/2026

Commerce and Tourism Vote

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-76, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 559 (Ch. 2026-78)

    5/13/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    5/12/2026

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    5/11/2026

  4. Ordered enrolled

    3/17/2026Senate

  5. CS passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0

    3/9/2026House

  6. Read 3rd time

    3/9/2026House

  7. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    3/9/2026House

  8. Read 2nd time

    3/9/2026House

  9. 1st Reading (Engrossed 1)

    3/5/2026House

  10. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026)

    3/5/2026House

  11. Bill referred to House Calendar

    3/5/2026House

  12. In Messages

    2/20/2026House

  13. Immediately certified -SJ 419

    2/20/2026Senate

  14. CS passed as amended; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 419

    2/20/2026Senate

  15. Read 3rd time -SJ 419

    2/20/2026Senate

  16. Amendment(s) adopted (342166) -SJ 417

    2/20/2026Senate

  17. Read 2nd time -SJ 417

    2/20/2026Senate

  18. Retained on Special Order Calendar -SJ 356

    2/19/2026Senate

  19. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/19/26

    2/17/2026Senate

  20. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    2/12/2026Senate

  21. CS by Rules read 1st time

    2/11/2026Senate

  22. Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

    2/10/2026Senate

  23. CS by- Rules; YEAS 24 NAYS 0

    2/10/2026Senate

  24. On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/10/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

    2/5/2026Senate

  25. Now in Rules

    2/3/2026Senate

Bill Text

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