FL H1305

Commercial breeders and dealers of dogs and cats must register with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and comply with federal animal welfare standards under 9 C.F.R. part 3.

A commercial breeder is defined as selling 16 or more animals during any 12-month period; a dealer buys, sells, or transfers animals at wholesale for resale, excluding retail pet stores.

Registration applications must include all facility locations and allow department inspections; registrations are valid for 2 years and subject to annual reinspections.

Operating without registration becomes a felony of the third degree effective January 1, 2015; violations can result in fines up to $5,000, cease and desist orders, or registration revocation.

The bill does not apply to small breeders selling 15 or fewer animals per year directly to consumers, federal exhibitors, greyhound kennels, humane societies, or animal shelters; retail pet stores must annually report their commercial suppliers.