How To Report A Chicago Pet Store
City of Chicago Pet Stores:Retailers are required to stop selling dogs, cats and rabbits
Help us stop the sale of puppies, kittens and bunnies! Help us with enforcement of the Companion Animal and Consumer Protection Ordinance. The ordinance we worked on for two years and fought so hard to get passed by the Chicago City Council took effect earlier this year. City of Chicago stores are NOT allowed to be selling dogs, cats or rabbits any longer! If you frequent any of the stores below and see them selling, you should call 311 and report them! Likewise, if you see ANY OTHER STORES in Chicago not on this list, selling dogs, cats or rabbits please call 311 and report them as well. You can also CALL the stores below as well and ask if they have dogs, cats and/or rabbits for sale and if they do, report them to 311 as well.
When you call 311, please get the CSR number for your report, which is the number associated with your complaint, and email us that number and the details so we can track our progress! You can call 311 anonymously if you want to. Send your emails to
Pocket Puppies
What Is A Compassionate Animal Lover To Do
According to Best Friends Animal Society, you may just need to institute a Do Not Enter rule for stores that sell retail pets. It will release you from the temptation to buy that any animal lover would experience but more importantly, nothing, but nothing, gets a retailer to examine its business model like an empty store.
Dee Santucci points out, it really does boil down to simple economics.
The bottom line is, we wont get rid of the puppy mills until people STOP buying the puppies. Its supply and demand.
Interested in getting involved as a volunteer with The Puppy Mill Project? Visit their for details.
Three Pet Stores Survive
The three Siberian husky puppies were housed on property owned by J.A.K.S, a business that provides dogs to pet shops across the country. The 1,600-square-foot kennel, which has surveillance cameras mounted on the outside and signs forbidding people from entering the building, is run by co-owner Jolyn Noethe, a well-known dealer whose parents had been in the puppy industry for decades and had a troubled history before closing their business a few years ago.
After Chicago passed its anti-puppy mill ordinance, records show Noethe and her business partner, Kimberly Dolphin, formed Hobo K-9 Rescue, a nonprofit business that would be allowed to provide dogs to Chicago pet shops under the new law. Federal law does not require the rescue to be regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but it is inspected by state regulators.
In keeping with the dual business model, the two Siberian puppies exported to Chicago last fall entered the state as Hobo K-9 Rescue dogs, while the one sent to the northwest suburbs was listed as a J.A.K.S puppy, according to agriculture records.
However, there is little distinction between Hobo and J.A.K.S, according to public records.
Hobo K-9 Rescue, which was formed in September 2016, exported 512 dogs between its inception and December 2017, according to the inspection certificates. About 73 percent of the puppies were pure breeds, while 27 percent were designer mixes.
Pet Luv owner Donald Groenewold did not respond to requests for comment.
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Puppy Mill Loophole Closed: Chicago Pet Stores Banned From Passing Off Purebred Designer Dogs As Rescues
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune.
Pet stores in Chicago can no longer pass off high-priced purebred and designer dogs as rescue animals under new restrictions that close a long-standing loophole in the citys anti-puppy mill ordinance, a furtive practice exposed by a Tribune investigation.
Under 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins revamped measure, stores will be permitted to sell only shelter dogs for a nominal fee. The price restrictions would make it harder for brokers and breeders to exploit the law and pass off commercially bred dogs as shelter animals, as some have done in recent years.
The change allows pet shop owners to show dogs from rescues and shelters, but the store no longer can have any ownership or financial stake in the animals displayed for adoption. Approved rescue groups also cannot have any affiliation with a commercial business such as a breeder or dealer, according to Hopkins plan, which the City Council approved Wednesday.
Im still in shock, said Marc Ayers, Illinois state director for the Humane Society of the United States, who with other advocates has fought to tighten the ordinance for years. Its a great day for animals, pet owners and consumers in Chicago who thought they were doing the right thing by adopting a rescue animal but later found out it came from a puppy mill.
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If Youre Looking For A Purebred Pup Who Will Put A Smile On Your Face Come To Furry Babies In Any Of Our Five Locations
We recognize that searching for the perfect pup to join your home can be a somewhat daunting task, in the beginning. There are several pet stores in Chicago that sell puppies, but none are like Furry Babies. We have multiple locations and were here to serve you, answer your questions, and meet your needs.
