Rockford animal advocates say state's Humane Pet Store Law is working but puppy mills still exist

It’s been almost two years since Illinois made it illegal for pet stores to sell puppies and kittens that do not come from pet rescues or shelters.

Part of the law’s aim is to stop retailers from selling animals obtained from and large-scale, commercial breeders known commonly as puppy mills, where females are bred multiple times, and their litters are herded for profit.

So far, local animal advocates say the Humane Pet Store Law, which took effect on Feb. 23, 2022, is making it difficult for pet stores that generate the bulk of their income from the sale of dogs and cats to do business in Illinois.

The last of such stores in the Rockford area was Furry Babies, which operated in the CherryVale Mall for several years before closing earlier this month.

Even after the Human Pet Store Law passed, Furry Babies sold dogs from the chain’s network of breeders, claiming the legislation is flawed. The Rockford store and two other locations were also cited by the state for operating without proper licensing, allegations the owners denied.

Opponents of retailers like Fur Babies say they’re thankful that there are currently no pet stores in Rockford selling dogs brought in from breeding facilities. They also know that there will always be those who flout the law or find ways around it.

More: State says Furry Babies in Rockford is operating without proper licensing

“With internet and social media, you can easily find puppies in other states,” said Amy Mehalko, of Rockford, who fosters dogs for Care For Pets, Tiny Paws and other rescue organizations. “There are people that will travel.”

And there’s big money in it. Sellers can get thousands of dollars apiece for dogs, including “designer breeds” that customers take home without question. Unless a breeder proves otherwise, a consumer may have no way of knowing whether their new pet came from a large puppy mill or a small-scale backyard breeder who operates the same way.

There are also only five other states that ban the sale of dogs in pet stores, which means the demand for commercial breeding outfits is still quite high. It's why rescues see animals from such facilities every day.

“Hopefully other states will crack down and follow suit,” Mehalko said. “Then puppy mills might become a thing of the past.”

Experts say not all dog breeders are bad actors. There are top-notch operations throughout the country that produce fine purebred, even mixed-breed animals. But it can be tricky because of slick marketing to identify them.

“If you do want something specific, be real educated on a breeder versus a puppy mill or backyard breeder or a pet store,” said Amber Pinnon, adoption and volunteer coordinator for Winnebago County Animal Services. “All pet stores are going to tell you that what you are getting from them is not from a backyard breeder. But the biggest way to tell that you are making an educated choice is if you can actually see the parents of a puppy you are getting.”

Pinnon said good breeders are almost always willing to open their doors to consumers and let them see their animals. When they're not, she said it can be red flag.

“If they don’t let you see the mom for yourself, and the conditions of the home for yourself, there’s probably good reason for that,” she said. “There is probably something they don’t want you to see.”

The Illinois Humane Pet Store Law also bans pet loans, which are typically high interest plans with hefty fees. They are also tremendous sales tools for retailers peddling designer breeds and purebred dogs with big price tags to those who don’t have upfront cash.

“It’s hard to see animals sold in that way when we have those kinds of breeds here and purebred animals here, too,” Pinnon said. “So, why pay so much money for an animal when you can adopt at a much lower price?”

Nationwide, pet stores and breeders fetch anywhere from $500 to $2,500 or more for puppies, depending on the breed. It typically costs about $100 to $500 to adopt a dog from a shelter or pet rescue.

“It’s already been altered. It already has a microchip and has vaccinations that are needed,” Pinnon said. “So, it may be a more economic option for people to adopt as well as a better option for pets.”

Jim Hagerty covers business, growth and development and other general news topics for the Rockford Register Star. Email him at jhagerty@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Puppy mill dogs still finding their way to Rockford area despite pet store ban