01 · Pets
Pet-Friendly Guide
The Gulf Coast is an incredibly pet-friendly destination. From dedicated dog beaches to restaurants with water bowls waiting, your furry family members will love it here as much as you do.
01 · Pets · Venice
Pet-Friendly Venice Guide
Venice is one of the Gulf Coast's most dog-friendly towns, anchored by Brohard Paw Park, the only dog-friendly beach in Sarasota County: off-leash sand and a fenced play yard, city hours 7 a.m. to dusk. Add miles of dog-friendly paved trails and you have a town built for the whole pack.
Pet Friendly · Venice
Pet Friendly Venice
Venice is one of the Gulf Coast's most dog-friendly towns, anchored by the county's only dog beach. Venice facilities come first below, then nearby Nokomis and Osprey, then regional options.
Brohard Paw Park
The only dog-friendly beach in Sarasota County, off-leash in the designated beach and fenced play yard, city hours 7 a.m. to dusk, free parking, dog showers, waste bags, restrooms adjacent; South Brohard beside it is humans only.
City facility pageVenetian Waterway Park
Dog waste stations and a dog water station along the trail.
City parks pageLegacy Trail
Dog-friendly, leash rules as posted.
Friends of the Legacy Trail02 · Dog Parks
Dog Parks by Community
Each community reads local first, then nearby, then regional. Every card notes its verified leash rules, so an off-leash fenced park, the off-leash dog beach, an on-leash dog-friendly area and a private community park are never confused.
Sarasota Local
LocalOff-leash fenced dog parks in Sarasota, plus on-leash dog-friendly parks.
Arlington Park Dog Park
Sarasota Off-leash fenced2650 Waldemere St, Sarasota FL 34239
City of Sarasota off-leash dog park at the Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex with separate fenced areas for large and small dogs (small dogs 20 lbs or less), each with its own water station.
Leash rules
Off-leash only inside the fenced dog park.
17th Street Paw Park
Sarasota Off-leash fenced4570 & 4730 17th St, Sarasota FL 34235
Sarasota County off-leash dog park, the county’s largest at about two acres, with separate fenced areas and double-gated entries for small and large dogs.
Leash rules
Off-leash only inside the fenced dog park.
Lakeview Paw Park
Sarasota Off-leash fenced7150 Lago St, Sarasota FL 34241
Sarasota County off-leash dog park at Lakeview Park, east of I-75 in Sarasota.
Leash rules
Off-leash only inside the fenced dog park.
Bird Key Park
Sarasota On-leash dog-friendly200 John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota FL 34236
A small bayside park on the John Ringling Causeway where leashed dogs are welcome for a walk.
Leash rules
Dogs on leash at all times; no off-leash area.
Bayfront Park
Sarasota On-leash dog-friendly5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota FL 34236
A bayside park on Sarasota Bay, popular for walking a leashed pet along the waterfront.
Leash rules
Dogs on leash throughout the park, not inside the children’s fountain area.
Nearby
NearbyVerified dog parks and the county’s only dog beach in Osprey, Nokomis and Venice, a short drive south.
Bay Street Park Dog Park
Osprey Off-leash fenced300 Bay St, Osprey FL 34229
Sarasota County off-leash dog park in Osprey with separate large and small fenced areas, dog exercise equipment, drinking fountains and shade.
Leash rules
Off-leash only inside the fenced dog park.
Milano Dog Park
Nokomis Private community parkJacaranda Blvd, Nokomis FL 34275
A fenced community dog park inside the gated Milano community with separate small and large dog areas. It is private and residents-only, so it is not a public visitor option.
Leash rules
Residents only inside the gated Milano community; not open to the public.
Brohard Paw Park
Venice Off-leash dog beach1850 Harbor Dr S, Venice FL 34285
The only off-leash dog beach in Sarasota County, at Venice Beach. A fenced Paw Park with separate small and large dog sections leading to the off-leash beach section, dog showers, drinking fountains for dogs, a boardwalk to the beach with wheelchair-accessible access, litter receptacles, restrooms in adjacent Maxine Barritt Park and free parking. Open daily about 7 a.m. to dusk. Adjacent to the Venice Fishing Pier.
Leash rules
Off-leash inside the fenced Paw Park and the designated beach section; dogs on leash outside those areas.
