Florida State Laws Potentially Applicable to 
Free-Roaming, Domestic Cats

372.265 F.S. Regulation of foreign animals:

(1) It is unlawful to import for sale or use, or to release within this state, any species of the animal kingdom not indigenous to Florida without having obtained a permit to do so from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

(2) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is authorized to issue or deny such a permit upon the completion of studies of the species made by it to determine any detrimental effect the species might have on the ecology of the state.

(3) Persons in violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

828.12 F.S. Cruelty to animals:

(1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

(2) A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

(3) A veterinarian licensed to practice in the state shall be held harmless from either criminal or civil liability for any decisions made or services rendered under the provisions of this section. Such a veterinarian is, therefore, under this subsection, immune from a lawsuit for his or her part in an investigation of cruelty to animals.

828.13 Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals:

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Abandon" means to forsake an animal entirely or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the legal obligations for care and support of an animal by its owner.

(b) "Owner" includes any owner, custodian, or other person in charge of an animal.

(2) Whoever:

(a) Impounds or confines any animal in any place and fails to supply the animal during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water,

(b) Keeps any animals in any enclosure without wholesome exercise and change of air, or

(c) Abandons to die any animal that is maimed, sick, infirm, or diseased, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine.

(3) Any person who is the owner or possessor, or has charge or custody, of any animal who abandons such animal to suffer injury or malnutrition or abandons any animal in a street, road, or public place without providing for the care, sustenance, protection, and shelter of such animal is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine.

68A-4.005 F.A.C. Introduction of Foreign Wildlife or Freshwater Fish or Carriers of Disease:

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, transport or otherwise bring into the state or to release or introduce in the state any wildlife or freshwater fish that is not native to the state unless such person shall first secure a permit from the commission. Such permit shall be granted only after duly authorized agents have made such investigation and inspection of the wildlife or freshwater fish as may be deemed necessary, provided that this rule shall not apply to ring-necked or Mongolian pheasants or coturnix quail.

(2) Nothing in this rule shall prohibit the commission or its duly authorized agents from bringing into the state or releasing or introducing any wildlife or freshwater fish.

(3) No person shall release or introduce in the state any wildlife or freshwater fish or any other organism that might reasonably be expected to transmit any disease to wildlife or freshwater fish