PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Floridians purchasing pets will have stronger legal protections under a new state law that takes effect July 1, that requires pet dealers to provide detailed medical records and face greater accountability if they sell sick animals.

SB 1004 is one of more than 100 new laws taking effect across Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the legislation is designed to protect consumers while strengthening animal welfare protections statewide.

Under the law, pet dealers must provide veterinary records documenting an animal’s examinations, medications, diagnoses and treatments before a sale is completed. Dealers must also disclose the terms of any financing agreement before the purchase is finalized and provide buyers with written notice outlining their legal rights if an animal is later found to be sick or unfit for purchase.

In addition, anyone who buys a new pet, may be eligible to return or exchange the animal, terminate financing agreements without penalty and seek reimbursement for veterinary expenses. Violations can be prosecuted under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Animal welfare advocate Debbie Darino, who helped champion Dexter’s Law, said the changes give buyers more leverage when they unknowingly purchase an unhealthy pet.

“Before they weren’t doing that. They just had to go to a vet to try and figure out what was wrong with their pet. Now this gives them more leverage to get some satisfaction when there’s a problem with the animal to begin with,” Darino said.

The legislation also expands Dexter’s Law, which took effect earlier this year after the killing of Dexter, a dog found dead in Pinellas County.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement currently maintains a public database of convicted animal abusers, but new law requires the database to include additional identifying information, which will make it easier to accurately identify offenders.

It also increases the maximum civil penalties local governments can impose for animal cruelty ordinance violations and creates tougher penalties for repeat offenders.

While SB 1004 takes effect July 1, the improvements to Dexter’s Law will officially take effect January 1, 2027.