Chicago May Become Next City to Ban Puppy Mill Pet Sales

We always say that when it comes to pets, adopt don’t shop. That’s because animals in pet stores (most commonly, puppies) come from massive breeding operations called puppy mills. Puppy mills are a huge problem in the United States with the ASPCA estimating that there could be as many as 10,000 puppy mills in the U.S. where dogs are raised for a profit with little care for their basic needs.

It’s an incredibly sad fact that on top of puppy mills that breed dogs in inhumane conditions just to turn a profit, nearly 5,500 healthy and adoptable dogs die every day in shelters across the U.S.

Thankfully, some cities are taking a stand against this cruelty by banning puppy mill pet sales. So far, according to the Huffington Post, “San Diego, Phoenix and Los Angeles are among the major cities that have already moved to ban the sale of commercially-bred pets.” Many more across the country have similar legislation, and Best Friends Animal Society provides a guide to each of these. See if your city is on the list!

Now, Chicago may be the next major city to take the leap. City Clerk Susana Mendoza is introducing a measure later this month that would, “bar pet stores from selling dogs and cats not obtained from government-run animal facilities, humane societies or animal rescue organizations. Violators could be fined up to $1,000 a day or, in the case of repeat offenses, charged with a misdemeanor” via The Chicago Tribune.

This would be a great step toward ending the existence of puppy mills and focusing on adoption. If you live in Chicago please visit the City Clerk’s page and sign the petition in Support of this bill before the hearing on February 26. Signing the petition is a very simple way to help this bill and help animals. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on this legislation!

Image source: Bret McBain / Flickr