HB1556

Illinois HB1556 amends the Animal Welfare Act to regulate professional dog breeders.

Illinois HB1556 amends the Animal Welfare Act to establish requirements for professional dog breeders. The bill defines a professional breeder as a person or entity that owns, has possession of, or houses more than five breeding female dogs and conducts business within the state. The bill mandates that professional breeders must source dogs from animal control facilities, shelters, or other professional breeders in compliance with the Act. It also requires breeders to maintain detailed records of each dog offered for sale and submit these records to the Department of Agriculture upon request.