Subject:
Title
Ordinance updates to Chapter 14 of the Pinellas County Code relating to animals specifically regarding the retail sale of dogs and cats in Pinellas County.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Conduct a public hearing for proposed ordinance updates on the augmentation and clarification of Pinellas County Code.
• Ordinance updates related to Pet Stores that ban the opening of new retail pet stores, restrict the expansion or relocation of the existing stores while grandfathering the 6 existing retail pet stores with additional regulations.
• Approve definition updates and new definitions in Section 14-26 Definitions
• Approve ordinance updates on the augmentation and clarification of code of sections 14-29 Pet Dealerships; kennels; and hobby breeders.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Summary
The proposed changes to Chapter 14 are brought forth to address sections of the code in need of clarification and augmentation regarding retail pet sales in Pinellas County.
Definition of Animal Shelter is being updated.
Definitions being added:
Certificate of Source, Commercial Establishment, and Retail Sale
Ordinance Section 14-29 Pet Dealerships, Kennels, and Hobby Breeders is being updated. Paragraph IV Retail Sales of Animals is being added to clarify and augment the regulation of commercial establishments that engage in the retail sales of dogs or cats. This section will ban the opening of any additional commercial establishments that engage in the retail sale of dogs and cats. It will restrict the ability of the existing stores to expand or relocate within Pinellas County and it will place additional animal related regulations on the existing stores to safeguard public health and animal welfare.
If approved, the ordinances will be in effect countywide.
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Background Information:
The issue of banning the retail sale of dogs and cats in Pinellas County was brought to the Commission by citizen advocates. Pinellas County Animal Services was asked to research the pet breeding and sales industry to provide information. PCAS has researched the pet breeding industry, federal regulations, state regulations, transportation regulations, local stores, and consumer protection options. The ordinance updates for Chapter 14 are proposed to address the retail sale of dogs and cats in Pinellas County.
The ordinance updates meet the County’s strategic plan and are reasonable and enforceable.
Fiscal Impact:
There are no fiscal impacts referenced in this ordinance or the supporting documentation and no expected direct costs associated with the revisions to Chapter 14 of the Pinellas County Code. As a result, no budgetary impacts are anticipated
Staff Member Responsible:
Doug Brightwell, Director, Animal Services
Partners:
None
Attachments:
Ordinance Update - Clean Copy (04.29.2022)
Ordinance Update - Redline Version (04.29.2022)
Notice of Public Hearing Proposed Ordinance Updates (06.07.2022)