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Animal Services - Pinellas County FloridaPinellas County Animal Services News

This is a very exciting time for Animal Services.  The Penny For Pinellas Project to fund the renovation and upgrade of the Animal Services facility is underway.  This is approximately a 1 year project to renovate all the animal housing buildings and replace the kennels for all the dogs housing areas.  Additionally, the buildings will be strengthened for a category 4 hurricane, have a fire sprinkler system, new roof, and air conditioning.  This project is the first renovation of the shelter since it opened in 1995 and will be a significant upgrade to the facility. 

During this period of construction our dog housing capacity will be reduced by more than 50%.  To facilitate more adoptions, the adoption fees at Animal Services are waived so that all adoptions will be free for the duration of the renovation project. 

PCAS also wanted to take this opportunity to let Veterinary Clinics know that individuals who breed puppies to sell in Pinellas County are required to have either a Hobby Breeder Permit or a Pet Dealer Permit, the type of permit depends on how many litters are sold each year.  If you have clients come into the office for care of a litter of puppies, we are requesting assistance from your vet staff to help educate the puppy owner about this permitting requirement.   Per County Ordinance 14-29 a breeder must have a valid hobby breeder or pet dealer permit. This permit ensures that the home is inspected by PCAS to verify that the adult dogs are current on rabies vaccines and county licenses and that the home meets minimum standards for puppies to be raised in.

As part of the permitting program for hobby breeders and pet dealers, the puppies will be required to have Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection documenting all veterinary care provided to the purchaser of the puppies.  The breeder is required to complete sales forms that are turned into PCAS providing both seller information and buyer information on each puppy to PCAS. If the dog owner provides/offers stud services a permit is also required, and annual inspections are also completed to ensure that the dogs are cared for appropriately.  Applications for all these permits can be obtained at Pinellas County Animal Services.

 

Doug Brightwell, MBA, CAW
Director – Pinellas County Animal Services.

727-582-2607 (Office)