FAAWO supports legislation that would expand telehealth access to veterinary care. Whether in-office care is financially out of reach, transporting a beloved pet provides an insurmountable challenge, or there are simply no veterinarians within easy driving distance, the proposed PETS Act, Medical Treatment of Animals, HB 1117(Buchanan)/SB 1600 (Ingoglia) would increase access to veterinary care for people across the state of Florida.
Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash
Individual municipalities within the state of Florida have taken steps to stopping the sale of puppies in the pet stores in their jurisdiction. Now a bills have been filed in both the state house and senate that would effectively end the practice statewide. The ASPCA, who is in support of the legislation, shares additional information below.
Despite the need for veterinary telemedicine in Florida, there has also been legislation filed that, if enacted, would prevent the necessary expansion in access to care. The bill –Medical Treatment of Animals, SB 554(Gruters)/No HB– would prevent the vital helpline of remote veterinary care for the one-third of animals in Florida that do not regularly see a veterinarian.
The below summary of the proposed legislation was shared by the ASPCA.
Spay/Neuter surgeries are critical to reducing the population of homeless dogs and cats in Florida and preventing the euthanasia of adoptable pets. Unfortunately, an ongoing critical shortage of veterinarians in the workforce means that there are not enough veterinarians to meet the demand for dog and cat spay/neuter surgeries. Unplanned litters of dogs and cats put pressure on local animal shelters and government resources.
From our colleagues at the Florida Animal Control Association (FACA):
FACA is working to support HB 157 by Representative Jeff Holcomb and SB 518 by Senator Nick DiCeglie. These bills would protect the contact information of citizens who adopt animals from city and county animal shelters. Today, Florida law requires the release of this information to anyone who asks for it.
Courtesy of the ASPCA Media Team
Under normal circumstances, adults, children, and pets living in an abusive home can face major obstacles to escape harm’s way. In this time of quarantine, the necessity of staying at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has made domestic abuse situations substantially more dangerous for both people and pets. As our nation responds to this pandemic, reports of increasing rates of domestic violence have surfaced in many areas, including Florida.
2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
FL 2020 ANIMAL WELFARE BILLS - NEED-TO-KNOW END OF SESSION UPDATES
H.B. 1237/S.B. 1698 contains harmful language that would invalidate existing local laws and strip all Florida cities and towns of their authority to enact similar laws, leaving more dogs to suffer in squalid conditions.
Posted by Kate MacFall, HSUS Florida Director and FAAWO Advisory Board Member:
"[It was a] great day on Florida’s Capitol Hill ... learning about and raising awareness on issues pertaining to animals. What was so striking this year is that there are over a dozen animal welfare bills being considered. My take away from this is that whatever we can envision for the world is absolutely achievable with kind, compassionate awareness raising. [I am] very grateful to the organizers of this event and to all those who were able to take time away from their busy lives to be here."
Florida law enforcement officers are lending their support for legislation to include pets in domestic violence temporary restraining orders (SB 1082/HB241). In a video posted on the ASPCA's Facebook page, Florida law enforcement officers and State Representative Sam Killebrew urge Floridians to join them in supporting the bill.
The legislation has already passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and the Senate Agriculture Committee. It still must be reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judiciary and Rules committees.
The 2019 Florida Legislature adjourned on May 3. During session, lawmakers introduced bills to allow veterinarians to report animal cruelty when they witness evidence of cruelty in private practice; prohibit predatory, deceptive pet leasing schemes at puppy-selling pet stores; ensure pets can be included in domestic violence temporary restraining orders; require continuing education for shelter euthanasia technicians; prohibit shelters from euthanizing animals if a non-profit rescue group has agreed to take in the animal, with narrow exceptions; prohibit dog tethering abandonment during disasters; and more.
Here are a few highlights of issues that gained traction in 2019:
