Thrive
Pinellas completes $5.6 million animal shelter project
Animal Services Director Jennifer Renner noted the county completed two projects simultaneously over the past two years.
The former and future pets housed by Pinellas County Animal Services now have a new medical hospital and kennel building built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane.
A recently completed $5.6 million renovation project also added air conditioning and larger kennels. The animals will hear relaxing music from a new audio system, thanks to donations from the Clouden Family of Consumer Energy Solutions, Tidal Builders and BCI Integrated Solutions.
Local officials celebrated the facility’s reopening Friday, Aug. 1. Commission Chair Brian Scott also recognized State Rep. Linda Chaney’s animal welfare advocacy in the legislature by presenting her with a key to the county.
“Providing our animals with the best care possible is something that means a lot to me; it means a lot to all of us,” Scott said. “These improvements make sure that when animals are here, they’re safe, they’re comfortable and they’re happy until they find their forever home – when they will be eternally happy.”
From left: Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton, Animal Services Director Jennifer Renner, Commissioner Dave Eggers, Commissioner Kathleen Peters, Commission Chair Brian Scott and Rep. Linda Chaney at the Aug. 1 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Animal Services Director Jennifer Renner noted the county completed two projects simultaneously over the past two years. Officials dedicated about $1.3 million in Penny for Pinellas tax funding to transform the former St. Pete College Veterinary Technology Building into a state-of-the-art medical facility.
The building is adjacent to the animal services complex at 12450 Ulmerton Rd. in Largo. Renner said her department would “continue working side by side with those future vet tech students.”
Paramedic students also train at the facility. “So, this becomes a truly collaborative and multi-purpose building to have us all working together,” Renner said. “The potential is there.”
She noted the updated veterinary facility allows her medical team to perform dental and radiology procedures, “in addition to them performing thousands of surgeries and medical treatments every single year for the betterment of animal welfare in this county.”
“They don’t just do spays and neuters in there,” Renner added. “They’re in there doing surgery right now.”
A veterinarian performs a procedure at the new medical facility.
County officials previously estimated that upgrades to the current facility would cost $3.5 million. While the cost increased to $4.3 million due to the heating and cooling system, Scott credited Renner for completing the project under budget. “That’s amazing,” he said.
Renner said she owes a “huge debt of gratitude” to the county’s construction and project management teams for overcoming several challenges. Those included vendor price fluctuations, design changes and “not one, but two hurricanes” amid a “very unpredictable” animal shelter environment.
The facility’s dogs are now safe from all but the strongest hurricanes and have new kennels with “expansion gates” and built-in beds. Crews installed a new roof, doors, windows and a fire suppression system.
“And of course, the most anticipated upgrade, the air conditioning in every single kennel building,” Renner added. “With that record-breaking heat out there, it couldn’t have come at a better time.”
She noted that studies have shown music calms animals in stressful environments. The donated, integrated sound system will primarily play reggae music, the genre found to provide the most benefit.
“Classical was a close second,” Renner said. “So, when you’re walking through the kennels and you hear Bob Marley, now you know why.”
Scott said officials have increased their efforts to find dogs a home through the Canine Commissioner program. Each board member takes turns selecting a dog from the shelter and then brings it to a park for a photo shoot and activities.
The county posts the pictures online and “voila, the dogs get adopted,” Scott said. “It’s a great program, and I hope we can continue that for a long time to come.”
In May 2024, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office uncovered that a decapitated dog, Dexter, found at Fort De Soto Park, was recently adopted from animal services. A jury found Domingo Rodriguez guilty of animal cruelty in February, and a judge sentenced him to one year and 60 days in jail.
Chaney subsequently sponsored “Dexter’s Law,” which enhances penalties for aggravated animal cruelty and establishes a registry for abusers. Scott presented her with a ceremonial key to the county to commemorate those efforts.
“I can tell you that the entirety of the county commission is very committed and dedicated to making sure we provide the best services we can for our animals,” Scott said. “Animal welfare is extremely important to all of us.”
For more information on adoptions, visit the website here.
