Why this Pinellas commissioner believes pet shops can humanely promote puppies

Last yr, the Pinellas County Commission determined to permit retail pet shops to stay in our group. This choice, I consider, led to a singular partnership that ensures the well being and security of puppies in our group’s pet shops — and transparency about how they had been raised.

Local households deserve choices and correct data to resolve how and the place to discover a pet. Research from the American Pet Product Association exhibits that half of American households hunt down a pet retailer or breeder to seek out their subsequent pet. They resolve to go this route as a result of they’ve a particular concept of their good household pet — a sure breed or a particular life stage (like a puppy) — or as a result of they need background data just like the pet’s genetic historical past or medical data.

Only breeders and pet shops can present particular breeds, guarantee {that a} puppy will probably be available and supply assurances a couple of pet’s genetic or medical historical past. Sunshine Puppies, which owns two of the county’s six pet shops, is offering confidence to households who need to know {that a} puppy was humanely bred and raised with care.

It’s inserting a precedence on working with breeders who’ve acquired Canine Care Certification, a voluntary set of care requirements for breeders which are rooted in science and backed by analysis. Managed by Purdue University, the care requirements tackle every part from housing and socialization to veterinary care and genetics for puppies.

Canine Care Certification additionally mandates that breeders have an adoption program in place for the puppies’ dad and mom. Currently, the science-based tips name for retiring the puppy’s dad and mom at 4 to 7 years old, relying on numerous components.

It’s not sufficient to vow {that a} pet was bred by a compassionate breeder. Sunshine Puppies is now partnering with SPCA Tampa Bay, a Largo-based animal welfare organization that had beforehand supported the pet retailer ban, for veterinary care. Acting as a watchdog for puppies within the shops, SPCA Tampa Bay’s veterinarians are visiting Sunshine Puppies’ two shops every week to keep watch over puppies who’re awaiting houses. They’re inspecting puppies’ bodily situation, reviewing their well being histories and finishing the documentation that Florida regulation requires for puppies to be offered.

SPCA Tampa Bay can also be testing a pilot program to rehome the puppy dad and mom via its shelter. This collaboration between personal businesses offers transparency about pets’ origins and well being and accountability to do the proper factor for the animals. If profitable, it may very well be a brand new method to preserving residents’ alternative about their subsequent pet whereas addressing issues about how pets in shops are being raised.

Kathleen Peters is vice chairperson of the Pinellas County Commission.