Puppy Laws in Florida

The Sunshine State recognizes pet store owners aren't always truthful about where their puppies come from. An educated public is difficult to mislead, and thanks to celebrities like Oprah, Ben Stein and Charlize Theron, who have been speaking out against puppy mills for years, the public has become far more educated. Though Florida law categorizes pets as chattel, they are living beings that pull on the heartstrings of new owners. Once a puppy is purchased, it doesn't take long to fall hopelessly in love with the little critter. So the law steps in to be sure the purchaser is not cheated.

  1. Sell No Puppy Before It's Time

    • Puppies sold in pet stores could be sick or genetically unsound.

      Florida Statute 828.29 states that no person can sell a puppy younger than eight weeks. Furthermore, nobody can bring a dog into the state intended for sale that is younger than eight weeks. Violation of this statute is a first-degree misdemeanor.

      In order to be healthy and well adjusted, puppies need a full eight weeks with their mothers. This is because the mother's milk is full of nutrition and immunization agents. Puppies who nurse for the full eight weeks of life are healthier and better able to fight off infection. These puppies are also learning about their own bodies, especially their teeth. When a puppy bites its mother, the mother dog reacts swiftly and deliberately, and the puppy learns not to bite. This makes it a better candidate to become a family pet.

    No Misrepresentation

    • The Florida Puppy Lemon Law provides protection for consumers. It states that pet dealers must provide the first set of vaccinations and a veterinary examination prior to sale. According to Consumer Affairs, a pet dealer is defined as "anyone who sells more than two litters or 20 dogs per year, whichever is greater." Pet dealers, including hobby breeders who fit the definition, are expressly prohibited from misrepresenting the breed, gender or state of health for any dog (or cat) offered for sale. Anyone who is found to have lied to a consumer to coerce him into purchasing a dog could be charged with a misdemeanor, and face civil penalties as well, if the buyer elects to take the dealer to small claims court.

    Illness

    • The Florida Law also covers the health of the puppy. If a consumer brings a puppy home and finds the puppy to be sick, he must get a veterinarian to examine the puppy and then notify the pet store of the problem within 48 hours of purchase. Consumers are entitled to a full refund, or a replacement puppy. The dealer must also pay the veterinary bill.

    Genetic Issues

    • Though the law only gives consumers two days to alert the pet store to a potential illness in a new puppy, it grants a full year for the new owner to learn about genetic or hereditary problems. For example, if the puppy has a medical problem that has been with it since birth but has not manifested itself until up to a year later, the consumer is entitled to relief. Also, if the puppy has a hereditary disease like hip dysplasia that would not show up until the puppy attains a certain weight, the owner is entitled to a refund or replacement plus the veterinary expenses.

    County Regulations

    • Certain counties in the State of Florida, as well as a number of municipalities, require that all dogs and cats offered for sale or adoption be spayed or neutered within a specified number of days after the sale or adoption. Exemptions would include professional breeders who have become licensed by the county, and people who get a note from their veterinarian stating that the animal is unfit for surgery. This is to alleviate the pet overpopulation problem taking place all over the state.