98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB2924

 

Introduced , by Rep. Laura Fine

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
See Index

    Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Defines "animal", "animal rescue group", "kill shelter", "no kill", "guardian", "pet", "biological supply facility", and "medical necessity". Requires certain disclosures to be made by animal shelters, animal control facilities, and animal rescue groups. Provides that any guardian who has brought his or her pet to an animal shelter, animal control facility, or animal rescue group may redeem the pet if the animal shelter, animal control facility, or animal rescue group decides that the pet is not adoptable and shall be put down for reasons other than medical necessity. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to issue fines for violation of the Act. Provides that injunctive relief shall be available to correct violations of the Act. Classifies individuals with standing to bring a civil suit against animal shelters, animal control facilities, and animal rescue groups and provides that a pet owner, guardian, or person who is successful in obtaining a judgment or a settlement shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees. Makes corresponding changes to provisions concerning licensing of certain animal businesses; adoption of dogs and cats; release of animals to shelters; and information on dogs and cats available for adoption by an animal shelter or animal control facility.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
HOME RULE NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2924LRB098 10417 CEL 40622 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulations.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Animal Welfare Act is amended by changing
5Sections 2, 3, 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5 and by adding Sections 3.6,
620.6, 20.7, 20.8, 20.9, and 21.5 as follows:
 
7    (225 ILCS 605/2)  (from Ch. 8, par. 302)
8    Sec. 2. Definitions. As used in this Act unless the context
9otherwise requires:
10    "Department" means the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
11    "Director" means the Director of the Illinois Department of
12Agriculture.
13    "Pet shop operator" means any person who sells, offers to
14sell, exchange, or offers for adoption with or without charge
15or donation dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, or other animals
16customarily obtained as pets in this State. However, a person
17who sells only such animals that he has produced and raised
18shall not be considered a pet shop operator under this Act, and
19a veterinary hospital or clinic operated by a veterinarian or
20veterinarians licensed under the Veterinary Medicine and
21Surgery Practice Act of 2004 shall not be considered a pet shop
22operator under this Act.
23    "Dog dealer" means any person who sells, offers to sell,

 

 

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1exchange, or offers for adoption with or without charge or
2donation dogs in this State. However, a person who sells only
3dogs that he has produced and raised shall not be considered a
4dog dealer under this Act, and a veterinary hospital or clinic
5operated by a veterinarian or veterinarians licensed under the
6Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 shall not
7be considered a dog dealer under this Act.
8    "Secretary of Agriculture" or "Secretary" means the
9Secretary of Agriculture of the United States Department of
10Agriculture.
11    "Person" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership,
12association or other legal entity, any public or private
13institution, the State of Illinois, or any municipal
14corporation or political subdivision of the State.
15    "Kennel operator" means any person who operates an
16establishment, other than an animal control facility,
17veterinary hospital, or animal shelter, where dogs or dogs and
18cats are maintained for boarding, training or similar purposes
19for a fee or compensation; or who sells, offers to sell,
20exchange, or offers for adoption with or without charge dogs or
21dogs and cats which he has produced and raised. A person who
22owns, has possession of, or harbors 5 or less females capable
23of reproduction shall not be considered a kennel operator.
24    "Cattery operator" means any person who operates an
25establishment, other than an animal control facility or animal
26shelter, where cats are maintained for boarding, training or

 

 

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1similar purposes for a fee or compensation; or who sells,
2offers to sell, exchange, or offers for adoption with or
3without charges cats which he has produced and raised. A person
4who owns, has possession of, or harbors 5 or less females
5capable of reproduction shall not be considered a cattery
6operator.
7    "Animal" means any bird, fish, reptile, dog, cat, or mammal
8other than man.
9    "Animal control facility" means any facility operated by or
10under contract for the State, county, or any municipal
11corporation or political subdivision of the State for the
12purpose of impounding or harboring seized, stray, homeless,
13abandoned or unwanted dogs, cats, and other animals. "Animal
14control facility" also means any veterinary hospital or clinic
15operated by a veterinarian or veterinarians licensed under the
16Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 which
17operates for the above mentioned purpose in addition to its
18customary purposes.
19    "Animal shelter" means a facility operated, owned, or
20maintained by a duly incorporated humane society, animal
21welfare society, or other non-profit organization for the
22purpose of providing for and promoting the welfare, protection,
23and humane treatment of animals. "Animal shelter" also means
24any veterinary hospital or clinic operated by a veterinarian or
25veterinarians licensed under the Veterinary Medicine and
26Surgery Practice Act of 2004 which operates for the above

