St. Petersburg, FL

BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ certified cities have programs and policies that make it easier for pets and pet owners to live a happy, healthy life together.

What Makes St. Petersburg a Pet-Friendly City?

Certified in the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program in 2019, St. Petersburg, Florida, has been active with the program since 2018. They received a BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ grant in 2019 to create their comprehensive education and communications program called St. Pete PAWS.

The program was created to collaborate with organizations that support pets and their owners to make St. Petersburg a city where pets are welcome. It’s designed to:

  • Enhance and expand St. Pete’s paw print with projects and education that promote happy, healthy, pets and pet families at home, as well as in the city’s businesses, parks, and other public spaces.
  • Build a framework of pet-friendly and pet-centric businesses and organizations, creating connections and partnering to maximize their collective skills and passion to make a positive impact on pets and the community.
  • Shine a light on St. Pete as a pet-friendly city and promote the tangible benefits pet-friendliness provides to current residents, newcomers, and visitors.

Celebrating Pet-Friendly Businesses

The city also hosts a Mayor’s Pet-Friendly Business Program. Eligible businesses are invited to take part in the movement to make St. Pete a place where pets are happy, healthy, and welcome.

Businesses that sign up for the program are recognized on the city’s pet-friendly map, get information about hosting pets, and receive a window decal and social media graphic to tout their commitment to pets.

St. Pete is also notable for having a “pets on patios” policy. Businesses can apply for a dog dining permit with the city’s Planning and Economic Development Department.

Pet-friendly places in the city include Ferg’s Sports Bar (and dog park!), Westminster Shores pet-friendly senior living and Pinellas Ale Works.

St. Petersburg’s Mayor on Being Pet-Friendly

“In St. Petersburg, we know our pets are our family. We are a community where you don’t have to look far to find a place to enjoy a day out with your four-legged friend. From pet-friendly bars and restaurants and senior living communities, to the myriad businesses that allow workers to bring their pets to work, St. Pete is about as pet friendly as they come, and we’d have it no other way.”

– Mayor Ken Welch

Mayor Welch is smiling and holding up a puppy.
Mayor Welch and Sunni

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