Woodmere Paw Park
Venice Off-leash fenced3951 Woodmere Park Blvd, Venice FL 34293
Sarasota County off-leash dog park inside Woodmere Park with separate small and large dog areas, shade structures, benches and water stations.
Leash rules
Off-leash only inside the fenced dog park.
Regional
RegionalDog-friendly green space beyond the immediate area.
Robinson Preserve
Bradenton On-leash dog-friendly1704 99th St NW, Bradenton FL 34209
Manatee County preserve with dog-friendly trails and open fields. Leash required; no fenced off-leash area.
Leash rules
Dogs on leash on the trails and open fields; not a fenced off-leash park.
Laurie Crawford Dog Park
Bradenton Off-leash fenced2802 51st St W, Bradenton FL 34209
Manatee County off-leash dog park in West Bradenton with separate small and large dog areas.
Leash rules
Off-leash only inside the fenced dog park.
Palma Sola Causeway
Bradenton Dog-friendly shore11700 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton FL 34209
The closest dog-friendly beach shore to Bradenton, where dogs may swim and run along the causeway park shoreline.
Leash rules
Dogs welcome along the causeway park shoreline; keep dogs under control and clean up after them.
03 · Dog Beaches
Pet-Friendly Beaches
Dog rules run by county, not by beach, so this guide states them by jurisdiction. The one guaranteed dog beach in Sarasota County is Brohard Paw Park in Venice. A few bayside parks welcome dogs on leash. Service animals follow applicable law on every beach.
Sarasota County
Dogs are permitted on no county beaches except Brohard Paw Park in Venice, the only off-leash dog beach in the county, open daily 7 a.m. to dusk with separate small and large fenced sections. City beaches at Lido (Sarasota) and Venice Beach also prohibit dogs.
Manatee County
No pets are permitted on any Manatee County beaches, including Coquina Beach, Manatee Beach and the rest of Anna Maria Island.
Lee County
Leashed dogs are allowed at Bowditch Point Park on Fort Myers Beach and on most Sanibel beaches year round; the Lee County Dog Beach area is the off-leash option. Keep current rules confirmed on official sources, as they are subject to change.
Pinellas County
Fort De Soto Park has an off-leash dog park beach and the fenced PAW Playground dog park (separate large and small areas). Dogs must be leashed (max 6-foot leash, some sources say 8-foot) everywhere else in the park except the main human beaches.
Off-Leash Dog Beach
The only one in Sarasota CountyBrohard Beach & Paw Park
VeniceAllowed: Off-leash in the fenced Paw Park and the designated beach section
The only off-leash dog beach in Sarasota County, at Venice Beach. A fenced Paw Park with separate small and large dog sections leading to the off-leash beach section, dog showers, drinking fountains for dogs, a boardwalk to the beach with wheelchair-accessible access, restrooms in adjacent Maxine Barritt Park and free parking. Open daily about 7 a.m. to dusk. Adjacent to the Venice Fishing Pier. Some sources cite the entrance at 1600 Harbor Dr S.
1850 Harbor Dr S, Venice FL 34285
On-Leash Dog-Friendly Parks
On-leash onlyBird Key Park
Sarasota
Allowed: On leash at all times
A small bayside park on the John Ringling Causeway where leashed dogs are welcome for a walk.
200 John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota FL 34236
Bayfront Park
Sarasota
Allowed: On leash at all times
A bayside park on Sarasota Bay, popular for walking a leashed pet along the waterfront.
5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota FL 34236
Dogs are not permitted on the other public beaches. Sarasota County permits dogs on no county beaches except Brohard Paw Park in Venice, the only off-leash dog beach in the county, open daily 7 a.m. to dusk with separate small and large fenced sections. Manatee County, home of Anna Maria Island and Coquina Beach, permits no pets on any of its beaches. Lee County is different: Bowditch Point and most Sanibel beaches allow leashed dogs, and the Lee County Dog Beach area is off-leash. Pinellas is different again: Fort De Soto has an off-leash dog park beach and the fenced PAW Playground, with dogs leashed everywhere else in the park. Trained service animals follow applicable law on every beach.
04 · Dining
Pet-Friendly Restaurants & Patios
Owen's Fish Camp
Sarasota
Covered outdoor patio
Outdoor patio seating is dog-friendly; a water station and dog bowls are provided.
516 Burns Ct, Sarasota FL 34236
The Cottage
Sarasota
Pet-friendly garden seating
Garden patio tables are dog-friendly; confirm the current patio policy when you book.