 

 

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1mentioned purpose in addition to its customary purposes.
2    "Animal rescue group" means any organization that
3represents that it saves or rescues animals and locates a home,
4temporary or otherwise, for the animals it rescues.
5    "Kill shelter" means an animal shelter, animal rescue
6group, or animal control facility that euthanizes animals for
7any reason other than medical necessity or transfers animals to
8any other animal shelter, animal control facility, animal
9rescue group, biological supply facility, or research lab
10facility where animals may be euthanized for any reason other
11than medical necessity or used for experiments or research.
12    "No kill" means an animal shelter, animal rescue group, or
13animal control facility that does not euthanize animals except
14for medical necessity and does not transfer the animal to any
15other animal shelter, animal control facility, animal rescue
16group, biological supply facility, or research lab facility
17where animals may be euthanized for any reason other than
18medical necessity or used for experiments or research. To
19qualify as a "no kill" facility, the annual rate of euthanasia
20for all animals cannot exceed 5%.
21    "Foster home" means an entity that accepts the
22responsibility for stewardship of animals that are the
23obligation of an animal shelter, not to exceed 4 animals at any
24given time. Permits to operate as a "foster home" shall be
25issued through the animal shelter.
26    "Guardian" means any person or other legal entity having a

 

 

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1right of property in an animal, who keeps or harbors any
2animal, or who has an animal in his care or custody and who
3surrenders the animal to an animal shelter, animal control
4facility, or animal rescue group.
5    "Guard dog service" means an entity that, for a fee,
6furnishes or leases guard or sentry dogs for the protection of
7life or property. A person is not a guard dog service solely
8because he or she owns a dog and uses it to guard his or her
9home, business, or farmland.
10    "Guard dog" means a type of dog used primarily for the
11purpose of defending, patrolling, or protecting property or
12life at a commercial establishment other than a farm. "Guard
13dog" does not include stock dogs used primarily for handling
14and controlling livestock or farm animals, nor does it include
15personally owned pets that also provide security.
16    "Sentry dog" means a dog trained to work without
17supervision in a fenced facility other than a farm, and to
18deter or detain unauthorized persons found within the facility.
19    "Probationary status" means the 12-month period following
20a series of violations of this Act during which any further
21violation shall result in an automatic 12-month suspension of
22licensure.
23    "Pet" means any animal kept as a companion or any animal
24that has an "owner" as defined by the Animal Control Act.
25    "Biological supply facility" includes any blood bank,
26laboratory, firm, association, corporation, copartnership, or

 

 

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1educational institution that sells biological materials such
2as blood or animals, either alive or dead, to research
3facilities, educational institutions, or veterinarians.
4    "Medical necessity" means euthanasia administered by a
5veterinarian, who after exercising prudent clinical judgment,
6evaluation, and diagnosis, deems that the suffering of the
7animal may not be alleviated by any further treatment of
8illness, injury, disease, or symptoms.
9(Source: P.A. 95-550, eff. 6-1-08.)
 
10    (225 ILCS 605/3)  (from Ch. 8, par. 303)
11    Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this
12Section, no person shall engage in business as a pet shop
13operator, dog dealer, kennel operator, cattery operator, or
14operate a guard dog service, an animal control facility, animal
15rescue group, or animal shelter or any combination thereof, in
16this State without a license therefor issued by the Department.
17Only one license shall be required for any combination of
18businesses at one location, except that a separate license
19shall be required to operate a guard dog service. Guard dog
20services that are located outside this State but provide
21services within this State are required to obtain a license
22from the Department. Out-of-state guard dog services are
23required to comply with the requirements of this Act with
24regard to guard dogs and sentry dogs transported to or used
25within this State.

