Vernon Hills considers sales ban on commercially raised dogs and cats
Vernon Hills officials want to more clearly define village codes to prohibit the sale of commercially raised dogs and cats.
"This is something that's catching on, and I know that we could probably do the same," Trustee Kari Brown said in reference to bipartisan legislation introduced in Pennsylvania to prohibit the sale of commercially raised dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores.
"We need to be a voice for those who don't have one," she said.
Currently no stores in Vernon Hills sell dogs or cats from commercial breeders, and any wanting to do so would need village board approval.
However, to avoid a potential legal challenge, trustees could tweak village code to provide a clear definition of what constitutes a pet store.
"We're certainly going to propose an ordinance to prevent the retail sale of dogs and cats. That's our intention," Trustee David Oppenheim said.
The pending action is an apparent response to a proposal in September to open a Petland store that specializes in selling puppies.
During an informal presentation, representatives proposed a store with 24 puppy kennels, each holding three small-breed or two large-breed puppies, and one cat kennel to hold three to five kittens. It would be part of a Petland franchise with other locations in Chicago Ridge and Naperville, trustees were told.
But the reception was cool as trustees questioned several aspects of the operation, including the proposed location near two restaurants. Petland eventually withdrew the proposal.
Oppenheim has been working with interim village attorney Keith Hunt on a sales ban, including a definition of a pet store to erase any ambiguity and potential legal challenge.
The revised rules will not affect the operation of existing animal hospitals or pet supply stores, and will allow for adoption of animals from reputable, licensed facilities.
"I don't want anyone to walk away thinking that we're prohibiting everything because we're not," Village Manager Mark Fleischhauer said.
Trustee Jim Schultz noted that because it is a special use in village code, no pet store of any type can open without a public hearing before the planning and zoning commission and village board approval.
"There's no way anything anywhere near what we're looking to ban can occur without a majority of this board, and right now, there's no way a majority of this board would allow for that special use," Schultz said.
While there is no immediate urgency, the measures can't hurt, he said. "The more we further clarify and adopt additional regulations, the better off things should become."
In October, Buffalo Grove trustees enacted a six-month moratorium on the wholesale and retail sale of dogs and cats as they weigh a permanent ban.