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PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
SUBSTITUTE TO ITEM 14-2408 (INTRODUCED 4/9/2014)
THE COOK COUNTY COMPANION ANIMAL AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, Pet stores selling live animals have traditionally been a sales outlet for young dogs, cats, and rabbits bred commercially in puppy mills, kitten mills, and rabbit mills both within the United States and abroad; and
WHEREAS, according to the Humane Society of the United States, it is estimated that 10,000 puppy mills produce more than 2,400,000 puppies a year in the United States and that nearly all pet store puppies, kittens and many pet store rabbits come from puppy, kitten and rabbit mills, respectively; and
WHEREAS, puppy mills are mass-breeding facilities that churn out puppies with an emphasis on profit over welfare. These mills usually house dogs in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, food, water and socialization. Puppy mill dogs do not get to experience treats, toys, exercise or basic grooming; and
WHEREAS, the inhumane conditions in puppy and kitten mill facilities lead to health and behavioral issues as well as congenital and hereditary illness and disease. Puppy mill puppies often arrive in pet stores and their new homes with various diseases including giardia, parvovirus kennel cough, heartworm and distemper. These diseases can lead to excessive veterinary costs both upfront and down the line; and
WHEREAS, rabbits are often treated inhumanely in the breeding mills and because rabbits can multiply every 28 days, rabbit mills are particularly prone to problems of overcrowding. These animals are often viewed as disposable, and after the Easter holiday it's estimated that as many as 80% of rabbits sold as Easter or springtime pets are abandoned by their owners; and
WHEREAS, the lack of enforcement resources at local, state and federal levels allow many inhumane puppy, kitten, and rabbit mills to operate with impunity. According to a spokesm...
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