Florida Senate - 2026 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. SB 1004
Ì651132nÎ651132
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
Comm: RCS .
02/10/2026 .
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The Committee on Rules (Gaetz) recommended the following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3 Delete everything after the enacting clause
4 and insert:
5 Section 1. Subsection (7) of section 828.12, Florida
6 Statutes, is amended, and a new subsection (8) is added to that
7 section, to read:
8 828.12 Cruelty to animals.—
9 (7) By Beginning January 1, 2027 2026, the Department of
10 Law Enforcement shall post on its website, in a searchable
11 format prescribed by the department, the names and any aliases,
12 the date of birth, the race, the counties of conviction, the
13 charges, the case numbers, the dispositions, the description of
14 any identifying marks and tattoos, and a photograph taken at the
15 time of booking related to the animal cruelty offense of each
16 individual those individuals who has have been convicted of, or
17 who has have entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to,
18 regardless of adjudication, a violation of this section.
19 (8) Each clerk of court and county detention facility must
20 provide the Department of Law Enforcement with the information,
21 data, and images required in subsection (7).
22 Section 2. Subsections (5) through (8), (10), (12), (13),
23 and (17) of section 828.29, Florida Statutes, are amended, and
24 subsections (18) and (19) are added to that section, to read:
25 828.29 Dogs and cats transported or offered for sale;
26 health requirements; consumer guarantee; disclosures.—
27 (5) If, within 30 14 days after following the sale by a pet
28 dealer of an animal subject to this section, a licensed
29 veterinarian of the consumer’s choosing certifies that, at the
30 time of the sale, the animal was unfit for purchase due to
31 illness or disease, the presence of symptoms of a contagious or
32 infectious disease, or the presence of internal or external
33 parasites, excluding fleas and ticks; or if, within 1 year after
34 following the sale of an animal subject to this section, a
35 licensed veterinarian of the consumer’s choosing certifies such
36 animal to be unfit for purchase due to a congenital or
37 hereditary disorder which adversely affects the health of the
38 animal; or if, within 1 year after following the sale of an
39 animal subject to this section, the breed, sex, or health of
40 such animal is found to have been misrepresented to the
41 consumer, the pet dealer shall afford the consumer the right to
42 choose one of the following options:
43 (a) The right to return the animal and receive a refund of
44 the purchase price, including any interest accrued and the sales
45 tax or fees paid or due from the purchaser, and reimbursement
46 for reasonable veterinary costs directly related to the
47 veterinarian’s examination and certification that the animal dog
48 or cat is unfit for purchase pursuant to this section or and
49 directly related to necessary emergency services and treatment
50 undertaken to relieve the suffering of such animal. If the
51 consumer financed the animal pursuant to a financing agreement
52 with the pet dealer, the pet dealer must ensure that the
53 financing agreement is terminated without penalty to the
54 consumer;
55 (b) The right to return the animal and receive an exchange
56 animal dog or cat of the consumer’s choice of equivalent value,
57 and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary costs directly
58 related to the veterinarian’s examination and certification that
59 the animal dog or cat is unfit for purchase pursuant to this
60 section or and directly related to necessary emergency services
61 and treatment undertaken to relieve the suffering of such
62 animal; or
63 (c) The right to retain the animal and receive
64 reimbursement for reasonable veterinary costs for necessary
65 services and treatment related to the attempt to cure or curing
66 of the animal, or necessary emergency services or treatment
67 undertaken to relieve the suffering of such animal received
68 within 1 year after purchase dog or cat.
69
70 Reimbursement for veterinary costs may not exceed the purchase
71 price of the animal. The cost of veterinary services is
72 reasonable if comparable to the cost of similar services
73 rendered by other licensed veterinarians in proximity to the
74 treating veterinarian and the services rendered are appropriate
75 for the certification by the veterinarian.
