In a decisive measure responding to animal welfare concerns, Pinellas County Animal Services (PCAS) has stripped the Pet Dealer Permit from Blue Sky Puppies, a pet store in Clearwater, following a probe uncovering multiple violations. An initial complaint received on July 9 sparked the investigation, which led to disturbing finds at the store’s premises located on Ulmerton Road, as per a statement made public by Pinellas County.
On July 10, just one day after the complaint, PCAS officers documented unsettling conditions: 177 puppies cramped into unsanitary kennels, some without access to water and others contained in spaces far too small for comfort. A particularly egregious situation involved enclosures that mixed healthy puppies with those unwell. Furthermore, investigations revealed staff had been administering treatments without veterinary qualifications, as Jennifer Renner, Pinellas County Animal Services Director, told the public in a statement.
The depth of the store’s neglect emerged when officials examined medical records, or the lack thereof. A missing Yorkie, supposedly treated but not on site, was reported dead and sent off for cremation, a practice that appeared to be a dismal trend for Blue Sky Puppies. The county’s codes mandate proper notification and record-keeping concerning deceased animals, protocols the store repeatedly breached…