Manatee County has approved a new ordinance that bans new retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats.
The County Commission voted unanimously to approve the measure on Tuesday. The move comes after years of back-and-forth decisions on the issue, including a 2021 countywide ban that was later repealed in 2023 amid legal challenges and political turnover.
The newly approved measure does not affect the three stores currently operating in the county but blocks any new businesses from selling dogs or cats. Commissioners described it as a step toward evaluating a broader policy decision, as nearby counties continue to enforce stricter bans on retail pet sales.
Manatee County bans new retail stores from selling pets
Manatee County’s new ordinance tries to balance a desire to shut down the retail sale of cats and dogs and concerns about impacts on existing businesses with a more expansive ban.
Existing stores will be allowed to continue operations, but only under strict rules. They’re no longer permitted to expand, and if they relocate the new location must be smaller, both in total square footage and the number of kennels. Stores that move will also need to reapply for a license and pass a new inspection.
The law builds on a previous ordinance adopted in October that created an inspection program for breeders and retail pet sellers. That law introduced twice-a-year inspections, veterinary oversight, and other baseline welfare standards. The new ordinance is intended to work in tandem with those rules.
The updated rules introduce a range of requirements that include moisture-resistant animal enclosures sized appropriately based on the animal’s weight. Dogs over 35 pounds must be exercised three times a day, animals must be removed from enclosures during a required daily cleaning process, and ventilation systems must minimize odors and ensure animals are kept at comfortable temperatures.
Pet stores must also maintain detailed health and sourcing records, submit sales and animal history reports to the county, and ensure that all dogs and cats are microchipped and vaccinated before being sold.
Manatee County residents weigh in on retail sale of dogs and cats
Supporters of the new law say it’s a necessary response to ongoing problems with commercial breeding, but voiced desire for even further action.
During public comment, Manatee County resident Stacey Mazza Gilkinson said the ordinance is a step in the right direction but urged commissioners to pursue a full retail ban, citing out-of-state sourcing from large-scale breeders as a continuing concern.
“I think we’re missing why the animal lovers are trying to do that,” Gilkinson said. “The puppies are not coming from Florida, they’re not coming locally, they’re coming from out-of-state and they’re coming from puppy mills and that’s where the abuse is and that’s the reason why we’re trying to get this complete ban.”
Petland representative Elizabeth Kunzelman defended the stores and their long-standing presence.
Kunzelman said Petland owners regularly visit their breeders and emphasized that many out-of-state breeders are held to higher standards through multiple levels of inspection—including USDA licensing, American Kennel Club oversight, and third-party certifications like Purdue University’s Canine Care Certified program.
She added that while Petland supports oversight like the rules introduced in 2024, the new restriction on relocation could unfairly penalize businesses that are forced to move due to reasons beyond their control, such as lease changes or property damage.
“Every year, for the last 10 years, they’ve had to defend their existence and their livelihoods, and their right to legally operate,” Kunzelman said. “There have been at least four attempts to completely shut them down through local or state legislation.
“Some of these other states have very, very high breeder standards,” she said. “Then at other levels, so you have AKC that inspects breeders, you have Purdue University’s Canine Care certified program that inspects breeders. We are not just willy-nilly, bringing in puppies from all over the place.”
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