The Brief
- Nearly 400 citations were issued to Pinellas County pet stores in the past year, according to county records.
- Commissioners are set to consider new regulations Tuesday aimed at animal care, inspections, and transparency.
- Animal advocates say the proposed rules stop short of banning pet stores but raise minimum standards.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Pinellas County commissioners will discuss tighter regulations for retail pet stores during their meeting Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. The move comes after county animal services issued nearly 400 citations to pet stores across the county over the past year, raising concerns among animal welfare advocates.
Advocates point to repeated violations involving housing conditions, sanitation, and the treatment of sick animals as the driving force behind the proposed changes.
The backstory:
While Hillsborough and Pasco counties banned dog and cat retail stores in 2020, Pinellas County has not. St. Petersburg later enacted its own ban, but pet stores continue to operate elsewhere in the county.
In October, Animal Justice Task Force founder Elizabeth Olson reviewed county records and found widespread violations, including employees diagnosing and treating sick animals without veterinary credentials, overcrowded cages, lack of water and failure to isolate ill dogs.
Blue Sky Puppies was forced to close in July after its pet dealer permit was revoked, which came after nearly 300 citations.…