Protect Our Pets Illinois

We are in the last 2 weeks of session in Illinois! We want to thank all of you for your engagement this year! You have made a difference and we couldn’t be more grateful! We will share a full video update soon!🐾

We also want to send a special thank you to Lauren & the entire Pet Advocacy Network team for their engagement in Illinois this year!

We appreciate their work nationwide and the time they took to protect Illinois pets with us this year! 🐕‍🦺🦮🦴

The U.S. House passed the Farm Bill, which included the Healthy Dog Importation Act. This is a major step toward stronger oversight of dogs entering the United States.

The Healthy Dog Importation Act focuses on ensuring imported dogs meet health requirements, reducing the risk of disease and improving accountability in the importation process. This is especially important for Illinois pets and families, where O’Hare International Airport serves as a major entry point for imported animals.

Protect Our Pets Illinois strongly supports measures like this that ensure imported dogs meet consistent health standards and protect both animal and public health.

We appreciate the years-long effort by the National Animal Interest Alliance in championing this important legislation. Learn more about their organization here: https://www.naiaonline.org

It’s deadline week for the House & Senate this week! Our team is hard at work protecting our pets!

The Chicago Tribune recently published a letter to the editor by the founder of Protect Our Pets Illinois raising serious questions about how certain animal rescues are bringing dogs into our state.

Even though Illinois ranks fourth in the country for animal protection laws, more than 20,000 dogs are imported here every year with very little oversight. These "ghost puppies" are creating a major concern for both policymakers and the public. We saw the real danger of this recently when Chicago had its first rabid dog case in three decades, which involved a puppy imported from out of state by a local rescue.

Beyond the public health risks, the letter points out a heartbreaking reality: Some organizations are operating under the guise of animal rescue but are actually acquiring puppies from commercial auctions and puppy mills with revoked federal licenses. It is time to close this dangerous loophole and demand the transparency needed to truly protect both the animals and the people of Illinois.

Read the full letter: https://bit.ly/4tvfrC5

HB3648 Passed Unanimously! Thank you Illinois House Representatives for Protecting Our Pets! 🐕 🐩🐕‍🦺🦴🐾

https://www.decaturradio.com/2026/04/09/house-passes-pet-shelter-transparency-bill/ #

Public Health Notice from the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding a rabies case identified in Chicago.

This is the first case of rabies identified since 1994. Make sure your dogs are up to date on their rabies vaccine.

Lastly it is very important that we ensure any dogs being imported into Illinois not only come from responsible rescues, but that there is proper oversight of rescues both in and out of our state with regards to animal welfare.

Happy Halloween!🎃 Keep your pets safe!

👻🎃☠️ Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat (but, don't give your pets Halloween candy)!

While it may be the scariest time of year, it doesn't have to be for your pets. Here are 7 tips to help prevent any scary situations. You can find more information at avma.org/Halloween.

Check out the science behind how we talk to our dogs! 🤍🐶

What talking to your dog in baby voice actually does to their brain Dogs link "baby talk" with affection. attention, and rewards—and using it while speaking with them may strengthen your bond.