 

 

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1    (b) This Act does not apply to a private detective agency
2or private security agency licensed under the Private
3Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint
4Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 that provides guard dog or
5canine odor detection services and does not otherwise operate a
6kennel for hire.
7(Source: P.A. 95-613, eff. 9-11-07.)
 
8    (225 ILCS 605/3.3)
9    Sec. 3.3. Adoption of dogs and cats.
10    (a) An animal shelter, animal rescue group, or animal
11control facility shall not adopt out any dog or cat unless it
12has been sterilized and microchipped. However, an animal
13shelter, animal rescue group, or animal control facility may
14adopt out a dog or cat that has not been sterilized and
15microchipped if:
16        (1) the adopting owner has executed a written agreement
17    agreeing to have sterilizing and microchipping procedures
18    performed on the animal to be adopted within a specified
19    period of time not to exceed 30 days after the date of the
20    adoption, or
21        (2) the adopting owner has executed a written agreement
22    to have sterilizing and microchipping procedures performed
23    within 14 days after a licensed veterinarian certifies the
24    dog or cat is healthy enough for sterilizing and
25    microchipping procedures, and a licensed veterinarian has

 

 

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1    certified that the dog or cat is too sick or injured to be
2    sterilized or it would be detrimental to the health of the
3    dog or cat to be sterilized or microchipped at the time of
4    the adoption.
5    (b) An animal shelter, animal rescue group, or animal
6control facility may adopt out any dog or cat that is not free
7of disease, injury, or abnormality if the disease, injury, or
8abnormality is disclosed in writing to the adopter, and the
9animal shelter, animal rescue group, or animal control facility
10allows the adopter to return the animal to the animal shelter
11or animal control facility.
12    (c) The requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this
13Section do not apply to adoptions subject to Section 11 of the
14Animal Control Act.
15(Source: P.A. 96-314, eff. 8-11-09.)
 
16    (225 ILCS 605/3.4)
17    Sec. 3.4. Release of animals to shelters. An animal
18shelter, animal rescue group, or animal control facility may
19not release any animal to an individual representing an animal
20shelter, unless the recipient animal shelter has been licensed
21or has a foster care permit issued by the Department or the
22individual is a representative of a not-for-profit,
23out-of-State organization.
24(Source: P.A. 96-314, eff. 8-11-09.)
 

 

 

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1    (225 ILCS 605/3.5)
2    Sec. 3.5. Information on dogs and cats available for
3adoption by an animal shelter, animal rescue group, or animal
4control facility.
5    (a) An animal shelter, animal rescue group, or animal
6control facility must provide to the adopter prior to the time
7of adoption the following information, to the best of its
8knowledge, on any dog or cat being offered for adoption:
9        (1) The breed, age, date of birth, sex, and color of
10    the dog or cat if known, or if unknown, the animal shelter
11    or animal control facility shall estimate to the best of
12    its ability.
13        (2) The details of any inoculation or medical treatment
14    that the dog or cat received while under the possession of
15    the animal shelter or animal control facility.
16        (3) The adoption fee and any additional fees or
17    charges.
18        (4) If the dog or cat was returned by an adopter, then
19    the date and reason for the return.
20        (5) The following written statement: "A copy of our
21    policy regarding warranties, refunds, or returns is
22    available upon request.".
23        (6) The license number of the animal shelter or animal
24    control facility issued by the Illinois Department of
25    Agriculture.
26    (b) The information required in subsection (a) shall be

 

 

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1provided to the adopter in written form by the animal shelter,
2animal rescue group, or animal control facility and shall have
3an acknowledgement of disclosures form, which must be signed by
4the adopter and an authorized representative of the animal
5shelter, animal rescue group, or animal control facility at the
6time of the adoption. The acknowledgement of disclosures form
7shall include the following:
8        (1) A blank space for the dated signature and printed
9    name of the authorized representative handling the
10    adoption on behalf of the animal shelter or animal control
11    facility, which shall be immediately beneath the following
12    printed statement: "I hereby attest that all of the above
13    information is true and correct to the best of my
14    knowledge.".
15        (2) A blank space for the dated signature and printed
16    name of the adopter, which shall be immediately beneath the
17    following statement: "I hereby attest that this disclosure
18    was posted on or near the cage of the dog or cat for
19    adoption and that I have read all the disclosures. I
20    further understand that I am entitled to keep a signed copy
21    of this disclosure.".
22    (c) A copy of the disclosures and the signed
23acknowledgement of disclosures form shall be provided to the
24adopter and the original copy shall be maintained by the animal
25shelter, animal rescue group, or animal control facility for a
26period of 2 years from the date of adoption. A copy of the

