New Bird Legislation In Illinois, Politicians trying to take our pets!

[Graehstone]

All of our members who live in Illinois should be aware of currently pending legislation in Illinois that could seriously affect our rights as bird owners and bird breeders.
On February 1, 2005, HB0707 was presented to the Illinois Assembly, and assigned to the Agriculture and Conservation Committee for a Feb. 16th hearing. It mandates that anyone who is an animal caretaker for birds, reptiles, cats, dogs, or other animals meet certain standards and be licensed.

"Animal caretaker means any person who sells, offers to sell or exchange, or offers for adoption with or without charge or donation, dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, or other animals customarily obtained as pets in this state (Illinois). Animal caretaker includes, but is not limited to, a pet store, breeder, adoption facility, shelter, or private individual who performs any of the functions of an animal caretaker listed in this paragraph."

Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Nekritz, the bill would amend the state's Animal Welfare Act by requiring licenses for all "animal caretakers."

This definition includes but is not limited to anyone who sells, exchanges, or offers for adoption dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and other animals commonly kept as pets. Hobby breeders, pet stores, adoption facilities, shelters, and private individuals who sell, transfer or adopt out even one animal will therefore be subject to licensing under HB707. The Illinois Animal Welfare Act currently requires licensing for pet shops only.

Licensees will be required to:
. Provide new owners with health certificates and other information such as vaccination records, breeder's name and address, and contact information for any past owners.
. Submit to an inspection of their premises by the Department of Agriculture.
. Give animals a "stimulating, enriching environment" as a component of humane living conditions. For birds this includes, but is not limited to, a variety of toys, perches of different sizes and materials, and full-spectrum lighting.

. Give birds "Good quality, wholesome food." This means "that prescribed by an avian veterinarian."

Violators would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation would constitute a Class 4 felony for every day that a violation continues.

The licensing expansion proposed in HB707 encompasses thousands of individuals, and will be extremely costly and impossible to enforce.
Moreover, it will likely force many reputable hobby breeders, rescue groups and concerned owners to abandon programs that match healthy, well-socialized animals with responsible homes. These groups provide an invaluable service to the pet-buying public and to animal control departments across the state.
Finally, HB707 uses broad, vague definitions that further add to enforcement challenges and leave even the most caring bird owner or breeder open to prosecution.

Existing Illinois law and indeed the federal Animal Welfare Act exempt hobby breeders from licensing and regulation. Congress does not believe in licensing for small-scale breeders, and neither should Illinois legislators.

Also noted, there is no indication of the fee structure to be used for these licenses, yet there is a misdemeanor to be applied if one fails to obtain a license if this law passes.

You can read the text of this bill at the following url:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/94/hb/09400hb0707.htm

[BirdsUnlimited]

If I remember correctly many on this board keep saying "there ought to be a law"... here it is. There shouldn't be a law, we have too many now. We should be governing ourselves. The last thing I want is someone to come to my store and tell me how to take care of my birds. What makes them any more of an expert than myself?

[Sherri]

Although I believe there are too many people out there that have pets when they shouldn't and that there are people out there only out to make a buck and they do not care for the animals they breed or sell, I do not believe in the licensing. All that does is provide a way for the state to make money. Chances are, it wouldn't even be enforced. It's just another way to get in our pockets.
I do believe that there should be ways to report those that are abusing pets and a way to force them to clean up things. If I see a bird in a filthy cage that is too small and no toys, it just burns me up.

[Willow]

I fully support this legislation as a rescuer and sincerely hope it passes and goes on to spread to ther states. It does not make unreasonable demads in the least, and will offer someway to identify and presecute those who choose to be unscupulous in their dealings with animals

[charliesmom]

I live in IL, and I will admit my first reaction was not a positive one. But, upon further contemplation, why not? These are common sense requirements that every bird owner should meet. If having a law on the books is the only way to ensure that these birds are getting good care, then it should be passed. After all, we've all seen birds that are being kept in horrendous conditions. In my opinion, we should do all we can to rectify that situation.

[Graehstone]

All in all it does sound pretty good huh? And if it would be done the way it is intended then it would work I think.
My personal problem is that this is just one more "finger" that the government (The Man) has in our lives.
Each of us is free to interpret as they think is correct. There are a few ways to look at some of the things proposed, like "Vet" only approved foods for your birds. That kind of leaves it open for one company to pay a certain Vet to push their product under the cover of Law and make a killing.
I am not saying that this is or will be the case, just that the possibility is there for misuse as with all other things.
Just thought I would pass the information along for everyone to make up their own minds seeing as how it was Bird related.

