Florida
Updates about legal issues facing animals in the state
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals.
Animal Protection Laws Ranking
Each year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes its U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. Each state is ranked based on 20 different categories of animal protection.
Florida
Overall Rank: #7 (Top Tier)
Animal Protection Laws of Florida
The Animal Protection Laws of Florida compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for Florida with an effective date on or before September 1, 2023.
Legislative Session
Active Legislation
Oppose: An Act Relating to Taking of Bears (Florida)
H.B. 87
This bill would allow Florida residents to shoot black bears if they feel threatened or they feel their property is threatened by the bear.
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (Florida)
S.B. 272/ H.B. 297
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.
Active Cases
Challenging a Florida Kitten Breeder’s Cruelty and Fraud
Rozetti v. Adorable Stars
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against Orlando-based kitten breeder and seller, Adorable Stars, for practicing veterinary medicine without a license, animal cruelty and neglect, and contract and tort claims.
Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.
Florida: Help protect black bears today!
Take action to protect Florida bears from a dangerous bill! If enacted, An Act Relating to Taking of Bears (H.B. 87) would allow for the unregulated shooting of black bears in urban and suburban areas by permitting Florida residents to shoot black bears if they claim to feel threatened or feel their property is being threatened by the bear.
Florida: Make one quick call for the animals!
Elected officials want to hear from you. This is an easy way to look up their contact information.
Stop Ag-Gag Laws
Undercover investigations and whistleblowers have exposed some of the worst aspects of factory farming, but Ag-Gag laws punish people who speak out about cruelty in animal agriculture. Voice your opposition.
No More Puppy Mills
Puppy mill operators maximize their profits by producing large numbers of puppies as quickly as possible. As a result, unsanitary conditions, disease, and neglect are rampant. Sign our pledge to boycott puppy mills. Together we can end cruel puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban
In this free webinar, we walk you through the basics of how to pass a retail pet sale bans in your community — a powerful way to fight back against puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows
This webinar will focus on passing a local prohibition on animals used in circuses and other traveling shows.
Recent Victories
Strengthening Protections Against the Sexual Abuse of Animals (Florida)
S.B. 1798
Florida lawmakers have passed a bill strengthening penalties for the sexual abuse of animals as well as imposing a possession ban on those convicted, limiting their future interactions with animals.
Provide Funding for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs’ Veterinary Care (Florida)
Florida’s Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs Program Act would provide funding for retired law enforcement dogs’ vet care
The Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs Program Act would create a program to provide funding for the veterinary care of dogs formerly used in law enforcement. (H.B. 25/S.B. 226)
Oppose: Pet Protection Act (Florida)
Would preempt new local retail sales bans for cats and dogs and would also prohibit municipalities from enacting any further safeguards against puppy and kitten mills. (SB 994/HB 849)
Cross-Reporting Suspected Abuse (Florida)
Requires cross-reporting of suspected abuse by child protective investigators and animal control officers (SB 96)
SB 96, sponsored by Senator Lauren Book (D-32), would require child protective investigators and animal control officers to report suspected animal and child abuse. Additionally, the bill strengthens penalties for the sexual abuse of animals.
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2023 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws