Why St. Petersburg is One of the Nation's Most Dog Friendly Cities

After attending USF St. Petersburg for over four years and exploring the surrounding city, my friends and I developed a game called “baby or dog.” We’ve learned that, in this city, carriages are used just as much for dogs as for babies, and we like to bet money on it.

It’s an element of St. Petersburg that we laugh about, but it’s also representative of a fundamental part of the city’s culture — its dog-friendliness.

According to data collected by WalletHub, St. Petersburg is the 11th most dog-friendly city in the nation.

Even as one of the largest metropolitan areas in Florida, dogs in the Sunshine City are hardly ever an afterthought. Many city amenities are intentionally designed to cater to them, making it easy for their owners to integrate their fur-babies into their daily lives seamlessly.

The phrase “dog-friendly” sounds good on paper, but doesn’t always translate to a city’s infrastructure or values. In St. Petersburg, however, the title is somewhat earned, and we can tell you why.

Let’s jump into why St. Petersburg is one of the nation’s most dog-friendly cities.

What “Dog-Friendly” Is and What It Isn’t

Sometimes cities or businesses toe the line between dog-friendliness and tolerance. In the pet world, those can mean vastly different things and can impact your dog’s comfort.

What dog-tolerance looks like:

• Your dog is only allowed in very specific, restrictive areas, often outdoors, with no provisions for them to hydrate, move around, or comfortably relax.

• The space and/or staff make you feel like you’re inconveniencing people by bringing your dog.

• Rules and policies are enforced regarding dog breed and weight.

• Ultimately, dogs are allowed within the space, but their experience is not valued as much as the human’s.

A truly dog-friendly place feels completely different. It looks like:

• Water bowls available or provided

• Staff who greet you and your dog

• Shaded outdoor areas

• Items specifically for dogs, such as treats or toys, to enhance their experience

• Plenty of space (preferably green) and amenities to sit, roam, play, or take a break

• A general sense that your dog belongs there

In a truly dog-friendly area, you and your dog are not treated as nuisances. If you cannot tell if a place is dog-tolerant or friendly, focus on how you and your dog feel. Here is a checklist you can use as a guide.

• Do you feel like an annoyance with your dog in this area?

• Does your dog seem anxious or overstimulated?

• Are you constantly checking for signs of discomfort in others around you?

• Do you feel like you are being watched or stared at?

• Do you think your dog can stay in this area or space for an extended period of time without feeling discomfort?

While a dog-tolerant space is not necessarily a bad thing, you and your dog deserve a place where you can spend quality time together and relax without difficulty.

How St. Pete Gets It Right

As many residents put it, there’s an ease to having a dog in St. Petersburg.

“There are always events going on that you can bring your dog to,” St. Petersburg resident Rylee Clark said.

Clark has been living with her Australian Shepherd, named Radley, in St. Petersburg for almost two years. She said that while the most urban parts of the city don't offer a lot of green spaces compared to suburban neighborhoods, dog-friendly events in the city — like the Saturday Morning Market where we met — are a plus.

For Clark, St. Petersburg’s proximity to the beaches, specifically beaches designated for dogs, allows Radley the space and opportunity to breathe.

“Part of the city’s charm (for dogs and their humans) is its accommodating infrastructure: A walkable downtown, trails and paths that stretch for miles, and parks and beaches where dogs can gallivant.”

“Crescent Lake Park is amazing, even Lassing [Park] is really nice,” Lauren Forester told me while holding her seven-month-old Miniature Dachshund, named Finley.

Forester, much like Clark, loves taking her dog to St. Petersburg’s dog beaches, her favorite being Fort de Soto Beach.

“Yeah, that’s the best one,” Forester said.

But beyond the infrastructure, it’s the city’s culture she appreciates.

“It is the most dog-friendly,” said Forester, who has lived in St. Petersburg her whole life. “I think I have traveled a lot with him. There are cafes, restaurants, and TJ Maxx.”

Kenny Garcia, who has a one-year-old Great Dane named Louie, said that St. Petersburg is top-tier when it comes to dog-friendliness.

“There are always water bowls, out and about. People are very gracious when you want to come in and order some food,” he said.

Dogs are a very integral part of living in St. Petersburg, and Garcia, who owns a local bar, wants to continue to foster that.

“That's probably [Louie’s] favorite place to play and to hang out,” Garcia said about his bar. “Dogs bring great energy — bring people together.”

The Best Places in St. Petersburg for Your Dog

Third spaces are not reserved for humans in St. Petersburg. Along with its parks and beaches, the city is home to over a dozen specialized bars and cafes. Here is a (non-exhaustive) guide to the best third spaces in St. Petersburg for your dog.

Parks

• Vinoy Park

• North/South Straub Park
• Lassing Park
• North Shore Park
• Abercombie Park
• Walter Fuller Park
• Crescent Lake Park
• Pioneer Park
• Demens Landing Park
• Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

Beaches

• Fort de Soto Beach (A Radley favorite)

• Pass-a-grille Beach
• Gandy Beach

Dog-friendly Bars, Restaurants, and Cafes

• The Dog Bar

• Mutts and Martinis (A Finley favorite)
• Three Daughters Brewing
• Black Crow Coffee
• Two Shepherds Taproom
• The Library Restaurant
• Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille
• Pete's Bagels

The Best Places on USF St. Pete’s Campus for Your Dog

USF St. Petersburg has fully embraced the city’s dog-friendly culture. Alongside the campus’s infrastructure, which is integrated into the city, the campus also has its own community of dogs.

The most recognizable, of course, is Snowbird, the USF St. Petersburg Police Department’s Therapy K-9. The campus also has a student organization known as the Puppy Love Club, which partners with Dogs Inc. to pair guide-dogs-in-training with students.

“All the people in our group always kind of joke that being in St. Pete is an awesome place for the dogs because there's always lots of distractions and lots of like just different kinds of training opportunities,” President of the Puppy Love Club, Irena Mesa, said.

“It's also kind of good for just normal pet dogs, especially for younger dogs,” she added. “Being out and about with other dogs, other people, you know, that helps them be not aggressive and, more well-rounded, more social, more friendly.”

The Campus specifically has many places suited for dogs. Snowbird, in particular, loves the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library. Aside from the fact that his handler’s — Officer Mark Lickenfelt — office is in the library, it is an accommodating environment for a dog. The carpeted floors make it easy for dogs of all ages to walk, and there is plenty of space for relaxation (or even a bit of roughhousing, which I didn't tell you). 

Here are some of the best dog-friendly areas of the St. Petersburg campus.

• Harborwalk and lawn

• Bayboro Harbor (A Snowbird favorite)
• Poynter Park
• The Grind/Tavern

Come See for Yourself

If you're a dog lover, USF St. Pete might be your ideal campus. We invite you to schedule a guided tour! While you’re here, check out some of the aforementioned spots in St. Petersburg, as well as the greater Tampa Bay area. You will most likely run into a furry friend or two while you explore.