Chloe’s Bill to Regulate Dog Breeders, Pet Stores

I think it's great that the bill is being considered, but I think the requirements of the bill should be more restrictive. I guess you have to take one step at a time.

Ok, so let me give you a perspective from the common consumer/pet owners’ point of view. I own two dogs, both fixed. I did my homework and found a breed I love. My first dog was purchased from a pet store down the street in Champaign IL, (I didn’t know any better). After we signed a contract and paid for the puppy; the pet store owner gave me something she affectionately called “Lucky Puppy Gatorade” and claimed that it was loaded with vitamins and nutrients. The “Gatorade” turned out to be medicine to treat the puppy,(not one vitamin in the mix); she was very sick at the time of sale with a contagious illness that threatened the health and welfare of my entire family. The next time I purchased a puppy I was more careful. I went to an AKC breeder in Paxton IL, checked references, asked lots of questions and got a lot of good answers. I found out later that the AKC papers were fraudulent. Apparently the breeder was trying to avoid DNA tests and inspections through the AKC by claiming that a different dog had given birth to my puppy. She wasn’t so purebred after all but still came with a hefty purebred price tag. None of these situations deterred our love for our pets and we have willingly overcome their problems. But not all animals are lucky enough to have devoted owners like us who are willing to spend the extra money and time to lovingly nurse a sick puppy or write unanswered complaints to the AKC.
It is interesting that most of the complaints I have read about this bill are all being lodged by supposedly “responsible” dog breeders. How do I know you are a responsible dog breeder? The answer is……I don’t. I know only what you claim on this site and what I have personally experienced. This law, if signed would help fix that. There simply must be a distinction between companion animals that are kept in our homes and sleep with our children and livestock raised on farms. This law would help make that distinction. Dog breeders have been allowed to self regulate for a very long time and from my experience you have failed miserably in your attempts. Breeders themselves have made this bill necessary by failing to successfully regulate their own industry. It is time for a meaningful attempt at change that will protect the consumers from misrepresentations as well as protect the pets from mistreatment…….this bill wasn’t meant to protect you, (breeders); it is intended to protect companion animals as well as the consumers who purchase them.
In my opinion, if this bill is signed into law……..I will eagerly ONLY buy a dog originating from Illinois. It seems they will be the only state in which I can rest assured that my purchase of a lifelong companion will be safer.