Illinois: Committee to Consider Repeal of Puppy Consumer Protection Laws on Thursday (2/20). Act Now!

The Illinois House Commerce and Economic Development Committee is scheduled to consider a bill, S 3078, on Thursday (February 20), that would repeal consumer protections for pet purchasers passed in 2017. The measure would further require that pet stores could sell only dogs from an animal shelter or rescue distributor/facility.

The current law – the “Illinois Safe Pets Act” – was passed in 2017 with support from the American Kennel Club, AKC’s state federation, and numerous other animal interest groups.  This law required that pet stores source only from USDA-licensed kennels that met specific standards and did not have any health or welfare violations.

Senate Bill 3078 would remove all these requirements that protect the health and welfare of dogs and enable consumers to know the health and background of the animal prior to sale.  Shelters would be required, however, to provide information on how the animal was obtained.

All Illinois residents and anyone who purchases a dog in Illinois are strongly encouraged to contact the committee and express your concerns with Senate Bill 3078.  Scroll down for information on how to contact the committee. 

Talking Points Against SB 3078:

• There is a belief that these bills will end substandard breeders. However, fewer than 4 percent of pets purchased in the US come from pet shops. These laws limit choice and will do little to address any issues associated with substandard breeders.

• SB 3078 will reduce the average person’s access and ability to choose a pet with the predictable type, mandated care, and substantiated health background that come with purebred pets from regulated sources.  Individuals who lack the resources or do not have access to private hobby breeders will be the most directly impacted.

For additional talking points, read AKC’s position statement on Pet Choice.

What You Can Do:

• Submit an online witness slip – Comments may be submitted directly to the committee by completing an online witness slip at this link. Select the bill you wish to comment on from the list and follow the online steps.  AKC recommends that they be submitted prior to the meeting, which begins at 9:00 am on February 20.
• Contact the members of the committee:

  Linda Holmes – Chair
  (217) 782-0422

  Sen. Ann Gillespie
  (217) 782-4471

  Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant
  (217) 782-0052

  Sen. Cristina Castro (Sponsor – HB 3078)
  (217) 782-7746

  Sen. Napoleon Harris III
  (217) 782-8066

  Sen. Michael Hastings
  (217) 782-9595

  Sen. Iris Martinez
  (217) 782-8191

  Sen. Laura Murphy
  (217) 782-3875
  laura@senatorlauramurphy.com

  Sen. Dale Fowler
  (217) 782-5509

  Sen. Neil Anderson
  (217) 782-5957
  senatorneilanderson@gmail.com

  Sen. Jim Oberweis
  (217) 782-0471
  senatoroberweis@gmail.com

For more information on this bill, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at doglaw@akc.org.