The Division of Animal Industry is responsible for enforcing animal health regulations in Florida and protecting the state from animal pests and diseases, which could have major economic and public health consequences. The division director serves as the State Veterinarian and is responsible for enforcing animal health regulations in Florida and protecting the state from animal pests and diseases. The division conducts active animal disease prevention, surveillance, control programs, and disease diagnostics. Through these activities, the division plays a critical role in safeguarding animal and public health and maintaining market access for Florida's animals and animal products. The division also serves as the lead agency for Animal and Agricultural Issues, Emergency Staffing Function-17 (ESF-17), under Florida's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

• Bureau of Animal Disease Control (BADC) administers Florida's animal disease control and eradication programs. In cooperation with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the bureau protects the state from animal pests and diseases, which could have major economic and public health consequences.
• Bureau of Diagnostic Laboratory-Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL) provides scientific expertise in the detection and investigation of animal diseases that affect human and animal health. The BADDL is located in Kissimmee. 

In Fiscal Year 2019-2020,

• the division conducted 12,420 animal site inspections, which includes any premises where animals are located or commingled;
• the BADDL conducted 79,210 tests; and
• employees spent 9,686 hours on animal and agricultural emergency activities.
  

Animal Disease Monitoring. In Fiscal Year 2019-2020, the division pursued 192 reports of suspected or positive dangerous, transmissible diseases, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Equine Viral Arteritis, Mycoplasmosis, Pseudorabies, New World Screwworm, and Strangles. The division is continuing to monitor and conduct surveillance for many high risk diseases including Classical Swine Fever, High Pathenogenic Avian Influenza, Salmonella, and Chronic Wasting Disease.

Emergency Support Function Response for COVID-19. The division is responsible for the operation and support of the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC), ESF-17. Since the COVID-19 statewide response was launched in March 2020, the division has staffed ESF-17 and coordinated with the Florida State Agricultural Response Team (SART). The division formed three working groups for animal care, pet food donation and distribution, and disease surveillance.

In Fiscal Year 2019-20, the division

• coordinated the testing of 14 animals for COVID-19;
• coordinated the distribution of 134 pallets (nearly 120,000 items) of pet food to animals shelters and families in need through SART partners and Feeding Florida;
• conducted over 200 phone assessments for all 67 counties to assess urgent and unmet needs for the SEOC; 
• assisted the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) with the distribution of the agricultural and equine economic impact surveys to producers and industries in all 67 counties, with over 850 respondents;
• coordinated the mobilization of 18 COVID-19 testing sites and over 109 testing days for Florida's migrant farm workers;
• disseminated biosecurity guidance to 67 local UF IFAS Extension Offices and agents, animal exhibitors, fair boards, agricultural centers, and groups participating in animal activities; and
• published COVID-19 guidelines for animals shelters and pets.

Websites of Interest
Florida Department of Health, Animal Contact and Human Health.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Surveillance for Wild Bird Die-Offs
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Health
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Disease Information
COVID-19 and Animals, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Performance Information

Division of Animal Industry, 850-410-0900

Website