 

 

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1animal shelter's or animal control facility's policy regarding
2warranties, refunds, or returns shall be provided to the
3adopter.
4    (d) An animal shelter, animal rescue group, or animal
5control facility shall post in a conspicuous place in writing
6on or near the cage of any dog or cat available for adoption
7the information required by subsection (a) of this Section 3.5.
8(Source: P.A. 96-1470, eff. 1-1-11.)
 
9    (225 ILCS 605/3.6 new)
10    Sec. 3.6. Disclosures required.
11    (a) Every animal shelter, animal control facility, and
12animal rescue group shall make all of the following disclosures
13on the first page of their website, on a sign of a type and size
14specified by the Director in a conspicuous place upon the
15premises in plain view of the public using the facilities and
16in every written surrender agreement at the top of the document
17in bold print with a type size of no less than 24 points the
18following:
19        (1) whether the animal shelter, animal control
20    facility, or animal rescue group is a kill shelter or
21    no-kill facility as defined by this Act;
22        (2) whether the animal shelter, animal control
23    facility, or animal rescue group sells, donates, or
24    otherwise transfers animals, dead or alive, to a biological
25    supply facility or a research lab facility;

 

 

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1        (3) the number of all animals taken in, adopted out,
2    and euthanized and the percentage of the animals euthanized
3    (compared to all animals taken in) for the preceding year;
4        (4) the number of all dogs taken in, adopted out, and
5    euthanized and the percentage of dogs euthanized (compared
6    to all dogs taken in) for the preceding year;
7        (5) the number of all cats taken in, adopted out, and
8    euthanized and the percentage of cats euthanized (compared
9    to all cats taken in) for the preceding year;
10        (6) the number of animals that are transferred or sold
11    to other animal shelters, animal control facilities, or
12    animal rescue groups and the percentage of the animals so
13    transferred or sold (compared to all animals taken in) for
14    the preceding year;
15        (7) the number of animals that died while under the
16    custody of the animal shelter, animal control facility, or
17    animal rescue group as well as the percentage of the
18    animals that died (compared to all animals taken in) for
19    reasons other than euthanasia for the preceding year;
20        (8) the number of animals sold, donated, or otherwise
21    transferred, dead or alive, to a biological supply facility
22    or a research lab facility for the preceding year; and
23        (9) a statement indicating that the guardian:
24            (A) may redeem the pet if the animal shelter,
25        animal control facility, or animal rescue group decide
26        that the pet is not adoptable and will be put down for

 

 

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1        reasons other than medical necessity,
2            (B) shall be notified by certified mail, email, and
3        telephone based on the information provided by the
4        guardian in the surrender contract,
5            (C) has 10 calendar days after the date the notice
6        is mailed to redeem the pet; and
7            (D) may be responsible for costs incurred by the
8        maintenance of the pet.
9        The following statement satisfies the requirements of
10    subparagraph (C) of paragraph (9) of this subsection: "You
11    have ten (10) days from the date of this letter to redeem
12    your animal from (insert name of shelter) at (insert
13    physical address and hours of operation of the shelter) or
14    your animal will be euthanized or transferred from this
15    facility.".
16    (b) Any guardian who has brought his or her pet to an
17animal shelter, animal control facility, or animal rescue group
18may redeem the pet if the animal shelter, animal control
19facility, or animal rescue group decides that the pet is not
20adoptable and shall be put down for reasons other than medical
21necessity. The animal shelter, animal control facility, or
22animal rescue group shall notify by certified mail, email, and
23telephone based on the information provided by the guardian in
24the surrender contract of the decision, and the guardian shall
25have 10 calendar days after the date the notice is mailed to
26redeem the pet. If the guardian redeems the pet within the time

 

 

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1allowed, the animal shelter, animal control facility, or animal
2rescue group may charge a reasonable fee for maintenance of the
3pet from the time that the notice is mailed.
4    (c) In addition to the disclosures required by this
5Section, a copy of this Act shall be attached to every written
6surrender agreement entered into by an animal shelter, animal
7control facility, or animal rescue group.
8    (d) The disclosures required under this Act shall be
9considered in compliance with this Act only if they are current
10within 12 months after being posted or otherwise disseminated.
 
