Pet-Friendly Pinellas

st pete waterfront

Anyone who lives in Pinellas County can declare the area embraces its animal companions with an exuberance reserved for the greatest pet enthusiasts. The county features a multitude of public parks and destinations designed for, and around, pets.

Perhaps you’ve taken your pup to play in the turquoise waters off the dog beach at Ft. De Soto State Park. Maybe picked up a cup of coffee and some whiskered kisses at the Sunshine Kitty Catfe and splashed in the doggie waterpark at Love My Dog. No matter what you are into, there is something for you and your pet in Pinellas County. Better yet, many of the greatest things for our pets are free. Dog parks and pet-friendly walking trails are everywhere. Many even have showers, pet waste bag stations, and dog-level water fountains.

If you plan on visiting a dog park with your pet, we strongly recommend your pup be on a monthly preventive for heartworms and fleas. Parks can be hot spots for transmission due to the large number of pets mingling together. Many parks also have vaccination requirements so be sure your pup is up-to-date on their rabies, influenza and leptospirosis, among others. Here are just a few of the great Pinellas County parks where you can take your pup.

couple with dog on beach

  • Fort De Soto Park – Fort De Soto boasts a fabulous off-leash dog beach along with a fenced big dog/small dog play area, a dog-friendly campground and dog showers for those hot, sandy days.
  • Anderson Park – While visiting Anderson’s dog park you can take in some beautiful wooded areas and scenic vistas overlooking Salmon Bay and Lake Tarpon.
  • Boca Ciega Park – This is a great place to kayak and picnic among oak hammocks and salt marshes. It also has a big dog/small dog park complete with an obstacle course in the small dog area. 
  • John Chesnut Sr. Park – The small dog and big dog runs at Chesnut offer nice benches, watering stations and baby pools for your pup to cool off in.
  • Eagle Lake Park – Eagle Lake Park offers three fenced dog runs – two for large dogs and one for small dogs. There is ample shade and plenty of benches to watch your dog frolic. When you are done, hook up the leash and take a stroll together through one of the many scenic boardwalk trails.
  • Honeymoon Island State Park– the popular destination is the most visited public beach in Florida. There’s also a beach dedicated for dogs. Just make sure you have them on a six foot leash. When you are done, there’s a place to wash your pup and freshen them up before heading back home.

When you are done playing and looking for somewhere to rest, head over to the city of St. Petersburg’s website and check out the St. Pete PAWS initiative. Created in 2019, it is designed to help pets and pet families feel welcome in the city by highlighting all the great places you can visit together. They’ve created an interactive map highlighting all the cities accommodations.

If you need assistance getting your pet up-to-date on vaccines or preventives, please call our Veterinary Center staff at 727-220-1770 or reach us by email.