The much-awaited Providing Equity in Telehealth Services (PETS) Act has been signed into law by Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis. It will come into effect from 1 July 2024.
The PETS Act allows veterinarians in the state to leverage telemedicine technology to boost access to veterinary care and tackle the state’s veterinary workforce shortage.
Senator Jennifer Bradley, one of the sponsors of the bill, says that the new legislation will provide greater flexibility and benefit pet owners “who face difficulties accessing veterinary care.” This includes senior citizens, working families, disabled individuals, and those living in rural areas.
Florida joins 6 other US states that have already regulated veterinary telemedicine: Arizona, Idaho, New Jersey, California, Vermont and Virginia.
Industry support
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has commended the Governor for signing the “critical bill into law.”
“Empowering veterinarians to use telehealth can reduce animal suffering, keep more pets in their homes, and extend the capacity of animal shelters to serve their communities,” says Jennifer Hobgood, ASPCA Senior Director of State Legislation for the Southern Division.
The latest articles
Traveling with pets on public transport: the current state of play
Some countries have recently changed the rules around allowing small animals to be transported on their public transport networks.
Share buyback and repurchases at Pets at Home and Chewy
The British pet retailer launched a share buyback program, while their US counterpart repurchased shares from its largest shareholder.
Japanese pet owners rely on friends’ and family’s opinions when choosing a pet
According to a new survey, these opinions are more important than advice from specialized pet stores or vets.
Weekly newsletter to stay up-to-date
Discover what’s happening in the pet industry. Get the must-read stories and insights in your inbox.