153 Avenida Messina, Sarasota FL 34242
Arts & Eats Cafe
Sarasota
Front porch seating
Front porch seating is dog-friendly; treats are available.
1355 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota FL 34236
Pop's Sunset Grill
Nokomis
Waterfront deck
Dogs are welcome on the outdoor deck overlooking the Intracoastal; call ahead to confirm.
112 Circuit Rd, Nokomis FL 34275
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe
Anna Maria Island
Beach-level deck seating
Dogs are welcome on the beach-level deck; the island beaches themselves do not allow dogs.
4000 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach FL 34217
The Old Salty Dog
Venice
Outdoor patio seating
Outdoor patio seating is dog-friendly; patio policies change, so call ahead to confirm.
1485 S Tamiami Trail, Venice FL 34285
Sharky's on the Pier
Venice
Outdoor deck by the pier
Outdoor seating by the Venice Fishing Pier is dog-friendly; call ahead to confirm.
1600 Harbor Dr S, Venice FL 34285
Back Eddy Bistro
Venice
Outdoor seating
Outdoor seating is dog-friendly; call ahead to confirm the current policy.
239 W Miami Ave, Venice FL 34285
Joey D's Chicago Style Eatery and Pizza
Venice
Outdoor patio seating
Outdoor patio seating is dog-friendly; call ahead to confirm.
750 US 41 Bypass N, Venice FL 34285
Dockside Waterfront Grill
Venice
Waterfront outdoor seating
Outdoor waterfront seating is dog-friendly; call ahead to confirm.
509 N Tamiami Trail, Venice FL 34285
Made in Italy
Venice
Outdoor seating
Outdoor seating is dog-friendly; call ahead to confirm.
117 W Venice Ave, Venice FL 34285
First Watch Venice
Venice
Outdoor patio seating
Outdoor patio seating is dog-friendly; call ahead to confirm.
1617 US 41 Bypass S, Venice FL 34293
05 · Veterinarians
Veterinarians & Emergency Clinics
Regular practices below keep normal business hours; after-hours and weekend emergencies should go to a 24/7 emergency hospital. Only facilities verified as open around the clock are marked 24/7.
Venice Pines Veterinary Clinic
Venice
Regular practiceRoutine and preventive care with normal business hours. For after-hours emergencies, call one of the 24/7 emergency hospitals below.
1168 Indian Hills Blvd, Venice FL 34293
Veterinary Care of Venice
Venice
Regular practiceRoutine and preventive care with normal business hours. After-hours emergencies go to the emergency hospitals below.
1080 E Venice Ave, Venice FL 34285
BluePearl Pet Hospital
Sarasota
24/7 EmergencyTrue 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital, open nights, weekends and holidays.
7414 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34231
Veterinary Emergency Clinic Sarasota
Sarasota
24/7 Emergency24-hour emergency and critical care for the Sarasota area.
4937 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34231
Animal ER of University Park
Bradenton
24/7 Emergency24-hour emergency hospital for Bradenton, University Park, Lakewood Ranch and northern Manatee County.
8237 Cooper Creek Blvd, Bradenton FL 34201
Veterinary Emergency Clinic Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte
24/7 Emergency24-hour emergency and critical care for Charlotte County and the southern communities.
17829 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte FL 33948
06 · Services
Grooming, Boarding & More
Grooming
Sarasota
316 S Washington Blvd, Sarasota FL 34236
Bradenton
624 14th St W, Bradenton FL 34205
Boarding & Sitting
Training
Bradenton
1102 16th St W, Bradenton FL 34205
Pet Stores
07 · Events
Local Pet Events
- Check Venice MainStreet and city community calendars for seasonal pet parades and dog-friendly downtown events.
- Sarasota and Manatee county parks and community centers host occasional adoption events and pet showcases; dates vary, so confirm on official calendars.
- Many pet-friendly restaurants and breweries host seasonal Yappy Hours; check each venue's own calendar.
- Farmers markets in Sarasota and Bradenton generally allow leashed dogs; confirm each market's pet policy before you go.
- Local shelters and rescue groups run adoption events throughout the year; see shelter listings for current dates.
Moving with Pets?
A Home Your Pets Will Love
Michael can help you find a home with a fenced yard, close to dog parks and pet-friendly beaches. Your family includes your pets, and your home should too.
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