New stores selling certain pets are not permitted to open in Manatee County, and existing pet sellers and breeders will not face stricter regulations under the new rules passed unanimously by county leaders on Tuesday.
Proponents of the ban say that selling pets for commercial purposes will lead to animal abuse and discourage shelter dogs and cats from adopting.
Despite extensive discussion and concerns from some commissioners regarding parts of the ban, the board voted in favor 7-0.
Several commissioners said the new ban was flawed, but argued it was a starting point for addressing concerns about animal welfare.
Commissioner Amanda Ballard compared it to the county and regulated “sexually oriented businesses” like strip clubs. Commissioner Jason Bearden questioned whether the ban on selling retail pets is the constitution.
Mike Bertran, a former state representative and Tampa-based lawyer, spoke in public comments on behalf of Petland. Two of the three stores selling cats and dogs at Manatee are Petland franchises. “This is a compromise and we are grateful,” Bertrand said.
However, he said the chain has some concerns about the ordinance, including reduction requirements if the business moves. He also questioned whether some of the vaccine requirements ordinances would conflict with state law, suggesting that the county could see the legal challenges.
Animal welfare advocates praised the changes to the rules, but some say they hope for a complete ban in the future.
What does the ban do?
New stores selling cats and dogs will soon be enacted. Three existing pet retailers in the county can continue selling animals, but can face new restrictions, including licensing and testing requirements, as well as new vaccines and health requirements for animals. They cannot expand and if they move, it must be in a small building with little retail pet space. The right to sell a pet is transferred if one of the companies is for sale. The ban does not apply to retailers like Petsmart that do not sell dogs or cats, but instead encourages adoption from local shelters through stores. Smaller pet breeders can continue to operate, but face more stringent regulations. To maintain an active license, breeders will be subject to unpublished inspections within 60 days of the license expires. You must also sell your pet from an address associated with the license, and any pets for sale must include the breeder’s license number. Breeders and pet stores must report all dog and cat sales to the county.
“The purpose of this is to improve our animal welfare standards (and to support healthier and safer communities,” said Sarah Brown, the county veteran and Community Services Director. “Last year, it was based on an ordinance requiring inspections of stores and breeders.”
Tuesday’s vote took place around the clock over years as to whether retail pet sales should be allowed in the county.
In 2021, manatees banned the sale of retail pets entirely. The ban followed years of advocacy from animal welfare advocates who proved that some pet retailers had supplied inhumane practices from “puppy factories.” To end sales in a year, I became two pet retailers operating in the county.
But the commissioners overturned the ban in 2023 when the county faced lawsuits from two local Petland franchises. Then last year, the commissioner passed strict rules and testing requirements for large pet stores and breeders after hearing reports of local animal cruelty from county staff.
After last year’s election led to changes in board members, Commissioner George Cruze moved to a new pet sales ban research option in February, which the board voted unanimously. The new rules are modeled after the Pinellas County language by the grandfather of an existing retailer.
Original issue: June 5th, 2025 9:30am EDT
