• Who must comply with the law?
• What certificates must accompany dogs and cats offered for sale in Florida by pet dealers?
• May one certificates be issued for multiple animals (litters)?
• What phone number is best to call to ask technical questions about the veterinary and health aspects of the law?
• Who has the authority to issue the certificates for pet dealers?
• Do dogs and cats shipped into Florida for sale purposes have to be in compliance with this law?
• What certificates must accompany the above dogs and cats when they enter Florida for sale purposes?
• Must the above interstate certificates show proof of the required vaccinations, dewormers, and diagnostics tests?
• When must the required vaccinations, dewormers and tests be administered to dogs and cats shipped to Florida for salesale?
• If someone who lives in another state purchases a dog or cat in Florida, can he/she use the certificate (received at the time of purchase) to qualify the animal for the interstate movement back to the home state?
• Is there a minimum age for cats/dogs offered for sale in Florida?
• Can a dog or cat be offered for sale in Florida and be accompanied by the out of state certificate showing proof of the required vaccinations, dewormers and tests?
• Who can administer the required vaccines, dewormers and diagnostic tests?
• Are the vaccination and deworming requirements different for dogs and cats over or under four months of age?
• At what age is Rabies Vaccine required?
• What tests and at what age are they required for both dogs and cats?
• If fecal tests conducted are negative, does the law require the administration of broad spectrum anthelmintics to both dogs and cats for roundworms and hookworms?
• What vaccinations are required?
• When must the issuing veterinarian´s examination take place?
• Must dogs and cats be free of any evidence of coccidiosis and ear mites to be offered for sale?
• Must dogs and cats be free of all evidence of fleas and ticks to be offered for sale?
• Can the issuing veterinarian withhold a specific vaccination or anthelmintic and still sign (issue) the certificate?
• Under this law, would a person be considered a pet dealer if he/she sold (to the public) two litters of dogs or cats a year, but less than 20 animals total for both litters combined?
• Would a dog or cat breeder be required to comply with this law if he/she only sold animals to pet dealers (pet stores) and not directly to the public (i.e., consumers)?

Who must comply with the law? (Back to Top)
Pet dealers and pet breeders who sell dogs & cats directly to the public. (This means any person, firm or corporation or other association that engages in the sale to the public of more than two litters or 20 dogs or cats per year, whichever is greater).

What certificates must accompany dogs and cats offered for sale in Florida by pet dealers? (Back to Top)
Only Official Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for Small Animals.

May one certificates be issued for multiple animals (litters)? (Back to Top)
No.

What phone number is best to call to ask technical questions about the veterinary and health aspects of the law? (Back to Top)
(904)488-7079

Who has the authority to issue the certificates for pet dealers? (Back to Top)
Only Florida licensed and accredited veterinarians

Do dogs and cats shipped into Florida for sale purposes have to be in compliance with this law? (Back to Top)
Yes.

What certificates must accompany the above dogs and cats when they enter Florida for sale purposes? (Back to Top)
Official certificates of veterinary inspection from the state of origin, issued by a licensed, accredited veterinarian in that state.

Must the above interstate certificates show proof of the required vaccinations, dewormers, and diagnostics tests? (Back to Top)
Yes

When must the required vaccinations, dewormers and tests be administered to dogs and cats shipped to Florida for salesale? (Back to Top)
Not less than 14 days, and not more than 30 days before entry into Florida.

If someone who lives in another state purchases a dog or cat in Florida, can he/she use the certificate (received at the time of purchase) to qualify the animal for the interstate movement back to the home state? (Back to Top)
Yes. In this instance, the certificate will simply be marked interstate and sale-dog or cat, and listing the buyer´s homhome address.

Is there a minimum age for cats/dogs offered for sale in Florida? (Back to Top)
Yes, 8 weeks.

Can a dog or cat be offered for sale in Florida and be accompanied by the out of state certificate showing proof of the required vaccinations, dewormers and tests? (Back to Top)
No. The certificates must be the ones provided by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and must be iss issued by Florida licensed and accredited veterinarians.

Who can administer the required vaccines, dewormers and diagnostic tests? (Back to Top)
They can only be administered by or under the direction of the veterinarian (licensed & accredited in Florida) who issues the official certificate of veterinary inspection.

Are the vaccination and deworming requirements different for dogs and cats over or under four months of age? (Back to Top)
Yes, over 4 Months must be administered after 3 months of age, but within 1 year of the date of sale. Under 4 Months must be administered within 21 days of sale.

At what age is Rabies Vaccine required? (Back to Top)
3 months of age for both dogs and cats.

What tests and at what age are they required for both dogs and cats? (Back to Top)
Canines - heartworm tests for all dogs six months and older.
Felines - leukemia tests for all cats sold regardless of age.

If fecal tests conducted are negative, does the law require the administration of broad spectrum anthelmintics to both dogs and cats for roundworms and hookworms? (Back to Top)
Yes

What vaccinations are required? (Back to Top)
The ones listed on the official certificate of veterinary inspection.

When must the issuing veterinarian´s examination take place? (Back to Top)
Not more than 21 days prior to the sale of the dog or cat.

Must dogs and cats be free of any evidence of coccidiosis and ear mites to be offered for sale? (Back to Top)
Yes.

Must dogs and cats be free of all evidence of fleas and ticks to be offered for sale? (Back to Top)
No.

Can the issuing veterinarian withhold a specific vaccination or anthelmintic and still sign (issue) the certificate? (Back to Top)
Yes, but to do so, he/she must make the statement on the certificate that the vaccine or anthelmintic is not in the best medical interest of this animal

Under this law, would a person be considered a "pet dealer" if he/she sold (to the public) two litters of dogs or cats a year, but less than 20 animals total for both litters combined? (Back to Top)
No.

Would a dog or cat breeder be required to comply with this law if he/she only sold animals to pet dealers (pet stores) and not directly to the public (i.e., consumers)? (Back to Top)
No.