Shelters are facing a crisis. Intakes are up and adoptions are down. Legislation has been filed that experts believe will help keep families together by providing a lower cost option for veterinary care for those that cannot afford traditional care. With prices for staples skyrocketing across the state, the need for this type of legislation has never been greater. Bills have been filed in both the Florida House (HB 1117/Buchanan) and Senate (SB 1600/Ingoglia). FAAWO is working alongside a broad coalition of other organizations to pass this legislation and provide a path for all animals in the state to access the veterinary care they need. 

Despite the need for veterinary telemedicine in Florida, there has also been legislation filed that, if enacted, would prevent the necessary expansion in access to care. The bill –Medical Treatment of Animals, SB 554(Gruters)/No HB– would prevent the vital helpline of remote veterinary care for the one-third of animals in Florida that do not regularly see a veterinarian.