76 (6) All financing terms must be disclosed by the pet dealer
77 to the consumer before the sale of the animal. A mandatory
78 waiting period of at least 3 calendar days must be imposed
79 between the date of an agreement to purchase an animal and the
80 date on which the consumer takes possession of the animal, if
81 the consumer is financing the animal. The consumer may not sign
82 a financing agreement until the conclusion of the 3-day waiting
83 period A consumer may sign a waiver relinquishing his or her
84 right to return the dog or cat for congenital or hereditary
85 disorders. In the case of such waiver, the consumer has 48
86 normal business hours, excluding weekends and holidays, in which
87 to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian of the
88 consumer’s choosing. If the veterinarian certifies that, at the
89 time of sale, the dog or cat was unfit for purchase due to a
90 congenital or hereditary disorder, the pet dealer must afford
91 the consumer the right to choose one of the following options:
92 (a) The right to return the animal and receive a refund of
93 the purchase price, including sales tax, but excluding the
94 veterinary costs related to the certification that the dog or
95 cat is unfit; or
96 (b) The right to return the animal and receive an exchange
97 dog or cat of the consumer’s choice of equivalent value, but not
98 a refund of the veterinary costs related to the certification
99 that the dog or cat is unfit.
100 (7) Before the sale of an animal, a pet dealer must provide
101 to the consumer copies of records of all medical examinations or
102 tests that were conducted on the animal or any medication given
103 before the purchase of the animal. A pet dealer may specifically
104 state at the time of sale, in writing to the consumer, the
105 presence of specific congenital or hereditary disorders, in
106 which case the consumer has no right to any refund or exchange
107 for those identified disorders, if such consumer signs a
108 notification that indicates that the animal has been examined by
109 a veterinarian who determined that the animal has the identified
110 congenital or hereditary disorder.
111 (8) The refund or exchange required by subsection (5) must
112 or subsection (6) shall be made by the pet dealer not later than
113 10 business days after following receipt of a signed veterinary
114 certification as required in subsection (5) or subsection (6).
115 The consumer must notify the pet dealer within 7 2 business days
116 after receipt of the veterinarian’s determination that the
117 animal is unfit. The written certification of unfitness must be
118 presented to the pet dealer not later than 3 business days
119 following receipt thereof by the consumer.
120 (10) If a pet dealer wishes to contest a demand for
121 veterinary expenses, refund, or exchange made by a consumer
122 under this section, the dealer may require the consumer to
123 produce the animal for examination by a licensed veterinarian
124 designated by the dealer. Upon such examination, if the consumer
125 and the dealer are unable to reach an agreement that constitutes
126 one of the options set forth in subsection (5) or subsection (6)
127 within 10 business days after following receipt of the animal
128 for such examination, the consumer may initiate an action in a
129 court of competent jurisdiction, or the county court small
130 claims court division, in the county where the animal owner
131 resides, to recover or obtain reimbursement of veterinary
132 expenses and a, refund, or exchange, as set forth in subsection
133 (5), and may collect punitive damages in an amount not less than
134 $2,500 at the discretion of the court.
135 (12) Every pet dealer who sells an animal to a consumer
136 must provide the consumer at the time of sale with a printed,
137 written notice in 14-point boldface type to be signed by the
138 consumer, printed or typed, which is separate from the contract
139 and reads as follows:
140
141 RIGHT TO CANCEL
142 Florida consumers have certain rights under section
143 828.29, Florida Statutes. You have the right to: 1)
144 return the animal; 2) exchange the animal; and 3)
145 receive reimbursement for certain veterinary expenses
146 under certain circumstances. Please have your new pet
147 seen by a veterinarian immediately. A copy of this law
148 is attached to this notice.
149
150 It is the consumer’s right, pursuant to section
151 828.29, Florida Statutes, to receive a certificate of
152 veterinary inspection with each animal dog or cat
153 purchased from a pet dealer. Such certificate shall
154 list all vaccines and deworming medications
155 administered to the animal and list any medical
156 diagnosis and treatments and shall state that the
157 animal has been examined by a Florida-licensed
158 veterinarian who certifies that, to the best of the
159 veterinarian’s knowledge, the animal was found to have
160 been healthy at the time of the veterinary
161 examination. In the event that the consumer purchases
162 the animal and finds it to have been unfit for
163 purchase as provided in section 828.29(5), Florida
164 Statutes, the consumer must notify the pet dealer
165 within 7 2 business days after of the veterinarian’s
166 determination that the animal was unfit. The consumer
167 has the right to retain, return, or exchange the
168 animal and receive reimbursement for certain related
169 veterinary services rendered to the animal, subject to
170 the right of the dealer to have the animal examined by
171 another veterinarian.
