Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey (D-12th) announced the introduction of the Cook County Companion Animal & Consumer Protection Ordinance, a proposal limiting the retail sale of puppies and kittens in Cook County pet stores to animals sourced from shelters and other humane adoption centers. The announcement comes just weeks after the Chicago City Council overwhelmingly approved a similar measure banning the sale of puppy mill dogs in Chicago pet stores by a vote of 49-1.

Commissioner Fritchey, a long-time animal rights advocate, said he was inspired by the efforts and leadership of Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, who led the fight for the passage of the city’s measure. Fritchey stressed the importance of expanding the law to cover the nation’s second largest County.

According to The Humane Society of the United States, virtually all dogs and cats sold in retail stores are from mills. Puppy mill puppies often arrive in pet stores and their new homes with various behavioral and health issues like parvovirus, kennel cough, heartworm and distemper.

Under Commissioner Fritchey’s proposal, any pet store that continues to sell puppies and kittens acquired from commercial breeders would face a $500.00 fine for each transaction in violation of the ordinance.

Similar legislation already exists in more than 40 cities in the United States and Canada, including Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; San Diego, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Austin, Texas; and Toronto, Canada.