We are a multi-generational household in Bloomington, IL, blessed with a spacious home and a well-fenced yard, where our animals are more than just pets — they are family. Our animals are meticulously groomed, fed, and regularly checked by a vet, assuring both their health and happiness. Yet, when we considered adopting another deserving animal from a shelter, we found ourselves stopped in our tracks by ambiguous regulations that prioritize numbers over the quality and responsibility of pet ownership.

The current City Code of Bloomington, IL lacks clarity concerning the permissible number of animals per household. While it states that kennels are prohibited within city limits, the phrase "3 dogs or 3 cats" has been misinterpreted to mean a household can own no more than 3 animals in total. In contrast, our neighboring community of Normal clearly mandates a limit of 3 animals per species, allowing more pets to live in loving homes without overcrowding any individual.

This misunderstanding of the law keeps loving and capable families from offering care to animals in need. By clarifying or removing the limit put on pet ownership, we can ensure that more animals find caring homes without compromising the community's standards of animal care.

Our proposed solution is straightforward: align Bloomington's regulations with those of Normal, allowing for a reasonable quota that considers the quality of the household, or removing such arbitrary limitations altogether. This change would allow responsible pet owners, like us, to open our homes to more animals who need love and care.

Let's come together as a community that values compassion and the welfare of animals as much as our own. Please sign this petition to urge the Bloomington city council to amend its pet ownership regulations. It's time to take action for the sake of the animals who deserve a chance to live in nurturing, responsible homes.