Chicago, IL— Leadership from the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association delivered a joint statement with support from the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association at a press conference this morning in response to the proposed Amendment to the Cook County Companion Animal and Consumer Protection Ordinance sponsored by Cook County Commissioners Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman, Gregg Goslin, and Joan Patricia Murphy.

The veterinary profession is appreciative of the Cook County Commissioners who reached out to its members seeking their input and recommendations to create a sensible amendment that best protects the health and welfare of pets, and helps the public to understand their lifelong commitment as responsible pet owners.

The veterinary profession is vehemently opposed to any and all sources of animals where inhumane and cruel treatment occurs. Such unethical, unscrupulous breeders should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and permanently put out of business.

The proposed amendments more effectively attempt to address the harm of substandard breeders in a way that does not punish those breeders who are in compliance with state and federal standards, and also allow pet shops to continue to provide a service to consumers and to employ people in our communities.

Veterinarians are well positioned to assess the welfare of animals and are the best resource for educating individuals and families about responsible pet ownership. The profession is committed to ongoing public education to increase pet owner awareness and bring about the desired positive change necessary to address valid concerns regarding unethical, unscrupulous breeders.

The Puppy Lemon Law (IL Public Act 098-0509) exists to protect the pet owners in Cook County and the State of Illinois. The Act specifically provides for pet retailer penalties, and remedies for consumers that purchase pets with medical problems.

Ironically, eliminating pet retail sales would decrease consumers’ remedies in cases where they purchase a pet that has an undisclosed illness.

The veterinary profession is committed to working with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Commissioners on a proactive public education campaign about responsible pet ownership, and to promote the adoption of healthy, well socialized pets into loving homes for the benefit of all residents in Cook County.

###

The CVMA is an association of over 1000 veterinarians and 4000 support staff who lovingly assist more than one million Chicago area pets and their families.

The membership of the CVMA is dedicated to the health and well-being of animals through its nurturing of the human animal bond. The CVMA will strive to fulfill the diversified needs of its members by providing nationally recognized CE programs, cultivating membership involvement, and offering innovative member services and exemplary public awareness.

Since 1896, the CVMA has continued a proud tradition of providing its members with vital services and programs which have expanded dramatically over a century to meet the ever-changing needs of the veterinary profession and its diverse patients and clients.