Sarasota is a haven for pet lovers, offering a wide range of pet-friendly amenities, from beautiful parks and beaches to top-notch veterinary services and welcoming restaurants. Whether you're looking for off-leash play areas, pet-friendly dining, or veterinary care, Sarasota has plenty to offer.
Parks: Dog Parks & Pet-Friendly Green Spaces
Sarasota boasts an array of parks where pets are welcome, including off-leash dog parks known as "Paw Parks" and scenic on-leash trails. While dogs are required to be leashed in most public parks (maximum six feet), designated areas allow for free roaming under supervision. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
- 17th Street Paw Park (4570 17th St, Sarasota, FL 34235): This spacious off-leash park has separate areas for large and small dogs, agility equipment, water stations, benches, and picnic tables. It is a popular destination and undergoes maintenance every Tuesday from 5 AM to 11 AM.
- Arlington Paw Park (2650 Waldemere St, Sarasota, FL 34239): A repurposed ball field turned into a fenced dog park, offering separate sections for small and large dogs, double-gated entries, water fountains, and seating.
- Lakeview Paw Park (7150 Lago St, Sarasota, FL 34241): A shaded off-leash area with a combined entry for small and large dogs, water stations, and nearby restrooms. Adjacent to Lakeview Park, it offers on-leash trails around a lake.
- Canine Club at Gillespie Park (710 N. Osprey Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236): Located in downtown Sarasota, this fenced dog park features shade structures, drinking fountains, and seating areas. Outside the off-leash section, leashed dogs can enjoy Gillespie Park’s 10 acres of green space.
- Bayfront Park (5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236): Though not an off-leash park, this waterfront park provides paved walking paths and scenic views of Sarasota Bay for leashed dogs.
- Bird Key Park (200 John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota, FL 34236): A pet-friendly bayfront park with walking paths and a small shell beach area where leashed dogs can enjoy the water.
- Urfer Family Park (4012 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34233): A large community park with paved trails, open fields, and dog-friendly amenities, including water fountains and shaded picnic areas.
- The Legacy Trail (Multiple trailheads, Sarasota to Venice): This 10+ mile paved trail is ideal for leashed dog walking, with rest stops featuring water stations.
Services: Pet Care & Pet-Friendly Businesses
Sarasota offers an array of veterinary clinics, grooming centers, and pet-friendly businesses catering to pet owners’ needs.
- Suncoast Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center (4937 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231): A 24-hour emergency animal hospital offering advanced care.
- BluePearl Pet Hospital (7414 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231): A 24/7 emergency and specialty pet hospital with advanced veterinary services.
- University Animal Clinic (7250 S. Canon Dr., Sarasota, FL 34240): A full-service veterinary clinic specializing in preventive care and general medicine.
- Animal Clinic of the Humane Society of Sarasota County (2331 15th St, Sarasota, FL 34237): A nonprofit veterinary clinic offering affordable pet healthcare.
For grooming, boarding, and daycare services:
- ACE Pet Resort (7950 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241): A luxury pet boarding and daycare facility with spacious play areas and grooming services.
- Bayside Pet Resort (8154 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243): A high-end pet boarding, daycare, and grooming facility with multiple locations in the area.
- Pawsh Boutique & Spa (3212 Southgate Circle, Sarasota, FL 34239): A luxury grooming spa offering stress-free, one-on-one grooming sessions.
- Dog World Sarasota (8111 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243): A full-service pet care center with daycare, grooming, training, and boarding options.
Pet-Friendly Restaurants
Many Sarasota restaurants accommodate pets on their outdoor patios, where well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.
- Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood. (1435 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236): A seafood restaurant with pet-friendly outdoor seating.
- Tijuana Flats (3404 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231): A Tex-Mex eatery with a dog-friendly patio and casual ambiance.
- Lucky Pelican Bistro (6239 Lake Osprey Dr, Sarasota, FL 34240): A seafood restaurant in Lakewood Ranch with outdoor seating for pets.
- The Old Salty Dog (1601 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236): A waterfront bar and grill that welcomes dogs on its outdoor deck.
- Boatyard Waterfront Bar & Grill (1500 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231): A waterfront restaurant with dog-friendly patio seating by Little Sarasota Bay.
- Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar (300 John Ringling Blvd #137, Sarasota, FL 34236): A tropical-themed restaurant with a spacious pet-friendly patio.
- Crab & Fin (420 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236): An upscale seafood spot with a pet-welcoming outdoor seating area.
Dog-Friendly Beaches & Shoreline Parks
While Sarasota’s city beaches do not allow dogs, a few nearby shoreline spots are pet-friendly.
- Brohard Paw Park & Dog Beach (1600 Harbor Dr. S., Venice, FL 34285): Sarasota County’s only off-leash beach, featuring fenced areas leading to a dog-friendly stretch of sand and surf.
- Bird Key Park (200 John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota, FL 34236): A waterfront park where leashed dogs can enjoy the shoreline.
- De Soto National Memorial (8300 Desoto Memorial Hwy, Bradenton, FL 34209): A pet-friendly historical site with trails and a small sandy beach.
- Blackburn Point Park (800 Blackburn Point Rd, Osprey, FL) & Indian Mound Park (210 Winson Ave, Englewood, FL): Both parks allow leashed dogs along scenic shorelines.
Pet Regulations & Tips
Sarasota County enforces leash laws and pet waste regulations to keep parks and beaches clean and safe. While off-leash areas exist, owners must ensure pets are well-behaved and under control at all times. Violators of pet regulations may face fines, so be sure to adhere to posted rules when exploring Sarasota’s pet-friendly spaces.
With its numerous pet-friendly parks, services, and dining options, Sarasota provides the perfect environment for pet owners to enjoy quality time with their furry companions.
Find the Perfect Pet-Friendly Home in Sarasota
Sarasota’s wealth of pet-friendly parks, beaches, and amenities makes it an ideal place for pet owners to call home. Whether you’re looking for a spacious backyard, proximity to dog-friendly beaches, or a neighborhood with pet-friendly parks, finding the right home is key to creating the perfect lifestyle for you and your furry companions.
The
Kepecz-Hays Team specializes in Sarasota real estate and can help you find a home that meets both your needs and those of your pets. Contact them today to explore the best pet-friendly properties in Sarasota and discover a home where you and your pets can thrive.
