Chicago – State Representative Jaime Andrade has received a 100% score on the 2021 Illinois Humane Scorecard for his commitment to protecting animal welfare.
“I am pawsitively delighted to have received a 100% score on the 2021 Illinois Humane Scorecard.”
The items scored in the 2021 Illinois Humane Scorecard include:
Humane Pet Store Act: A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of HB 1711, the Humane Pet Store Act. What most consumers don’t know is that the vast majority of pet store puppies come from puppy mills—high-volume dog breeding facilities that treat mother dogs like breeding machines and puppies like mere products. HB 1711 will crack down on these cruel operations by prohibiting the sale of commercially-raised dogs and cats in pet stores, driving the pet market towards shelters, rescues, and responsible breeders.
Predatory Pet Sales Loans: A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of HB 572, to amend the Sales Finance Agency Act. Another way puppy mill sales outlets abuse unsuspecting consumers is by offering financing through third party lenders with promises of low interest rates. This allows pet dealers to sell puppies for thousands of dollars, even to those who cannot afford them outright, but often leaves customers with shockingly high interest rates—up to 200%—and hidden fees. HB 572 will now put an end to this by prohibiting the financing of a dog or cat.
Mandatory Forfeiture: A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of HB 168, to amend the Humane Care for Animals Act. Persons formerly convicted of animal abuse pose a clear future risk to any animals in their care. Anyone who has committed an act of dogfighting, aggravated cruelty, or animal abuse has proven that they are a danger to animals—and if they’ve been convicted of at least 2 of those offenses, HB 168 will mandate the forfeiture of all animals in their dwelling.
Wildlife Trafficking: A ✓ indicates a vote in favor of HB 395, to amend the Ivory Ban Act. This law expands protections for an increased number of imperiled species from the illegal wildlife trade, by restricting the sale of parts or products from giraffes, tigers, lions, great apes, sharks, sea turtles, pangolins, and more in the state of Illinois.
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