Chicago Retailers Can't Use Puppy Mills Anymore

Commercially bred dogs and cats can no longer be sold in Chicago retail stores. On a 49-1 vote, the City Council enacted the ban Wednesday. Sixteen shops in Chicago are affected by the new law.

The lone dissenter was Ald. Brendan Reilly, who reps the 42nd Ward.

"I support the intent of the ordinance, but not the approach. When the city bans a business or a product that’s a policy statement," reads Reilly's quote on ChicagoTribune.com. "The reality is that theses bans don’t end the practice or the product. They just push the practice to the suburbs.”

James Sparks, who owns Park Pet Shop in Mount Greenwood, told the Trib that more than half of his business is in "puppy sales." Sparks said he makes sure he works with reputable breeders.

Instead of commercial breeders, the puppy mills, stores can sell rescue animals and shelter animals. The city of Chicago euthanized 20,000 animals last year at a cost of $300,000, reports SunTimes.com.

City Clerk Susana Mendoza, who's responsible for city dog licenses, advocated for this ordinance.

"It cuts off a pipeline of the animals coming from the horrendous puppy mill industry and instead moves us towards a retail pet sales model that focuses on adopting out the many, many homeless animals in need of loving homes in this city," she said.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said "it's the right thing to do."

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