Our pet stores in Chicago that sell puppies are reputable and dedicated to providing future pet owners with furry companions that will brighten and enlighten their daily lives and for years to come! We take the utmost care of our furry babies. While we pride ourselves on having a large selection of puppies, we also pride ourselves on ensuring each animal gets the utmost care. We make ourselves available for any questions that you may have. Our expert staff members are dedicated to ensuring that the pet that you select meets your and your familys needs. Theres no guarantee that all pet stores in Chicago that sell puppies will give you such confidence when you walk out of the door, but we certainly will!
We want you to know that each and every furry baby that lives and leaves our premises receive a health check twice. We make sure that theyre feeling and looking their absolute best, before they go home with you. Having pet owners with peace of mind is important to us.
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Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
What are some popular services for pet stores?
Some popular services for pet stores include:
What are people saying about pet stores services in Chicago, IL?
This is a review for a pet stores business in Chicago, IL:
“After experiencing bad attitudes & poor customer service at another local pet chain, I decided to return to Pet People even if the location isn’t close to where I run my other errands. I had forgotten how well stocked with natural pet products this store Is. Since I bailed on the other pet chain, I’ve been here twice. Twice they had exactly what I needed. Twice, the staff was friendly and helpful. I like shopping for dog food without angst or attitude.”
Chicago Alderman Looks To Block Pet Stores In The City From Selling Puppy Mill Dogs
Chicago aldermen on Monday advanced a plan its supporters say will help close a loophole in the rules designed to prevent city pet stores from selling dogs from puppy mills.
Ald. Brian Hopkins ordinance only allows city pet stores to sell dogs or other animals that come from rescue organizations for a nominal adoption fee.
That change is meant to take away the financial incentive for commercial breeders to incorporate themselves as nonprofit shelters and sell their animals to stores, which then mark them up for resale. Chicago has had a statute on the books for several years outlawing the sale of any puppies from commercial breeders.
The Tribune reported on a national puppy laundering ring that supplied dogs to Chicago pet stores, helping raise awareness of the problem.
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Should State Allow 12
- GRANT MORGANCapitol News
“I flat-out told them at some point their industry was coming to an end in the city of Chicago,” Lopez said. “They know they are the last of their breed — pun intended.”
Lopez applauded the Iowa attorney general’s complaint.
“The spirit of this action gets at the heart of what we’ve been talking about,” he said. “People are manipulating rescues laws in order to make a profit.”
Chicago Pet Stores Banned From Passing Off Purebred Dogs As Rescues
- Stacy St. ClairChicago Tribune
Pet stores in Chicago can no longer pass off high-priced purebred and designer dogs as rescue animals under new restrictions that close a long-standing loophole in the citys anti-puppy mill ordinance, a furtive practice exposed by a Tribune investigation.
Under 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins revamped measure, stores will be permitted to sell only shelter dogs for a nominal fee. The price restrictions would make it harder for brokers and breeders to exploit the law and pass off commercially bred dogs as shelter animals, as some have done in recent years.
The change allows pet shop owners to show dogs from rescues and shelters, but the store no longer can have any ownership or financial stake in the animals displayed for adoption. Approved rescue groups also cannot have any affiliation with a commercial business such as a breeder or dealer, according to Hopkins plan, which the City Council approved Wednesday.
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week dropped to a fresh one-year low, suggesting layoffs were subsiding as a reopening economy unleashes pent-up demand. Fred Katayama reports.
Opponents, however, warned that by making it harder for shops to sell puppies, theyre forcing people to find less regulated, less honorable ways to find pets.
City officials say the percentage of dogs who got a new home went from 65% in 2015 to 93% last year.
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Loophole Allowing Designer And Purebred Puppies To Be Sold As Rescue Dogs In Chicago Could Be Closed As Alderman Seeks End To Inhumane Practice But Pet Shops Push Back
A Chicago alderman is trying to close a loophole in the citys anti-puppy mill ordinance that has allowed some pet shops to sell pricey designer dogs from sham rescues tied to commercial dealers, a furtive practice exposed by a Tribune investigation.