11    (225 ILCS 605/20.6 new)
12    Sec. 20.6. Remedies.
13    (a) If an animal shelter, animal control facility, or
14animal rescue group violates any provision of this Act, the
15Director may, in the name of the People of the State of
16Illinois and through the Attorney General of the State of
17Illinois, petition for an order enjoining the violation or an
18order enforcing compliance with this Act. Upon the filing of a
19verified petition in court, the court may issue a temporary
20restraining order, without notice or bond, and may
21preliminarily or permanently enjoin the violation. If it is
22established that the animal shelter, animal control facility,
23animal rescue group, person, or persons has violated or is
24violating the injunction, the court may punish the offender for
25contempt of court. Proceedings under this Section shall be in

 

 

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1addition to, and not in lieu of, all other remedies and
2penalties provided by this Act, including, but not limited to,
3the private right of enforcement.
4    (b) Whenever, in the opinion of the Department, an animal
5shelter, animal control facility, or animal rescue group
6violates a provision of this Act, the Department may issue a
7rule to show cause for why an order to cease and desist should
8be entered against the animal shelter, animal control facility,
9or animal rescue group. The rule shall clearly set forth the
10grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide a
11period of 7 days after the date of the rule to file an answer to
12the satisfaction of the Department. Failure to answer to the
13satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease
14and desist to be issued immediately.
 
15    (225 ILCS 605/20.7 new)
16    Sec. 20.7. Sanctions and penalties. Any animal shelter,
17animal control facility, or animal rescue group found in
18violation of this Act shall be fined $100 per day for each
19violation by the Department.
 
20    (225 ILCS 605/20.8 new)
21    Sec. 20.8. Injunctive relief. Injunctive relief shall be
22available under this Act. The court may, in its discretion,
23exercise all powers necessary to enforce this Act, including,
24but not limited to: injunction; revocation, forfeiture, or

 

 

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1suspension of any license, charter, franchise, certificate, or
2other evidence of authority of any person to do business in
3this State; appointment of a receiver; dissolution of domestic
4corporations or association suspension or termination of the
5right of foreign corporations or associations to do business in
6this State; and restitution.
 
7    (225 ILCS 605/20.9 new)
8    Sec. 20.9. Standing and attorneys fees. Any guardian who
9has surrendered his or her pet to an animal shelter, animal
10control facility, or animal rescue group that has violated this
11Act or any person who has contributed funds in excess of $10 or
12volunteered time to an animal shelter, animal control facility,
13or animal rescue group that has violated this Act shall have
14standing to bring a civil action and enforce all remedies and
15sanctions under this Act. A pet owner, guardian, or person who
16is successful in obtaining a judgment or a settlement shall be
17entitled to reasonable attorney's fees.
 
18    (225 ILCS 605/21.5 new)
19    Sec. 21.5. Home rule. This law shall apply to all animal
20shelters, animal control facilities, and animal rescue groups
21operating in the State. This Section is a limitation of home
22rule powers and functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of
23Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.

 

 

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1 INDEX
2 Statutes amended in order of appearance
3    225 ILCS 605/2from Ch. 8, par. 302
4    225 ILCS 605/3from Ch. 8, par. 303
5    225 ILCS 605/3.3
6    225 ILCS 605/3.4
7    225 ILCS 605/3.5
8    225 ILCS 605/3.6 new
9    225 ILCS 605/20.6 new
10    225 ILCS 605/20.7 new
11    225 ILCS 605/20.8 new
12    225 ILCS 605/20.9 new
13    225 ILCS 605/21.5 new