Top dog registry opposes Florida legislation to establish dog breeding standards, rules

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State Rep. Meg Weinberger, R-Palm Beach Gardens, noted that when crafting SB 1830 and HB 1481 she and her colleagues specifically used guidelines posted on the American Kennel Club’s website.

• Florida dog breeder legislation aims to establish regulatory standards for breeding and selling dogs.
• The AKC opposes the legislation, citing concerns about overreach and exclusion of breeder expertise.
• Bill sponsors argue the legislation protects animal welfare and consumers while allowing stakeholder input.
• Big Dog Ranch Rescue supports the legislation, highlighting the need for minimum standards of care for breeding dogs.

The sponsor of legislation to establish regulatory standards for Florida dog breeders on Tuesday, April 8, rejected “misleading” criticism the measure is an “extreme anti-breeder” bill.

“The legislation specifically targets individuals who breed dogs for sale or exchange and does not impactresponsible breeders who already adhere to high standards,” state Rep. Meg Weinberger, R-Palm Beach Gardens, wrote in an open letter. “These bills are designed to introduce accountability and transparency into the state’s dog breeding practices, establishing minimum standards that ensure dogs are raised in humane, healthy environments and sold by responsible breeders.”

Weinberger noted that when crafting SB 1830 and HB 1481 she and her colleagues specifically used guidelines posted on the American Kennel Club’s website. The bills are collectively referred to as the Make America’s Dogs Safe Again, or MADSA, legislation.

Lawmakers, AKC spar over Florida breeder legislation

The AKC, however, opposes the legislation calling it “overreaching” and “extreme.”

Among the AKC’s objections are that the organization believes the legislation would apply to “private homes” and would mean “development of standards of care for dog breeding” would be carried out “in consultation only with local government entities and dog rescue organizations” while excluding dog breeders “with expertise and knowledge about dog breeding.”

The AKC also objects to limits on the number of times a female dog may bear puppies each year. “AKC opposes limit laws, and believes the decision to breed dogs should be made by an owner in consultation with their dog’s veterinarian,” the AKC said.

Weinberger and the bill’s sponsors refute the AKC’s arguments. They insist dog breeders and other stakeholders would be allowed to provide input but “public safety and animal welfare require broad collaboration beyond industry interests.”

“In reality, the bills promote a balanced approach requiring registration, inspections, and clear care protocols — basic safeguards that protect both animals and consumers alike,” Weinberger wrote in her letter.

Legislation has support of Big Dog Ranch Rescue

One local supporter of the legislation is Lauree Simmons, founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue. She said in an interview last month the measure would require dog breeders to meet “standards” like all other businesses across Florida, from restaurants to beauty salons and real estate agents.

“That is not in effect for people breeding and selling animals, especially dogs and puppies,” she said of the MADSA bill.

Simmons said she was delighted that Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, wore a cap promoting the dog breeding legislation when he and President Donald Trump made a appearance at Big Dog Ranch’s “Wine, Women & Shoes” fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago on March 1. The two-day event at the Palm Beach club drew 1,400 attendees and a record-breaking $4.3 million in donations.

Simmons said the legislation is aimed at “bad actors” who mistreat breeding dogs and their puppies by failing to provide them with adequate veterinary care, while keeping them in cramped cages in the dark or outdoors in the elements. The law also would protect consumers from buying pets who are ill, she said.

“All we want is minimum standards that protect the breeding dogs and puppies from inhumane conditions and inhumane treatment,” Simmons said. “It’s important to protect the pups over profits and not profits over pups.”

Will dog breeder legislation pass the Florida Legislature?

Right now, the legislation is working its way through the Legislature’s committee system.

The House version bill was filed and referred to the Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee and the Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee. The bill needs to be read by the subcommittees. If approved by the committee chairs and members, the House speaker and Rules Committee then decide if it can be heard on the floor for a vote of the full Florida House of Representatives.

If it passes the Legislature, then Gov. Ron DeSantis would have to sign the bill into law.

Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

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