Clearwater pet store banned from selling dogs after code violations

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Clearwater pet store is temporarily closed after a Pinellas County Animal Services (PCAS) investigation found multiple county code violations.

County officials announced Blue Sky Puppies, located off Ulmerton Road, no longer has its pet dealer permit after investigators were told that the store was selling sick puppies and keeping animals in unsanitary, crowded conditions.

PCAS officers first went to the store on Thursday, July 10, and reported finding 177 puppies at the location, kennels with empty water bottles, kennels without a water bottle or bowl available, 34 puppies in kennels that were too small, enclosures housing multiple sick puppies and puppies in the isolation ward too close to healthy puppies. 

The county says the store violates Pinellas County codes pertaining to pet store regulations, as well as animal care and manner of keeping.

On Monday, a sign could be seen on the store’s entrance that no further animal sales are allowed at this time.

Officers asked for veterinary records for 23 puppies kept in the store in isolation. According to the investigation, the store manager said staff diagnosed and began treatment for the puppies despite staff not holding any veterinary degrees. 

After reading through treatment sheets for the medical isolation area, officers said they found one for a Yorkie puppy showing three days of treatment, but the puppy was not in the store. When asked for the location of the puppy, the staff reportedly said the puppy died and was taken to a local veterinary hospital to be cremated. 

Officers followed up with the hospital about the Yorkie and said they learned Blue Sky Puppies turned in dozens of puppies for cremation over the last two years. The store did not notify PCAS or provide veterinary medical records upon request, which is required by Pinellas County Code.

County officials also say the store previously received one citation for not having Official Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (OCVIs) for five puppies in 2024. 

“Protecting animals is one of our primary duties, and the practices in use at this store posed a risk to the animals for sale there,” Jennifer Renner, Pinellas County Animal Services Director, said in a statement. “We inspect and investigate pet stores around the county and will continue to hold them accountable to our ordinance.” 

These various regulations and codes were passed in 2022, when county commissioners voted to ban the retail sales of dogs and cats.

The ordinance prohibits new pet stores from opening while allowing existing ones to continue operating under tighter regulations. Those regulations include cage minimum requirements and the submission of vet records and sourcing information every time a dog is sold.

The permit holder for Blue Sky Puppies can request a review from the county administrator within five business days. Without a valid permit, puppies cannot be housed at the store and must be transported out of Pinellas County within five days.  

“I am encouraged by the professionalism of our Animal Services staff,” Board of County Commissioners Chair Brian Scott said in a statement. “They acted swiftly to investigate a complaint and took prompt action to protect animal welfare in our county. It hurts to learn about potential mistreatment of puppies, but that’s why we have an ordinance regulating pet stores and a trained staff of Animal Control officers to ensure they meet the standard.”