ROCKFORD — CherryVale Mall's ‘Furry Babies’ officially closed over the weekend.
This comes after a big push to impose statewide restrictions on so-called “puppy mills.”
The state says those are large-scale, for-profit pet breeding businesses known for raising animals in less-than-safe humane conditions leaving the animals susceptible to disease.
A bill introduced in 2021 limits the retail sale of dogs and cats to animal control and shelters only, meaning stores can't take and sell pets from certain breeders.
However, lawyers got involved to find work-arounds for the law to keep businesses running.
Last year Illinois passed an amendment to the law prohibiting finance agencies from purchasing or making loans for the sale of a dog or cat. That went into effect on January 1st, 2024.
Just days after the closing of Rockford's Furry Babies, the primary bill sponsor when it was first introduced, Sen. Andrew Chesney says he is starting to see the legislation have an impact on businesses who chose not to comply.
“The business model needed to be changed and that's why I got involved,” explains Chesney.
“We certainly want people to be in business and make money, but if it's charging 500 percent interest rates, hurting animals, and taking advantage of vulnerable people, I think we have to ask a question if this is the best business practice," he adds.
Chesney says after his wife purchased a dog in need from a different state he decided to get involved and became passionate about putting a stop to animal cruelty in Illinois.
Rockford Shelter Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary is hoping the closure will impact them, allowing for more adoptions.
“This time of year we see a lot of owners surrendering where puppies are purchased for Christmas gifts from breeders and stores. We see a lot of that this time of year. Overall we're pretty happy with the news of Furry Babies closing,” says, Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary Assistant Manager, Brooke Pond.
Pond adds the shelter currently has around 20 dogs and 100 cats – which she says is lower than usual – but adoptions remain slow.
Furry Babies has two other Illinois locations outside of Rockford in Aurora and Lombard.
Sen. Chesney says they were just one of 12 companies in Illinois that went against state animal welfare laws.