172
173 ...(Signature of Animal owner or Lessee, or Owner’s or Lessee’s
174 Authorized Person)...
175
176 (13) For the purposes of this section subsections (5)-(12)
177 and (16), the term “pet dealer” means any person, firm,
178 partnership, corporation, or other association which, in the
179 ordinary course of business, engages in the sale of more than
180 three two litters, or 30 20 dogs or cats, per year, whichever is
181 greater, to the public. This definition includes breeders of
182 animals who sell such animals directly to a consumer. This
183 definition does not include not-for-profit entities that offer
184 animals for sale or adoption as long as the total cost of such
185 sale or adoption does not exceed $500, including all taxes and
186 fees, or other costs.
187 (17) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person
188 who violates any provision of this section commits a misdemeanor
189 of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
190 775.083.
191 (18) Any record provided to a consumer pursuant to the sale
192 of an animal under this section must be maintained by the pet
193 dealer for a period of at least 7 years after the sale.
194 (19) A pet dealer who violates this section commits an
195 unfair method of competition or an unfair or deceptive act or
196 practice in violation of part II of chapter 501 and is subject
197 to the penalties and remedies provided for such violations.
198 Section 3. Section 828.291, Florida Statutes, is created to
199 read:
200 828.291 Best management practices for dog breeding.—
201 (1) The purpose of this section is to allow voluntary
202 participation in best management practices relating to minimum
203 standards of care, facility operations, and breeding practices
204 for individuals or entities engaged in the breeding of dogs in
205 order to protect animal welfare, promote responsible breeding,
206 and ensure the health and safety of animals and consumers.
207 (2) This section may not be construed to prohibit a local
208 jurisdiction from implementing requirements for individuals or
209 entities engaged in the breeding of dogs.
210 (3) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
211 shall develop a list of best management practices that
212 individuals or entities engaged in the breeding of dogs may
213 voluntarily adopt and implement. Such best management practices
214 must include minimum standards of care, facility operations, and
215 breeding practices for individuals or entities engaged in the
216 breeding of dogs, including, but not limited to, standards
217 relating to all of the following:
218 (a) Breeding.
219 (b) Feeding.
220 (c) Housing.
221 (d) Health.
222 (e) Enrichment.
223 (f) Selling and transferring, in accordance with s. 828.29.
224 (g) Recordkeeping, in accordance with s. 828.29.
225 (4) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
226 shall post on its website guidance for the public about how to
227 identify the breeders that are following best breeder practices
228 and provide a checklist to use when purchasing an animal.
229 (5) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
230 shall post on its website information regarding animal cruelty,
231 including a description of conduct constituting animal cruelty
232 under ss. 828.12 and 828.13, the penalties for such conduct, and
233 instructions for reporting suspected animal cruelty or abuse to
234 the appropriate local authorities, including the contact
235 information for at least one appropriate authority for each
236 county in the state.
237 Section 4. Section 828.2911, Florida Statutes, is created
238 to read:
239 828.2911 Dog Awareness and Welfare Guidelines (DAWG)
240 Breeder Program.—
241 (1) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
242 shall establish the Dog Awareness and Welfare Guidelines (DAWG)
243 Breeder Program to recognize dog breeders who have voluntarily
244 adopted and implemented the best management practices for dog
245 breeding. The department shall certify any individual or entity
246 that the department has determined has voluntarily adopted and
247 implemented the best management practices for dog breeding
248 pursuant to s. 828.291 and that has complied with this section.
249 Such certification is good for 2 years, and dog breeders may
250 reapply at the expiration of such certification.
251 (2) Participants in the DAWG Breeder Program must agree to
252 submit to inspection by the Department of Agriculture and
253 Consumer Services, or its designee, and pay the actual cost for
254 such inspection. Subject to appropriations, the department, or
255 its designee, may conduct an inspection of the applicant’s dog
256 breeding program, including, but not limited to, all animals
257 located on an applicant’s premises, the breeding and housing
258 facilities of such animals, and any records of health or sale
259 maintained by the applicant.
260 (a) The department may contract with and designate local
261 law enforcement or animal services, when local staff and
262 resources are available, or any other public or private entity
263 that the department determines regularly conducts animal welfare
264 investigations, to perform inspections or related investigative
265 activities. Private service providers may include Florida
266 licensed veterinarians currently in good standing who have been
267 licensed for at least 10 years.
