new law in illinois
 

anyone see this:

A new state law, which is to go into effect January 1st, will hopefully diminish the number of puppy mills and unlicensed breeding facilities in Illinois.

By the start of 2011, pet stores and animal shelters will be required to post the history of their dogs and cats that will include the name and address of the animal's breeders, a record of their medical conditions, including vet treatments and vaccinations, any hereditary defects, as well as the animal's parents, date of birth, and breed.

The information must be signed by both the customer and the pet shop before the sell or adoption can be finalized.

Some critics, however, are saying that the new law won't really help because it doesn't protect pets and potential pet owners from "Basement Pirates," which are unlicensed people who sell animals illegally out of their basements at highway stops.

"If you pick up the classifieds, you will find 10 of these. Those guys aren’t going to be affected by (the law)," says pet shop owner Greg Gordon.

It's a step in the right direction to help stop puppy mills, however more definitely needs to be done.

Potential pet owners should always do extensive research before adopting.

I had not heard of this. I am a firm believe any step, NO matter how small, is worth it if it protects animals. Thanks for posting. :)

This makes no sense.....how is a shelter supposed to have all of that information? I can see how a pet shop should have it but shelters take dogs and cats from many different situations and most of the time that information simply isn't available. Where does this leave strays that are picked up? Does this mean they can never be adopted?

I would think the shelters would have to post any info they did have. Any info from the shelter vet would have to be disclosed. I do not know what the policy on that is now.

Here is more info to explain:
Governor Pat Quinn signed House Bill 5772 (Public Act 96-1470) into law last August. It requires pet stores, animal shelters and animal controls to disclose the following information on or near an animal’s cage:

• Retail price, including additional charges
• Breed, age, date of birth, sex and color of the dog or cat
• Details of vaccinations and health history
• Name, address and identification number of the breeder
• Details of any inoculation or medical treatment received while at the facility

Consumers also must receive a copy of the information at the time of purchase. The law recognizes animal shelters and animal controls, which often care for strays, may not possess an animal’s complete medical history and allows them to estimate some information.

I've mentioned this legslation in the past and find it to be a step in the right direction. Pet shops are big business and there are plenty in my area selling to unsuspecting consumers.

Recently, I tried explain to two different people that just because there "Jane Smith" is the name on the paperwork that was given to you does not mean that it's not a puppymill. You know the look with the big glazed over eyes? That was the response to my comment~followed by "no she's a breeder I saw her name". Shortly after that conversation same pet shop different person purchased the saddest looking mess of a Bull Mastiff and she said they went to the breeders home. :confused: The puppy is now over a year old, is afraid of everything, the ears do not sit properly on his head, he has bad hip.......it's just sad and every time I see him my heart just aches. Same store, friend who is a groomer...she argued that their puppies didn't come from a mill but a local breeder. :rolleyes: At Christmas when the store was closed for days they had the employees take home the puppies to care for while the store was closed for the holiday. Makes we wonder if it might have been an employee's home that they went to visit? Just very sneaky way of doing business.

I guess the point of my rambling is that the if the consumer is savvy enough to take that information home and put it into a Google search to see where the puppies came from this law will be very helpful. If it deters even a few from making that purchase it will be a step in the right direction. Maybe those people will begin to spread the word. Only time will tell.

:confused:WHAT? That is one of the silliest things I have ever heard. Just seems like a lot of work and responsibility to ask of your employees. And during the holidays, a time when people are in and out quite a bit, visititors and possibly visiting dogs. Very sneaky indeed.

I like this law...I hope to see how it goes in IL, hope it would be national...it makes complete sense to me that even animal control would have to disclose any known information, I'm seeing that as the point, disclosure of all known information...why only pet stores though...too bad it doesn't apply to breeders...