Friends of Strays speaks out on puppy stores in Pinellas
Friday, August 1, 2025
Friends of Strays was devastated to learn about the conditions innocent puppies were forced to endure at Blue Sky Puppies, whose pet dealer permit was
revoked by Pinellas County for an “overwhelming number of violations” – including “dozens” of puppies who had died over the past 2 years and went unreported to the county as is required, according to the statement released by Pinellas County Animal Services (PCAS).
How many puppies need to be imported into Florida from puppy mills, only to die in unfit conditions, before we as a community stop supporting commercial breeding?
Another retail store, Sunshine Puppies in Largo, received a citation just last year after a husky puppy died.
There are six animal retail stores in Pinellas County still in operation. More are banned from opening through a 2022 ordinance passed by the county prohibiting more from opening.
Yet, earlier this year, Pinellas County Commissioners discussed loosening the ordinance during a board workshop.
Pinellas County residents: if you don’t want to support commercial breeding, let your County Commissioners know. Don’t loosen animal welfare standards. Tighten them.
Read Friends of Strays' full viewpoint, published Thursday, July 31, 2025, in the Tampa Bay Times.
– Dara Worthington, CEO, Friends of Strays
