Western Chicago Suburbs Action Team

Batavia does not currently have a humane pet store ordinance, which means that pet stores are able to sell pets that come from mass-breeding facilities where profit takes priority over the health, comfort and welfare of the animals. These facilities produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. We must learn our lesson from Covid-19: diseases that spread from animals to humans should be taken seriously. We have the opportunity to take action against mass-breeding pet mills, so we should act now to ban the sale of these commercially-bred pets in pet stores. I would like to see Batavia enact a humane pet store ordinance that would prevent local pet stores from being able to sell puppies, kittens, and rabbits from commercial breeding facilities. I am a resident of Batavia, and I care about the safety of animals and the humans interacting with these animals. Now is the time to pass an ordinance that would protect pets, consumers and public health. Neighboring cities, such as Chicago and Naperville, have passed similar ordinances which could serve as a model for our own ordinance. In fact, 20 localities across Illinois have already enacted similar ordinances. Please consider passing a humane pet store ordinance for Batavia, Illinois. Thank you.

Oswego does not currently have a humane pet store ordinance, which means that pet stores are able to sell pets that come from mass-breeding facilities where profit takes priority over the health, comfort, and welfare of the animals. These facilities produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread Campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. We have learned that this is a time where a sense of community is more important than ever as we continue to isolate ourselves in order to protect the ones we love. To preserve that sense, we must have trust within our local government to guide us knowing they have our best interests in their minds and hearts. With that said, I believe through this struggle we must learn our lesson from COVID-19: diseases that spread from animals to humans should be taken seriously. We have the opportunity to take action against mass-breeding pet mills, so we should act now to ban the sale of these commercially-bred pets in pet stores. I believe it is in the township’s best interest to curb the spread of new diseases, in order to fulfill their commitment to public safety. I would like to see Oswego enact a humane pet store ordinance that would prevent local pet stores from being able to sell puppies, kittens, and rabbits from commercial breeding facilities. I am a resident of Oswego, and I care about the safety of animals and the humans interacting with these animals. Now is the time to pass an ordinance that would protect pets, consumers, and public health. Neighboring cities, such as Chicago and Naperville, have passed similar ordinances which could serve as a model for our own ordinance. In fact, 20 localities across Illinois have already enacted similar ordinances. Please consider passing a humane pet store ordinance for Oswego, Illinois. Thank you.