Florida Pet Owner Guide • HB849 / PETS Act • 2026 update
The Florida PETS Act,
in Plain English
What HB849 actually changed for Florida pet owners — when you can see a vet by video, when a Florida vet can prescribe online, and what to watch out for. Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM.
TL;DR
The 30-second version
- Florida HB849 (PETS Act) is the 2024 state law that legally authorized full veterinary telehealth in Florida — including online prescribing by licensed Florida vets.
- You and your pet need to be physically in Florida at the time of the visit. The vet you see needs to be licensed in Florida.
- Most non-emergency conditions can be handled by video. True emergencies still need an in-person ER.
- Prices for video visits are typically half the cost of an in-person Florida vet visit. RexVet (a 501(c)(3) non-profit) charges $64.99 per visit.
What is the PETS Act?
Florida House Bill 849 — commonly called the PETS Act ("Providing Equitable Telemedicine for Pets") — is the 2024 Florida law that established the state's regulatory framework for veterinary telemedicine. Before HB849, Florida (like many states) had ambiguous rules about whether a vet could establish the legally required "veterinarian-client-patient relationship" (VCPR) through a video visit. That ambiguity meant most Florida vets refused to prescribe online — even for routine conditions like ear infections or flea allergies — because doing so risked their license.
The PETS Act removed the ambiguity. The law explicitly authorizes Florida-licensed veterinarians to establish a VCPR via telehealth and, with that relationship in place, to prescribe medication during a video consultation — subject to defined limits around controlled substances and certain edge cases.
For Florida pet owners, the practical effect is dramatic: any pet parent anywhere in the state can now book a 24/7 video visit with a Florida-licensed vet, get a written treatment plan, and (where appropriate) receive a prescription that's filled and shipped — all without leaving the house.
The Florida Senate's full text and analysis of the bill is available on the Florida Senate website. The ASPCA's commendation of Governor DeSantis on signing the bill provides context on the advocacy that led to the legislation.
Before vs after
What HB849 actually changed
Before HB849
Florida vets couldn't reliably establish a vet-client-patient relationship (VCPR) over video, so most refused to prescribe online — even for routine conditions.
After HB849
The PETS Act explicitly authorizes Florida vets to establish VCPR through telehealth visits, so prescriptions can be issued when clinically appropriate.
Before HB849
Pet parents in rural Florida counties often had to drive 30-60+ minutes for routine vet care, especially during nights, weekends, and holidays.
After HB849
Any pet parent anywhere in Florida can book a video visit with a Florida-licensed veterinarian, 24/7, with prescription delivery to their address.
Before HB849
Cost-conscious pet parents were stuck paying $130-200+ for in-person visits or skipping care altogether — a known driver of the 52% of US pet owners who skip recommended veterinary care.
After HB849
Telehealth providers like RexVet can offer the same licensed Florida vet care at $64.99 per visit, because telehealth doesn't carry brick-and-mortar overhead.
Before HB849
Hurricane evacuations and seasonal closures made consistent vet care difficult — pet parents lost continuity with their local clinic every time they had to leave town.
After HB849
Telehealth visits travel with the pet parent — you can see a Florida vet from anywhere with internet, as long as the pet is in Florida at the time of the visit.
What Florida pet owners can do right now
Under the PETS Act, a Florida-licensed veterinarian can handle most common pet concerns over a secure video visit. Specifically:
- Skin and ear issues — itching, hot spots, ear infections, allergic flares
- Urinary symptoms — straining, frequency, suspected UTIs (with appropriate triage)
- Digestive upsets — mild vomiting and diarrhea that doesn't meet ER criteria
- Anxiety and behavioral concerns — situational anxiety, noise sensitivity, post-adoption transition
- Flea, tick, and parasite management — preventives, treatment plans, year-round protocols
- Prescription refills for stable chronic conditions
- Post-visit follow-up — checking in after an in-person vet visit, second opinions on diagnoses
- Routine wellness questions — diet, weight, vaccine timing, senior pet care planning
For all of the above, your Florida-licensed RexVet veterinarian can write a treatment plan, prescribe medication where appropriate, and arrange same-day RexVetRx delivery to your Florida address — without you leaving the house.
What still requires in-person care
The PETS Act expanded what's possible over video, but it didn't replace in-person veterinary medicine. The following still requires hands-on care:
- True emergencies — uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing, suspected poisoning, collapse, prolonged seizures, suspected GDV in deep-chested dogs. Go to the nearest emergency vet immediately.
