This is the last week for the Illinois Senate to vote on Senate bills and send them to the House of Representatives. Among the bills expected to be considered is one that will impose a number of new requirements on anyone who is licensed as a dog breeder in the state – which could include imposing some commercial standards on private homes.
Senate Bill 2990 in part amends the definition of “dog dealer”, and that is the focus of many of the supporters. However, AKC’s concerns are limited to many of the bill’s new care and housing requirements for dog breeders. It imposes “one size fits all” commercial-style requirements on dog breeders, regardless of breed, size, or setting. Under Illinois law, a dog breeder is anyone who possesses more than 5 female dogs capable of reproduction.
Take Action
It is imperative that you both message and call your State Senator TODAY:
- Illinois residents can click here to send a message directly to your State Senator.
- Call your State Senator’s office. You can find your Senator HERE.
- Ask them to oppose SB 2990 as currently written.
- Briefly explain that you support strong animal welfare laws, but this bill’s one-size-fits-all commercial requirements are not appropriate for many responsible home and small-scale breeders.
Talking Points
- SB 2990 imposes rigid, uniform standards for primary enclosures and flooring, including a fixed space formula based only on a dog’s body length and prescriptive flooring requirements that do not recognize alternative safe housing methods for diverse dog breeds.
- These “one size fits all” structural standards are geared toward large commercial facilities and fail to account for the many safe, responsible ways dogs are housed and managed in home-based and small breeding programs. If you are a home-based breeder licensed by the state, discuss how the new standards would impact your ability to breed and raise dogs.
- The bill also requires all adult dogs to have “constant, unfettered access” to an exercise area at least twice the size of their primary enclosure, which can be unsafe when dogs of different breeds, sizes, ages, and temperaments are forced to share the same space. It conflicts with responsible practices that separate dogs by size, sex, age, compatibility, or health and that rely on supervised or rotated exercise, multiple runs, and individualized management to best protect dog welfare.
- It requires primary enclosures to be no lower than 45 degrees F, or higher than 85 degrees, unless recommended by a veterinarian for “a specific, documents medical purpose.” This does not account for the needs of individual dogs, or breeds that may not be best suited for temperatures permitted in the bill.
AKC Government Relations will continue to closely monitor this bill and all legislation impacting dog owners in Illinois. For questions, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.