A growing coalition of consumers & animal advocates are supporting the Companion Animal & Consumer Protection Ordinance which limits the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet shops to those sourced from shelters and other humane adoption centers. The Ordinance promotes the welfare of animals, protects consumers and will save City tax dollars by increasing animal adoptions and decreasing costs associated with euthanizations.

The Companion Animal & Consumer Protection Ordinance was successfully passed recently in Chicago. Susana A. Mendoza, Chicago City Clerk put it well when she stated:
“We pay dearly for failing to curb the sale of puppy mill animals. This legislation is going to save the lives of dogs and spare pet owners the heartache and cost of bringing a sick animal into their home. Also, I’m happy to say that this addresses a big challenge the City faces in terms of finding resources to care for strays and abandoned animals.”

You can back our ongoing efforts in support of animal welfare & consumer protection in Winnebago & Boone Counties by signing this petition in support of bringing the Companion Animal & Consumer Protection Ordinance here.

MORE THAN 45 CITIES HAVE ALREADY PASSED LEGISLATION TO PROTECT PETS & CONSUMERS
Los Angeles, San Diego, Austin, Texas, Toronto, Ontario and dozens of other communities have already enacted new laws and it’s time for us to join them.

This legislation is essential to protect our consumers who, for years, have not been told the truth about the origin or quality of the puppies sold in pet stores. Additionally, why are we bringing thousands of new puppies into this city each year from industrial breeding facilities when tens of thousands of dogs and cats are in our shelters and rescues at the city’s expense? This would be a win-win for Winnebago & Boone Counties, our consumers, and the dogs suffering in puppy mills.”

Many consumers unwittingly support the puppy mill industry. An estimated 99 percent of dogs sold in retail stores are from puppy mills where industrial scale breeding takes place to maximize profit.

As man’s best friend, dogs have served as companion animals for ages. They serve the public by helping our first responders, our military and our citizens with disabilities. There’s no acceptable level of neglect of these animals. Please support this important legislation to show Winnebago & Boone Counties are compassionate Counties when it comes to our pets.