Carroll Fights Animal Abuse with Restrictions on Puppy Mills

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is cutting off a major source of profit for puppy mills and other for-profit operations that abuse animals by banning the use of credit, loans or installment agreements for the purchase of companion animals. Unethical breeders and pet stores often use these debt plans to charge high prices for animals who are often raised and kept in abusive conditions.

“I’ve said from the beginning that puppy mills and unethical breeders should not be able to profit from selling abused and neglected animals at exorbitant rates,” Carroll said. “We have a responsibility not to enable the corrupt and immoral practices of these breeders.”

Carroll’s House Bill 3236 bans financing companies from offering or engaging in any type of installment loan or other loan transaction related to the sale or purchase of a companion animal. The aim is to make operations that neglect or mistreat the animals in their care unprofitable. It is hoped that without the ability to extend credit or loans, these operations may ultimately be rendered unable to compete with responsible shelters and pet rescues.

The bill passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses and was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. It becomes effective Jan. 1, 2024.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the vast majority of people all agree that animals should not be abused for profit,” Carroll said. “Unfortunately, we still have to make laws to stop an unscrupulous minority who don’t care about animals and won’t stop abusing them if they can line their pockets by doing so. That’s what this law helps to do.”