Thanks in part to the many calls from PAWS Chicago supporters, the Illinois state legislature unanimously passed a bill that strengthens disclosure requirements on all dogs or cats made available for adoption or sale by pet shop operators in Illinois pet stores, including adoptions or sales available over the internet.

Sponsored by Rep. Susana Mendoza, D-Chicago, and Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg, D-Evanston, and actively supported by Rep. Tom Cross R-Oswego, the bill requires pet stores to disclose information about the origination of all animals including the name and address of the breeder, a record of all veterinary conditions and treatments and information about congenital or hereditary defects of the animals’ parents. An acknowledgment of the disclosed information must be signed by the customer and an authorized representative of the pet shop before a sale can be finalized.

“Requiring the disclosure of a puppy or kitten’s origin and veterinary history will allow consumers to follow up with other important questions about the health of an animal or the type of breeding facility the animal was raised in before they add that animal to their family.”
-Sen. Schoenberg

Too many Illinois citizens have purchased puppies from pet stores only to find that their new best friend is terribly ill or even dying due to substandard breeding conditions and that they have inadvertently supported the cruel puppy mill industry,” said Rep. Mendoza. “This bill gives consumers basic information about where their puppy or kitten is coming from so that they can make an informed decision.”

The passing of the bill amends the Animal Welfare Act and Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and considers violations of the disclosure requirements as an unlawful practice.

This is terrific news for the thousands of dogs and cats who are often raised in mills – unlicensed dog and cat breeding facilities with substandard living and medical conditions – and are eventually sold, often with hidden diseases and illnesses, to unknowing consumers in pet stores.

“Requiring the disclosure of a puppy or kitten’s origin and veterinary history will allow consumers to follow up with other important questions about the health of an animal or the type of breeding facility the animal was raised in before they add that animal to their family,” said Sen. Schoenberg. “I’m pleased to have been able to pass a bill that protects families and encourages improved breeding conditions.”