268 (b) If a local government or enforcement authority
269 determines that it lacks the staff or resources to perform the
270 inspections, such inspections may be conducted by a private
271 provider under contract with the department, provided that the
272 breeder bears the cost of inspection.
273 (c) If sufficient resources are not available, the
274 applicant must wait until such resources are available or
275 contract with a private provider designated and approved by the
276 department in order to obtain certification.
277 (3) If the applicant passes the inspection, the department
278 must provide the applicant with a DAWG Breeder Program
279 Certificate.
280 (4) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may
281 suspend or revoke the DAWG Breeder Program certification of any
282 dog breeder at any time if the department discovers that such
283 breeder has failed to maintain best management practices
284 pursuant to s. 828.291.
285 (5) A dog breeder that is certified by the program may
286 identify such certification in its professional practice,
287 including in marketing and advertising materials.
288 (6) Program certification is not required for a dog breeder
289 to engage in dog breeding in this state.
290 (7) The department shall adopt rules to implement this
291 section.
292 Section 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
293
294 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
295 And the title is amended as follows:
296 Delete everything before the enacting clause
297 and insert:
298 A bill to be entitled
299 An act relating to domestic animals; amending s.
300 828.12, F.S.; requiring the Department of Law
301 Enforcement to post on its website specified
302 information relating to each individual convicted of
303 specified animal cruelty offenses; requiring the clerk
304 of each court and county detention facility to provide
305 the Department of Law Enforcement with such
306 information; amending s. 828.29, F.S.; extending the
307 timeframe for which a consumer may pursue remedies for
308 the sale of an animal certifiably unfit for purchase;
309 revising such remedies; requiring that all financing
310 terms be disclosed to the consumer by the pet dealer
311 before the sale of the animal; requiring a specified
312 mandatory waiting period between the purchase and
313 receipt of an animal if the transaction is financed by
314 the consumer; prohibiting a consumer from signing a
315 financing agreement until the conclusion of the
316 specified waiting period; deleting certain provisions
317 relating to a consumer’s waiver relinquishing his or
318 her rights to return an animal; requiring a pet dealer
319 to provide copies of specified medical records to a
320 consumer; denying a consumer the right to a refund or
321 an exchange for a pet sale under certain
322 circumstances; extending the timeframe within which a
323 consumer must notify the pet dealer of a
324 veterinarian’s determination that the animal is unfit;
325 authorizing the consumer to initiate an action in
326 certain courts for any contestation of veterinary
327 expenses or demands of the pet dealer for a refund or
328 exchange; providing for the award of punitive damages;
329 revising requirements for a required notice to a
330 consumer; revising the text of the required notice;
331 revising the definition of the term “pet dealer”;
332 requiring a pet dealer to retain a copy of a specified
333 notice for a specified period; providing that
334 violations constitute an unfair method of competition
335 or an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation
336 of specified provisions and subject to penalties;
337 creating s. 828.291, F.S.; providing a legislative
338 purpose; providing construction; requiring the
339 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to
340 develop a list of best management practices for
341 adoption and implementation; providing requirements
342 for such best management practices; requiring the
343 department to post guidance on its website related to
344 the selection of breeders and the purchase of an
345 animal; requiring the department to post information
346 on its website relating to animal cruelty; providing
347 requirements for such information; creating s.
348 828.2911, F.S.; requiring the Department of
349 Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish the Dog
350 Awareness and Welfare Guidelines (DAWG) Breeder
351 Program; providing the purpose of the program;
352 requiring the department to certify certain
353 individuals and entities; providing requirements for
354 such certification; requiring participants in the DAWG
355 Breeder Program to submit to inspection by the
356 department and pay the costs for such inspection;
357 authorizing the department to inspect an applicant’s
358 dog breeding program; authorizing the department to
359 contract with specified entities to perform such
360 inspections or related investigative activities;
361 authorizing a department private provider to perform
362 such inspections under certain circumstances;
363 requiring the department to certify an applicant that
364 passes the inspection; authorizing the department to
365 suspend or revoke such certification under certain
366 circumstances; authorizing a dog breeder to advertise
367 and market such certification; specifying that a dog
368 breeder may engage in dog breeding without a
369 certification; requiring the department to adopt
370 rules; providing an effective date.