TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Leasing a car is common but how about leasing a pet? It's becoming increasingly popular, leading Florida lawmakers to try banning it.
WTXL found out how pet leasing can be problematic for some family pets.
Molly is a perfect example of the animals that end up going through the leasing process. Lisa Glunt Director of Leon County Humane Society said people typically lease pure bred animals like Molly, who's an English bulldog. She ended up in the care of the humane society after living with a family for years who didn't care for her.
"The expense that you're going to pay up front isn't even the highest cost that you may end up incurring for that animal. Veterinary expenses build up and that's something people need to plan out," said Glunt.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals pet sellers team up with private lending companies that offer a low monthly payment and pad the purchase with high interest.
That's why the organization filed a lawsuit in September 2018. And now Sunshine State lawmakers are jumping on board.
ASPCA says there are 65 stores across Florida that sell animals coming from puppy mills. All but 6 of those stores offer leasing options.
Glunt said Leon County is not home to any of these stores.
"The animals are seen more as property rather than a living being thing that should end up on somebody's home for a lifetime, I think those are areas where they see a bigger instance of these pets for lease."
The bill filed would ban the lease-to-own practice for all pets in Florida.
So far, three states have banned pet leasing, New York, Nevada and California.
Lawmakers hope to add Florida to that list, this year.
