Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling on the Florida Legislature to provide stronger protections for dogs and other pets by cracking down on puppy mills and irresponsible breeders during a press conference at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Grove this week.
"Many breeders take care of their animals and treat them with dignity and respect, no doubt," DeSantis said. There are some bad actors who keep these animals in inhumane conditions, and we want to put an end to that type of practice in the state of Florida."
Puppy mills are large-scale commercial breeding facilities that, by many, prioritize the general health and welfare of a dog for profit. The centers are often associated with quick breeding and poor conditions.
To put the practice away, Gov. DeSantis also inclined the Legislature to work with Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who was present at the announcement, "to develop best practices so that we have ethical dog breeding in the state of Florida."
In addition, Gov. DeSantis requested the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation license dog breeders and potentially hold them accountable for inhumane practices, including putting dogs in multiple cages, limiting their access to water during breeding, or leaving them out in extreme heat or other unfavorable conditions.
He also vowed to establish a hotline for Floridians to report animal abuse by breeders, as well as require pet stores to offer space to local shelters for adoption before they use space to sell dogs from the puppy mills.
Moreover, DeSantis pledged to protect dog buyers from potential predatory practices when purchasing a dog, including adding transparency to avoid nefarious financial agreements. He also promised to give families better information about their dog or pet by requiring veterinarians to give an accurate bill of health to ensure accountability.
DeSantis also asked the Legislature to increase penalties for individuals who abuse animals in front of children.
"I think it'd be good for Florida. I think it'll be good for everybody, but it'll be particularly good for man's best friend," DeSantis said.
Under the governor's leadership, Florida has passed several laws to protect pets, including tracking animal abusers. One of the bills came after a Tampa man tied his pit bull terrier to a fence post before Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
Florida's Legislative session begins on Jan. 13.