Under a revamped ordinance introduced earlier this month by North Side Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, stores only would be permitted to sell shelter dogs at a nominal fee. The price restrictions would make it harder for brokers and breeders to exploit the law, as some have done in recent years.
I do have to give them credit for creativity, Hopkins told the Tribune. In hindsight, of course, theres so much profit to be made and theres so many people involved in this shady industry, they were not going to go away quietly.
Chicago was among the first major cities in the country to pass a law that permitted pet shops to sell dogs only if they were obtained from government pounds, humane societies or rescue shelters.
The law went into effect in 2015 with the aim to prevent businesses from sourcing dogs from so-called puppy mills, large-scale breeding facilities often criticized for poor conditions and mistreatment of the mother dogs. Another goal of the city law was to reduce the number of euthanized shelter dogs.
Another city store sourced its puppies from that same Iowa business and sold a rescued goldendoodle to a customer for $3,600, records show.
The two other pet store owners could not be reached for comment.
Testimonials Of Happy Families
Great staff!
Kerry E.
Wendy
Great store
Valerie in Calumet Park
My Chihuahua Tink
C.Martin
Education with every visit
Laura and Glen Hazzard
The Best Pet Store Ever!!
Ursula Stewart
Gift for parents…
Kate
You’ll love the place!
carrie andrzejewski
I won’t go anywhere else for tank supplies.
Eric herrera
The staff of Park Pets is really helpful
Warren Johnson
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What People Are Saying
All things I need, all questions answered by TRUE experts/animal lovers. We have been coming here since 2007! Joanne Sanin
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A great store with healthy animals and an abundance of supplies to keep them happyDefinitely a great alternative to chain pet stores. Rhie Cruz
Kenn the owner is very understanding. He went above and beyond to help usYou do not get that type of customer service from a big box store. Jet Sullivan
They had everything we needed for our new ferret and food for my hedgehog. I love this place! Lola Iliavi-Ziomek
The only store in the Chicago land area with exotic pets! Glad we visited. Rosa Maria
Kenn and his staff are SUPER helpful and know their stuff. Great prices on everything! GB Esh
Super knowledgeable and helpfulThe Animal Store carries plenty of supplies to keep my reptile happy and healthy at decent prices. Diane W.
So wonderful, all of the pets that I have gotten from here have been in perfect healthAwesome pets, supplies, and advice! Lauren M.
Really great hidden Gem of a store. Their prices are even cheaper than one of their big box competitors. Pretty cool! Sarah R.
The place to go for reptiles. I needed to speak to a professional, and Kenn was extremely helpful. Well worth the drive from the city. J.J.
Masses of rare and beautiful animals from giant tortoises to Russian chipmunksFantastic. Matthew David S.
Push For Blaine To Prohibit Pet Stores From Selling Puppy Mill Puppies
BLAINE, Minn. – Community members and humane organizations are calling on the city of Blaine to stop the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores.
At a high kill shelter, Maverick just needed a chance, and he got it with the Backes family – as did his sidekick, Kona.
Advocates push for Blaine to prohibit pet stores from selling puppy mill puppies
Advocates are pushing for Blaine to pass an ordinance prohibiting pet stores from selling puppy mill puppies.
Now, Kelly and NHL star David Backes are fighting for other dogs as they push for the city of Blaine to adopt what they call a humane pet store ordinance. The change would prohibit pet stores from selling puppies, which many say come from puppy mills.
“The conditions can be awful at these puppy mills and still be within some sort of government guidelines where they can be stacked on top of each other in cages. Some never get to touch grass their whole lives,” David Backes said.
Joining the effort is Angels Pet Store in Hudson, Wisconsin. For six years, Angel Duratti sold puppies, but that stopped 11 years ago.
“It gets hard on the heart,” said Duratti. “It gets really, really heavy on the heart to be able to go to the consumer – and you want them to be able to trust you – and you cant even trust the health of the dogs youre getting,” she said.
So far in Minnesota, the cities of Roseville, Eden Prairie, St. Paul, Carver and Cloquet have adopted humane pet store ordinances.
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