In 2019, there were 407 dog breeders registered in Lancaster County housing close to 53,000 dogs. Fast forward to 2021, where with the internet sale of puppies skyrocketing, pre and post pandemic, Lancaster County now has 424 registered dog kennels housing close to 60,000 dogs.
During the pandemic, the online sale of puppies skyrocketed and it continues to soar. We are deeply concerned that the kennel inspection portion of the audit was halted because of the online sellers and large puppy broker websites that boast about selling thousands of puppies a year, from USDA dog breeders.
There is no transparency for new puppy buyers who click and ship or click and meet breeders in parking lots. Buyers have no way of knowing the conditions the puppy came from. It’s important for new puppy buyers to do their homework and take the time to research the breeder. Sadly the online sale of puppies is skyrocketing.
If you are a consumer, about to purchase a puppy from a questionable source, please do your due diligence and obtain the information about your breeder and broker BEFORE purchasing the puppy. If you determine your puppy comes from an irresponsible source, the cost of due diligence PRIOR to purchase could save you a lot of money and heartache in the end.
When signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker, HB1711 will amend the Illinois Animal Welfare Act to stop the sale of commercially-bred puppies and kittens in Illinois pet stores. Illinois will then be the 5th state in the country to tell pet stores and puppy mills their cruelty is no longer welcome.
