PHOENIX (CBS5) -
Maricopa County health inspectors are cracking down on Valley pet shops and grooming centers not keeping things clean.
Just scan the internet and you'll find as assortment of disturbing pictures from pet stores, where animals are neglected and facilities are full of filth.
"Your animal is your family member so you want to make sure that wherever they're going is a good clean place for them," said Phoenix dog owner Anne McLain
David Morales is an environmental health specialist supervisor with Maricopa County.
Morales said that a lot of people don't realize that his department cracks down on pet shops, just like the crackdown on restaurants not keeping a clean kitchen.
"There are certain provisions within the code to make sure places are sanitary," Morales said. "Cages made of appropriate material for cleaning and sanitation, so we can protect animals. Our overall goal is to protect public health."
One place that appears to be doing things right when it comes to cleanliness is the Wag N' Wash in Phoenix.
Owner Rich Strauss said that one of their keys to success is that customers know their dog or cat is in good hands.
"I can tell you from our point of view, that is what it is all about for us," Strauss said. "The store has to be cleaned, look nice and has to be well stocked and well fronted. It would be a real shame if a place was not kept up to par and up to standards."
Some of the most common violations are cross contamination of drinking water, cages and cleaning surfaces not clean and incorrect bookkeeping records, according to inspectors.
Morales said that pet shops and grooming centers are inspected at least once a year.
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