Pinellas leaders consider additional puppy stores, regulations

At least one Pinellas County official would like to increase the number of allowable puppy stores as commissioners consider modifying industry regulations.

The County Commission banned new pet retailers in June 2022 while allowing six existing stores — four centrally located in Largo — to remain in business. The animal services department provided a long-planned update on potential regulatory changes at a Feb. 20 workshop.

Puppy-focused ordinance enhancements would intensify retailer requirements and county enforcement. However, multiple commissioners believe the penalties would unnecessarily harm store owners.

“I don’t want to be anti-business on this,” said Commissioner Kathleen Peters. “And since the demand is so high, I wouldn’t even mind expanding retail stores.”

Jennifer Renner, interim director of animal services, said the formal recommendations would strengthen animal welfare standards in retail puppy stores. The ordinances also apply to between 50 and 80 hobby breeders.

Six local retail stores sold 4,800 puppies in 2024, with 48% going to nonresidents. Animal services received just three consumer protection complaints, all related to health issues.

The department investigated 22 animal welfare complaints and issued eight citations to retailers. Renner said seven were related to missing or inaccurate information on point-of-sale forms or health certificates.

The county issued a $148 citation to the owner of Sunshine Puppies after a husky puppy died in July 2024 due to a lack of veterinary care. Renner said the dog likely had distemper, a highly contagious viral disease.

“After the death of the husky puppy … we performed randomized inspections of all six retail pet stores,” Renner said. “We did not find any additional violations.”

She added that animal services received a one-sentence necropsy report on the dead puppy, essentially saying the cause of death was unknown. The incident influenced some of the proposed ordinance modifications.

Renner said Pinellas retailers source puppies from U.S. Department of Agriculture commercial breeding facilities. However, she noted an inspector general’s inability to inspect 2,400 facilities annually or “follow up on” over 800 violations.

County officials prefer retailers to buy puppies from Purdue University Canine Care-certified breeders, which prioritizes behavioral health and quality of life. About 25% of the 2,400 USDA-approved facilities have this more stringent certification.

Renner recommended only allowing retailers to source puppies from Purdue-certified breeders within 12 months of the ordinance changes. Animal services would also increase unannounced inspections from once to twice annually.

“I love the idea of it, but there’s only 25% that are certified,” said Commission chairperson Brian Scott. “How stable is that program … are we now putting them in a situation where they’re set up for failure?”

The proposed changes include additional administrative reporting and consumer information requirements. Renner also wants puppy deaths with no diagnosis to trigger a mandatory necropsy from an independent agency.

She asked the board to increase fines from $148 for a first offense to a $500 flat rate. Renner also recommended suspending pet dealer permits for up to 14 days after an animal welfare violation.

She said that would allow officials to mitigate the spread of a potentially contagious disease.

“I understand what you’re trying to do, but wow, shutting down a person’s business for 14 days … I couldn’t get behind that,” said Commissioner Chris Scherer.

The enhanced penalties would allow animal services to revoke pet dealer permits indefinitely after two suspensions within two years. Commissioner Dave Eggers was the lone advocate on the board.

“I don’t think anything here is over the top,” Eggers said. “The 14 days is not over the top because we’re not saying it is 14 days. We’re waiting to see what the problem and what the infection exposure is, and if it’s five days, we get going right away.”

He believes scrupulous retailers should welcome enhanced regulations and cameras in their stores, which helped uncover the husky puppy’s death. Eggers also noted that Manatee County reinstated its ban on new puppy retailers and will use the current local ordinance as a model.

However, Peters said just 22 complaints and eight citations — mostly administrative — amid 4,800 dogs sold last year proves that “our retailers are not bad actors.”

“That tells me we don’t have a problem in our retail stores,” Peters continued. “And again, I would like to see us bring back that old ordinance and maybe repeal it — because I don’t think it’s necessary to be so restrictive on a business that could thrive in this county.”

County Administrator Barry Burton said Renner would consider a tiered enforcement approach considering the commission’s comments. He will then advertise a public hearing regarding potential ordinance modifications.