The Orange County, Florida, Board of County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on June 22, 2021, regarding a proposed ordinance to ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores.
Even if you would not personally source a pet to a pet store, it is critical that your lawmakers understand that pet choice should not be limited. The proposed ordinance would restrict pet shops to only offering pets sourced from shelters and animal rescue organizations, which are not subject to Florida’s “puppy lemon law” or other state laws that protect pets during transport, mandate pet health protections, or require standards in pet sales.
Under Florida state law, county-operated or city-operated animal control agencies and humane organizations are specifically exempted from state requirements for dogs and cats offered for sale, inoculation and other pet health requirements, transport requirements, and consumer protection laws that apply to other pet sellers (F.S. Title XLVI, Chapter 828, Section 29 (15)).
Concerned Orange County residents who support consumer choice; who believe the health of all dogs offered for sale/adoption in pet stores should be protected; who believe all dogs relocated to the state for sale/adoption should be safely transported; or who support consumer protection laws for new pet owners are urged to contact their commissioners to express opposition to the proposed pet store ordinance.
View the proposed ordinance, related documents, and information on participating in the public hearing in person or virtually at: https://occompt.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Public Hearing Information
Date: June 22, 2021 at 2 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible
Location: County Commission Chambers, First Floor, County Administration Center, 201 South Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, Florida.
County Commissioner Information
Identify your county commissioner, contact information, and learn how to appear before the commission or submit comments at: https://www.orangecountyfl.net/BoardofCommissioners.aspx#.YNCmWWhKhPY
For additional information, please visit www.akcgr.org/petchoice or contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org or 919-816-3720.