TALLAHASSEE – On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis urged state lawmakers to pass new legislation to crack down on unethical dog breeders and puppy mills. He is proposing licensing requirements and tougher penalties for animal abusers across the state.
The Florida Gov. held a press conference at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee, outlining a package of reforms for the 2026 legislative session. It includes a mandate for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to license all dog breeders and enforce accountability for their operations.
The plan focuses on stopping abusive conditions such as:
- Cramming dogs into cramped cages with limited water access
- Overbreeding females
- Skimping on vet care
- Subjecting animals to brutal weather extremes
The proposals would also compel pet stores to:
- Dedicate floor space to local shelter adoptions ahead of stocking from big commercial breeders or puppy mills.
- Launch a dedicated hotline to field tips on unethical operators.
- Force veterinarians to issue buyers straightforward, accurate health certifications to prevent passing off sickly pups as fit.
“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,” DeSantis said during the announcement, calling the effort “a long-time coming.”
