2026 Florida Governor Candidate Animal Welfare Questionnaire
ROXY'S COFFEE | ANIMAL WELFARE ADVOCACY
2026 Florida Governor's Race
Animal Welfare Questionnaire
Gubernatorial Candidate David Jolly
Campaign: Florida 2026
Response dated: September 30, 2026
Transparency & Accountability
Roxy's Coffee contacted Florida's gubernatorial campaigns to seek their positions on important animal-welfare issues.
Below are the questions presented to the David Jolly campaign and the responses provided by the campaign.
Publication of these responses does not constitute a political endorsement by Roxy's Coffee.
As of October 23, 2026, Roxy's Coffee has not received a completed questionnaire from the Byron Donalds campaign. We welcome its response and will make it available under the same conditions.
Florida voters who care about animal welfare deserve to know where candidates for Governor stand on the protection of companion animals, working animals and wildlife.
We respectfully request that your campaign answer the following questions. Responses may be shared publicly so Florida voters can compare the positions of gubernatorial candidates on animal-welfare policy.
1. Animal Cruelty Enforcement
Do you support strengthening Florida's animal-cruelty laws and ensuring that law-enforcement agencies and prosecutors have adequate resources and training to investigate and prosecute serious animal-cruelty cases?
Please explain: Our state will seek guidance from industry experts to formulate a plan that provides significant resources and training for law-enforcement agencies and follow best practices from states, like Illinois that have firm policies on animal-cruelty.
2. Animal Fighting
Dogfighting and other forms of organized animal fighting often involve multiple criminal activities and can operate across county and state lines.
As Governor, what specific actions would you support to improve the investigation, prosecution and prevention of organized animal fighting in Florida?
My administration will encourage and work with the legislature to strengthen Florida Statute 828.122, The Animal Fighting Act, and embark on an education campaign to bring light to the organization of any animal fighting, selling or training dogs for the purpose of fighting, and knowingly using minors to engage in dog fighting. As we address these challenges openly we will reach a new generation of advocates who fight for humane treatment of animals.
3. Bait Animals
Would you support legislation strengthening Florida law regarding the procurement, possession, transfer or use of animals intended to be used as bait animals in organized animal fighting?
Please explain: There is no excuse for baiting animals. Provoking, attacking, or harassing animals is cruel and inhumane. We will listen to animal advocates and experts as we reshape and strengthen current law under Florida Statute 828.122.
4. Commercial Dog Breeding and Puppy Mills
Would you support enforceable statewide minimum standards for large-scale commercial dog-breeding operations, including appropriate standards for housing, veterinary care, sanitation, exercise and breeding frequency?
Please explain: Every industry has standards for quality and safety. We have an obligation to protect dogs from over breeding, inhumane living conditions, food deprivation, unnecessary transmission of diseases and overall cruelty. Our administration will provide clear guidance for how dog-breeding operations should operate and the penalties for violating Florida law.
5. Retail Sale of Dogs and Cats
What is your position on the retail sale of commercially bred dogs and cats in pet stores?
I do not support puppy mills or massive sale of dogs and cats from inhumane circumstances. However, I believe we should collaborate with existing retail entities to encourage best practices for retail sales under state law.
Would you support policies encouraging pet stores to work with animal shelters and legitimate rescue organizations to offer adoptable animals?
6. Municipal Animal Shelters
County and municipal animal shelters frequently face overcrowding, aging facilities, staffing shortages and limited resources.
Would your administration support establishing or expanding state funding opportunities for local government animal shelters, particularly for facility improvements, veterinary care, disaster preparedness and lifesaving programs?
Please explain: I believe local governments are in the best position to make decisions for their respective communities. As governor I would support funding to support overall animal welfare.
7. Animal-Control Enforcement Authority
Do you believe Florida should review whether trained animal-control officers have sufficient statutory authority to investigate serious animal-cruelty cases and effectively coordinate those investigations with law enforcement?
Florida Statute 828.27 (1) (b) provides guidance on training for animal control officers. My administration would work within the confines of this law to ensure alignment with Florida law enforcement investigations.
If so, what changes would you consider?
Task-force to review existing law and develop recommendations to foster more alignment.
8. Domestic Violence and Pets
Concern for the safety of a pet can create an additional obstacle for people attempting to leave an abusive household.
Would you support programs and funding that help domestic-violence shelters accommodate pets or establish partnerships providing safe temporary housing for survivors' animals?
I would support safe temporary housing for survivors’ animals.
Please explain: No additional explanation provided.
9. Horse Protection
What is your position on practices associated with horse soring and other intentional methods of causing pain to alter a horse's gait?
I do not agree with this practice
Would you support strong state and federal enforcement intended to eliminate these practices?
10. Horse Slaughter
What is your position on transporting American horses for slaughter domestically or across U.S. borders?
Disagree
Would you support efforts intended to prevent the slaughter of American horses for human consumption?
11. Florida Wildlife
Florida's rapid population growth increasingly creates conflicts involving development, habitat preservation and wildlife.
What principles should guide Florida's management of native wildlife, including the Florida black bear, Florida panther and other threatened or vulnerable species?
Florida is beautiful because of its diverse ecosystem. We preserve our threatened and endangered species to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Our ecosystem depends on a multitude of factors including preserving our wildlife. We will work with the Everglades Foundation and other environmental experts as we address growth and development in our state.
12. Animal Welfare in Disaster Planning
Hurricanes and other disasters can place companion animals, shelter animals and livestock at significant risk.
Would you support strengthening statewide emergency planning for animals, including pet-friendly evacuation shelters, animal-rescue coordination and emergency resources for animal shelters?
Please explain: No additional explanation provided.
13. Animal-Abuser Restrictions
Would you support strengthening Florida laws that allow courts to restrict individuals convicted of serious animal cruelty or animal fighting from owning or possessing animals following their convictions?
Please explain: Our administration would work with the Florida Legislature and provide recommendations on parameters of animal ownership for individuals with felony penalties.
14. Governor's Animal Welfare Advisory Council
Would you establish a Florida Governor's Animal Welfare Advisory Council composed of representatives from animal shelters and rescues, veterinary medicine, law enforcement, prosecutors, animal-welfare organizations, agriculture and other relevant stakeholders?
The council would advise the Governor on animal cruelty, sheltering, animal fighting, disaster response, veterinary access and other animal-welfare matters.
Please explain: (See First 100 Days- Question 15)
15. First 100 Days
If elected Governor, what is the single most important animal-welfare action you would seek to accomplish during your first 100 days in office?
Create a task force to review current Florida Law under chapter 828 and existing policies in our 67 counties. The task force would provide recommendations on the strength of our policies and provide recommendations for improvement. We would work with our legislative leaders who champion major animal welfare legislation.
Candidate Statement
Please use this space for any additional statement regarding your record, philosophy or priorities concerning animal welfare in Florida:
Campaign Submission Information
Candidate: David Jolly
Campaign: Florida 2026
Completed by: Kimberly G. Jackson
Title/Position: Policy Director
Date: September 30, 2026
Florida's Animals Deserve a Voice.
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