[Monica]

To say the least, I am for this law as it might deter people away who want pets just because they think that that pet is awesome (i.e. birds can talk so lets go get a parakeet, or dogs are great watch dogs, lets get a schnauzur) and then in turn treat these animals poorly because the animals are not up to their expectations.

Then again, I can be against this if the standards are 1, too high, or 2, the vet is an idiot in the first place and prescribes an all seed, or all pellet diet for a bird, and some of the worse foods for cats and dogs.

And add to that, what about the people who care for their animals and their animals are healthy, but by the standards they are not doing enough and they cannot afford to pay more money???

But of course sometimes I have some crazy ideas, such as to stop breeding of all animals for atleast 5 years unless these animals are for food (such as chickens, pigs, turkeys, cows, rats, mice, rabbits, etc) or they normally have a short lifespan (5 years or less) so as to try to reduce the amount of animals that are homeless and in sanctuaries/rescues. And a nice law after these 5 years to control breeding and caring of these pets in moderate to medium terms. Of course then again it would be nice for humans to stop reproducing for atleast 10 years so that we can better care for the children that have diseases or living in poverty, and to stop the spread of so many diseases... crazy ideas that will most likely never come around.... but my mind is out there....

[nursenurse44]

hey i agree with this . i hope it passes. this law will protect the consumer and the birds. the law only states what every good breeder should be doing and if a breeder objects then i wonder about that breeder.
i only wish calif had a law like this

[Dayna]

One thing I noticed is the health certificate from the vet requirement on the animals. I breed and sell cockatiel chicks, and finch chicks. If I had to go to my vet and get a health certificate for each and everyone of them I would make less than I make now, and I already spend more on these birds than I will ever make on them! I chage $150/cockatiel chick, and I called to see what it would cost to get a health certificate from my vet and they said $37.50 for the office visit, plus $175 for blood work, plus $24.85 for express mail shipping on the blood samples. So it would cost me $237.35 PER BIRD, for a health certificate as we don't get multiple bird discounts at the vet. I already spend about $6,000-$8,000 per year on my birds more than I make in breeding profits (I am a receipt saver). All this money is spent on Food, shelter, new cages, proper lighting, vet check-ups, plus emergency vet visits. And that is only for my birds, I also have 2 dogs, a Rat, and a cat!

(anyone thinking of breeding for money, think again!)

Just my 2 cents, from a breeders perspective. While I think everyone should have a setup like me, I know it is expensive and time consuming.

What if the inspector shows up early in the morning before you have a chance to change out nasty poopy overnight water? Do you get fined and charged with a crime? What if you have the flu and are just not on top of cleaning cages for a few days? Will get get charged with a crime then? At what point is this even going to be inforced? What things will they take into consideration? I just got over a 2 day long migraine in which my birds did not get the best care in the universe and I am now playing catch-up on cleaning and the like. Should I be charged with a crime?

[Lynjupiter]

Originally Posted by Graehstone

All in all it does sound pretty good huh? And if it would be done the way it is intended then it would work I think.
My personal problem is that this is just one more "finger" that the government (The Man) has in our lives.
Each of us is free to interpret as they think is correct. There are a few ways to look at some of the things proposed, like "Vet" only approved foods for your birds. That kind of leaves it open for one company to pay a certain Vet to push their product under the cover of Law and make a killing.
I am not saying that this is or will be the case, just that the possibility is there for misuse as with all other things.
Just thought I would pass the information along for everyone to make up their own minds seeing as how it was Bird related.

Yep I agree with Graeh. It is like President Bush wanting all school age kids to be checked for mental illness and then giving a pharmecutical company the contract to screen the kids. Gee that sounds ethical.

We all have ideas of a healthy diet. Some of us think pellets are the way, others thinks sprouts and natural food is the way. I would not stand for the goverment to tell me I have to feed my bird all Harrisons or what ever pellet company is handing out money to the law makers and vets. We have enough laws. It is bad enough the goverment thinks they can screen my kids mental health without my permission and that they try to control my parenting and descion making for my children. They are not going to tell me what to feed my pets!! What it comes down to anymore is a total lack of common sense. Land of the free...........BAH!
Lynda