On Monday, State Senator Annette Taddeo (D-Miami) re-filed her Pet Leasing Ban Bill, SB 186, to protect families and their pets by prohibiting the deceptive and predatory pet financing practices that have been harming Floridians. Senator Taddeo filed this bill in response to learning that pet owners were having their pets removed from their families and their homes based on technical legal provisions that were in contracts that families unknowingly signed when purchasing their pets.
“This deceptive and predatory practice is heart-wrenching, it not only affects costumers it has harmful effects on our pets. To many of us, our pets are part of our family. Once they are home with us, I can’t fathom being forced to choose between making a monthly lease payment or having the pet repossessed,” said Senator Taddeo.
Legislation SB 186 declares that certain types of contracts for leasing and the use of pets as collateral for possible repossession will be void and unenforceable, and provides fines for violators.