Vance Wy

3/27/2018 10:03 AM

Go Humane Lake County is an organization that promotes rescue and adoption of pets, and advocates for changes in local and state laws to end the pet overpopulation crisis.

We respectfully urge Lake County government to follow the lead of Will and DuPage County and request our state legislators to add Lake County to Senate Bill 2280.

This bill states that all pet stores must source their dogs, cats and bunnies from rescue organizations or animal shelters (as has been done in Cook County).

We commend PetSmart, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus and the many other retailers who have already adopted this humane business model.

Reputable breeders never sell their animals to pet stores for resale, which is why this legislation does not hurt reputable breeders. Reputable breeders are concerned with every aspect of their animal's health and always allow potential buyers to visit their facilities.

Pet stores often source from commercial breeders, aka: puppy mills. These operations can house hundreds of breeding dogs, who spend their entire lives in cages being repeatedly bred, then are disposed of when no longer producing. Some, but not all, are USDA licensed, but oversight and inspection are inadequate. "AKC registered" has no bearing on the conditions pets are bred under. Pet stores and puppy mills call themselves the "pet trade industry." They are the major cause of pet overpopulation and euthanization in the USA.

Go Humane Lake County strongly supports the addition of Lake County to Senate Bill 2280, and thanks board members Sandy Hart, Judy Martini, and Vance Wyatt for their advocacy.

Let's make Lake County humane and join with 230 cities, towns, and counties, and the state of California to help put a stop to puppy mills.

Denise C. Rolando

Gurnee