Pinellas County’s Animal Services shut down Clearwater’s Blue Sky Puppies for multiple animal welfare violations. Photo courtesy of Pet Pal Animal Shelter
Pinellas County Animal Services (PCAS) has revoked the pet dealer’s permit for Blue Sky Puppies Tampa Bay. The south Clearwater business lost its permit after “an overwhelming number of violations of Pinellas County Code regulating pet stores,” according to a press release.
Blue Sky Puppies Investigated by PCAS
A few years ago, Pinellas County eliminated permits for pet stores to sell dogs and cats, but grandfathered in six existing stores, of which Blue Sky was one. Blue Sky has five business days to request a review from the county administrator to keep its permit.
After a complaint that alleged Blue Sky had been dealing in sick puppies and keeping them in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions, Pinellas County Animal Services (PCAS) launched an investigation into the pet store.
On July 10, PCAS found “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.” Also, “enclosures housing multiple sick puppies, and puppies in the isolation ward too close to healthy puppies.”
The Case of the Missing Yorkie
The following investigation uncovered treatment records for the store’s medical isolation area. One record documented three days of treatment for a Yorkie puppy; however, PCAS could not find the dog.
“When asked for the location of the puppy, the staff relayed the puppy had died and was taken to a local veterinary hospital for cremation,” PCAS officials wrote in a press release.
PCAS confirmed this with the veterinary hospital, and learned that Blue Sky Puppies had sent “dozens of deceased puppies for cremation over the last two years.” Pinellas County Code requires that pet stores notify PCAS about puppy deaths and provide veterinary records upon request.
Blue Sky failed to do either.
“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,” said Jennifer Renner, Pinellas County Animal Services Director. “We inspect and investigate pet stores around the county and will continue to hold them accountable to our ordinance.”
A History of Violation
This is not Blue Sky’s first offense.
In 2024, Blue Sky failed to provide Official Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (OCVIs) for five puppies. Additionally, according to the press release, Blue Sky “received a substantial number of citations for violations of Chapter 14, leading PCAS to revoke the store’s Pet Dealer Permit.”
Blue Sky has locations in Tennessee and Orlando. As of Tuesday, July 22, the Tampa Bay location was not listed on its website. The Google listing for the business showed it as “temporarily closed.”
Pinellas Laws About Selling Dogs and Cats
Chapter 14 of the Pinellas County Code of Ordinances, titled “Animals,” regulates pet dealership and permit requirements.
PCAS encourages residents who purchase new puppies from a retail store to have them examined by a licensed veterinarian.
“If the puppy is diagnosed with a contagious or infectious disease within 14 days of purchase or a congenital or hereditary disease within one year of purchase, the pet owner has rights and can seek a refund, reimbursement for veterinary fees, or an exchange.”
The County encourages residents to contact PCAS with any concerns about animal welfare at 727-582-2600 (option 4). Additionally, people can email them at [email protected].
The Gabber Newspaper runs weekly listings of adoptable pets available from Tampa Bay shelters, including Friends of Strays and Pet Pal Animal Shelter.
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