FL S0488

Increases the maximum surcharge that counties or municipalities may impose on civil penalties for animal control or cruelty ordinance violations from $5 to $15 per violation.

Allocates surcharge proceeds as follows: $1 retained by the clerk of the court, up to $5 directed to training costs for animal control officers, and remainder used to subsidize spaying or neutering of dogs and cats.

Prohibits owners from being charged more than the cost of sterilization minus the subsidy amount provided from surcharge funds.

Allows animal control authorities to redirect excess surcharge funds collected for officer training toward spaying and neutering programs if training costs are fully funded.

Does not require counties or municipalities to enact animal control or cruelty ordinances; takes effect July 1, 2012.