Strengthen Dog Breeding Protections in Florida (Building on CS/SB 1356 & SB 1004)

We, the undersigned Florida residents and supporters of responsible dog ownership, urge Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and relevant agencies to adopt stronger protections for high-drive working breeds such as the Belgian Malinois.

Update – August 2026:

The 2026 legislative session has closed. SB 1004 created a voluntary best-management-practices program for dog breeders. While this is a step forward, it does not include the stronger accountability or mandatory buyer education many of us believe is still needed. We continue this petition to push for those stronger protections — both by strengthening the new voluntary standards and by building support for meaningful requirements in the 2027 session and beyond.

Too many of these dogs end up surrendered because buyers are unprepared and “hobby” breeders operate with insufficient oversight.

We request the following commonsense improvements:

Lower the breeder threshold: Require registration and oversight for anyone producing or selling more than one litter per calendar year (with a narrow exemption for verified accidental/one-time litters).

Mandatory buyer education for working breeds: Require a short state-approved online video training module (15–25 minutes), quiz, and signed informed-consent form before any sale or transfer of Belgian Malinois or other high-drive working breeds. The module must include:

Minimum 1.5 hours vigorous physical exercise + 1 hour structured mental stimulation daily, with real demonstrations (hide-and-seek, scent work with scattered treats, puzzle toys, giving the dog a “job”).

Crating rules: no crating the first 2 weeks; max 3 hours at a time or 6 hours total per day.

The affection myth: High physical affection (hugging, picking up, spooning, constant petting) often fulfills the human’s emotional needs, not the dog’s. For working breeds, true affection is structure, training, work, and mental stimulation.

Invite breed clubs (e.g., American Belgian Malinois Rescue) and expert trainers (Cesar Millan, Tom Davis) to volunteer creating these authentic videos using real Malinois.

Florida can lead the nation — with this model expandable to other states and federal level.

These changes will reduce surrenders and protect the dogs while supporting responsible breeders and owners.

Signature goal: 10,000+