SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Cristina Castro (D- Elgin) passed a new law to put an end to the demand for pets from inhumane breeding operations by requiring pet stores to source their animals from rescue shelters.

“This law is an important step to making sure animals in our state are treated compassionately from when their bred onwards, and I am ready to keep working to rid Illinois of puppy mills entirely,” Castro said.  “Reducing the demand for cheap, inhumanely bred puppies by prohibiting pet shops from getting puppies from these kinds of operations was a top priority as we continue our work.”

Puppy mills are facilities that breed dogs in an intensive and inhumane way. In these establishments, dogs and puppies are often kept in dirty and unsafe kennel conditions and not provided with proper veterinary or behavioral care. Some pet stores choose to source from these kinds of operations.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, only 6% of dogs and 3% of cats are purchased through pet stores, meaning that many opt to get their pets directly from a breeder or an animal shelter. The new law puts an end to pet shops sourcing their animals from inhumane breeding operations by requiring them to only sell dogs and cats sourced from animal shelters.

House Bill 1711 was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday and takes effect in six months.