Pinellas County’s five remaining pet stores will face additional regulatory oversight after an investigation uncovered dozens of unreported puppy deaths. However, some commissioners believe the new rules unfairly target compliant retailers.
Commissioners unanimously approved the regulations and penalties Tuesday night following nearly two hours of ardent debate. They will also consider removing a ban on new pet stores.
A representative from All About Puppies said adopting the county’s incremental changes, which do not apply to rescue groups and nonprofit shelters, is unsustainable for a small business. Commissioner Kathleen Peters agreed with the sentiment and advocated for a holistic approach that doesn’t pick “winners and losers.”
“I want to see total animal welfare,” Peters said. “I think that this proposal is premature. I don’t think we’re ready. I think the beginning process was poorly done.”
Pinellas banned new pet retailers in April 2022, while allowing six existing stores – four centrally located around Largo – to remain in business. The county now has five.
A complaint in July led to Animal Services shuttering Blue Sky Puppies. The department found 177 puppies in unsanitary, crowded kennels.
Jennifer Renner, director of Animal Services, noted that investigators uncovered 71 unreported puppy deaths. At the time, she told the Catalyst that Pinellas had only recorded one other animal welfare violation over the past two years.
Renner said Tuesday that the severity of those violations justified amending and strengthening related ordinances. Peters credited her for addressing some perceived initial missteps after admonishing Renner for consulting with animal welfare activists before pet retailers.
“I don’t want the risk of some kind of suspension because of an administrative citation, which has been problematic to begin with,” Peters said. “Some citations were for font size … I don’t want inappropriate punishment for paperwork.”
The new regulations, which also apply to pet brokers and hobby breeders, increase unannounced inspections from once to twice annually, require additional solid flooring in kennels, implement new quarantine and healthcare protocols and mandate social enrichment efforts.
Pet retailers must abide by new cleaning and sanitation protocols and display veterinary inspection paperwork on kennels. Business owners must also submit those records to the county via an online portal. They have three days to report any deaths and subsequent necropsy results.
Renner said her agency would impose a $500 citation, the maximum allowable, and a seven-day permit suspension for “more severe” animal cruelty and neglect violations. “But we built in a three-day officer follow-up.”
She added that compliant shops could have their permit reinstated “at any time.” Commissioner Dave Eggers said the issue is “really about taking care of our animals, and raising the standard for a business that takes care of our animals.”
“I would think it could be a really tough business. I’m not saying it’s easy.”
He and several of his colleagues expressed concern with false reporting, particularly from non-local activists. While complaints are no longer anonymous, Pinellas relies on self-identification.
Multiple commissioners believe that rescue and shelter organizations, including animal services, should abide by the same standards as retailers. “We have nonprofit hospitals that have to adhere to the same regulations as for-profit hospitals,” Peters said.
County Attorney Jewel White confirmed that any ordinance violations, including administrative mistakes, could result in permit suspensions. Commissioners agreed to amend that language.
Peters expressed concern that the county, like St. Petersburg, was moving toward eliminating all pet stores. She said the black market for puppies is “out of control,” and the “abuse is so unbelievable” in states with blanket retail bans.
Commission Chair Brian Scott said he, too, wanted to “do everything we can” to improve animal welfare. “But I’m also a small business owner, and I don’t want to see any industry die the death of a thousand cuts.”
Commissioner Vince Nowicki compared the regulatory framework to restaurant standards. He also noted that Pinellas doesn’t prohibit new establishments.
Nowicki believes the county should welcome new pet retailers “if these standards are solving the problems.” He suggested that commissioners review the ordinance’s efficacy, consider extending it to other organizations and explore allowing additional stores before revisiting the topic in six months.
His colleagues agreed and unanimously passed the new regulations. “So we err on the side, a little bit, of animals,” Eggers said. “Ok, I’m guilty.”
“But we can bring it back again if we have to tweak things,” he continued. “The path forward is not always stricter. I don’t think it has to be all or nothing the first time around.”
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
