catanddog

Evanston’s Human Services Committee Monday is scheduled to consider an ordinance that would only permit the sale or adoption of cats, dogs and rabbits by animal shelters and federally licensed breeders.

All of the animals acquired through shelters would be required to be spayed or neutered before adoption.

Shelters and breeders would have to maintain a variety of records, and breeders would be limited to owning, possessing or housing no more than five female cats, dogs or rabbits capable or reproduction in any 12-month period.

In a memo to the committee, Assistant City Attorney Hugh DuBose says an increasing population of unwanted cats, dogs and rabbits “creates both an economic burden on the city and a humane burden on the animals.”

The city-owned shelter doesn’t currently care for rabbits, and DuBose says the local animal rescue that does care for rabbits “has expressed concern about the number of rabbits requiring rescue in Evanston.”

The ordinance would appear to make it illegal for a resident who had to give up a pet because of a move or health issues to give the animal to a friend or relative.

Fines for violation of the ordinance would range from $500 to $1,500.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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4 Comments

  1. Pets

    “…The ordinance would appear to make it illegal for a resident who had to give up a pet because of a move or health issues to give the animal to a friend or relative…”

    Message to the city council – “you’re not very good at this.  Please stop writing and passing laws, when you don’t comprehend the ramifications of what you’ve crafted”

  2. Isn’t there already a law in
    Isn’t there already a law in Cook County that bans the sale of dogs and cats from commercial breeders?

  3. For sale: 1 pet rock.

    For sale: 1 pet rock. Pending clarification from City of Evanston.
     

    1. Crazy

      Federally licensed breeders are large commercial kennels required to raise animals on concrete for disinfection purposes.  Most reputable breeders stay under those limits so they can raise their puppies properly, in the house, on carpet and blankets, on beds and sofas, in the kitchen, in the living room, learning about house life and all the handling and socializing that goes with it.  In home breeders are the BEST breeders for raising happy healthy pets.  This bill is targeting the entirely wrong demographic of breeder. 

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