Florida Statute §823.15 sets minimum care and sourcing rules for pet stores and, after a 2023 amendment, preempts local bans on retail dog and cat sales. Miami's earlier puppy-mill ordinance was nullified, leaving only state-level humane sourcing requirements for stores.
Section 823.15 requires pet dealers to source dogs and cats from USDA-licensed breeders without recent direct violations, provide veterinary records, post breeder information at point of sale, and offer health guarantees with refunds. The 2023 legislative amendment expressly preempted any local ordinance that restricts the source or sale of dogs and cats by retail pet stores, voiding earlier Miami-area ordinances modeled after the city of North Miami Beach. Miami-Dade Animal Services still inspects pet shops for kennel-license and humane-care compliance, and the state Department of Agriculture investigates consumer complaints about sick animals.
Pet dealers selling without proper sourcing, veterinary documentation, or required breeder disclosure face civil fines and license suspension under §823.15; consumers may seek refund, replacement, or veterinary cost reimbursement up to the purchase price.
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See how Miami's pet store rules rules stack up against other locations.
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