- Diagnostics requiring imaging — X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans
- Bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal testing that requires a physical sample collection
- Surgery and dental procedures
- Hands-on physical examination for complex or unclear cases — your telehealth vet will say so and refer you appropriately
A well-designed telehealth visit doesn't pretend to do what only in-person care can do — it triages, treats what's appropriate, and refers what isn't. That's what RexVet's veterinarians do on every call.
How to use a Florida online vet today
- Confirm the vet is Florida-licensed. Any telehealth service operating legally in Florida should be matching you with a vet who holds an active Florida DVM license. RexVet does this automatically — you don't need to verify manually, but if you want to, Florida vet licenses are publicly searchable on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website.
- Book your visit. Pick a time on RexVet's booking page. Single visits are $64.99, or upgrade to the $120/year Family Plan covering 4 visits and unlimited messaging across every pet in your household.
- Be ready to show your pet on camera. Have your pet nearby, in good lighting, with the affected area visible if there's a specific issue (e.g., a hot spot or limp). Have your phone with the RexVet app installed, or join from a laptop with a webcam.
- Have your questions ready. The vet has 15 minutes. Lead with the main concern, mention timing ("when did this start?"), changes in eating/drinking/elimination, and any medications already in play.
- Receive a written treatment plan + prescription (if applicable). The vet sends a summary after the call, including any prescriptions filled through RexVetRx for same-day delivery to your Florida address.
Florida PETS Act FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is Florida's PETS Act (HB849)?
Florida House Bill 849 — the PETS Act — is the 2024 Florida legislation that established the state's regulatory framework for veterinary telemedicine. It explicitly authorizes licensed Florida veterinarians to establish a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship and prescribe medication through video consultations under defined conditions, making Florida one of the most explicit and pet-owner-friendly telehealth states in the country.
Can a Florida vet prescribe medication online under the PETS Act?
Yes — with conditions. A licensed Florida veterinarian can prescribe medication through a telehealth consultation when they have established a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with the pet through that telehealth visit. Certain controlled substances, opioids, and prescriptions for animals the vet has never seen in person are subject to additional restrictions; the vet will tell you on the call whether your situation qualifies for an online prescription.
Do I have to live in Florida to use a Florida online vet?
The veterinarian needs to be licensed in the state where the pet is physically located at the time of the visit. So yes — if you and your pet are in Florida, you need to see a Florida-licensed vet (whether in person or by video). RexVet's veterinarians are licensed in Florida, New York, and Virginia for exactly this reason.
Is RexVet operating under the PETS Act?
Yes. RexVet was built specifically around the regulatory clarity the PETS Act created. Our Florida-licensed veterinarians conduct video consultations from Florida pet parents under the law's VCPR framework, and prescriptions (where authorized) are filled through our in-house pharmacy, RexVetRx, with same-day delivery to the pet parent's Florida address.
What kinds of pet conditions can be handled under PETS Act telehealth?
Most non-emergency conditions: skin and ear issues, urinary symptoms, mild digestive upsets, anxiety and behavioral concerns, flea and tick management, common allergy flares, prescription refills for chronic conditions, and post-visit follow-up. Florida vets are clear about when an issue requires hands-on care (X-rays, blood work, surgery, true emergencies) and will refer to in-person care when appropriate.
Does the PETS Act mean Florida pet care got cheaper?
The law itself doesn't set prices — it just made telehealth-based veterinary care legally clear. But because telehealth doesn't carry the overhead of a brick-and-mortar clinic (rent, equipment, in-person staffing for every visit), telehealth providers can price below traditional clinics. RexVet visits start at $64.99 — roughly half the cost of an average Florida in-person vet visit — and our non-profit (501(c)(3)) structure means surplus revenue is reinvested into access rather than profit margin.
What's the difference between the PETS Act and the federal AVMA telehealth guidelines?
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) publishes national professional guidance on veterinary telehealth, but each state ultimately controls how telemedicine is practiced inside its borders. The PETS Act is Florida's specific implementation — clearer and more permissive than the default in many other states. New York and Virginia (where RexVet also operates) each have their own telemedicine rules; the vet you book with handles the state-specific compliance automatically.
How do I verify my online vet is actually licensed in Florida?
Florida licenses are searchable on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website. Search by the veterinarian's name to confirm an active Florida veterinary license. RexVet only matches Florida pet parents with veterinarians who hold an active Florida license at the time of the consultation.
Talk to a Florida-licensed vet under the PETS Act
24/7 video visits with a Florida-licensed RexVet veterinarian. Same-day prescription delivery via RexVetRx. $64.99 per visit — non-profit pricing, no shareholders.
Last reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM on 2026-05-18.