About us.......

Welcome to the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners, Inc. website.  

The Federation began in December of 2009 regarding legislation being pushed thru the Illinois General Assembly that was not in the best interest of all dog owners in the State of Illinois.  Since that time, we have continued to fight for the ownership rights of all dog owners in the State of Illinois. Each year there are over 25 pieces of legislation that is submitted which challenges that basic right of protecting people’s ownership rights of their personal property.

A few of our notable contributions are……….

In 2011 the Federation initiated and found sponsorship for legislation that did become law [SB1637]. This was a major victory for all dog and cat owners.

SB1637 - Microchip - Pet Recovery bill amended the Animal Control Act. It provides that when dogs or cats are impounded, they must be scanned using a universal scanner and be examined for all other currently acceptable methods of identification within 24 hours of intake of each animal. It provides that a mailed notice shall remain the primary means of contacting an owner of an impounded dog or cat; however, the Administrator shall also attempt to contact the owner by any other contact information provided, such as a telephone number or email address. It provides that any impounded animal be held for a minimum of 7 business days to allow reclamation by an owner, agent, or caretaker. It provides that if an animal has been microchipped and the owner on the chip cannot be located or refuses to reclaim the animal, attempt should be made to contact the previous owner named on the chip, as well as the agency or individual who purchased the chip, prior to euthanizing, transferring, or adoption. It provides that prior to euthanizing or transferring an animal, the animal shall be rescanned using a universal scanner, for the presence of a microchip and, if a microchip cannot be detected, examined for all other currently acceptable methods of identification, including, but not limited to, identification tags, tattoos, and rabies license tag. It provides for the prioritization of intake of animals from within the State prior to animals from outside the State. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?name=097-0240&GA=97&SessionId=84&DocTypeId=SB&DocNum=1637&GAID=11&SpecSess=&Session=

In 2013 we helped to improve language in two pieces of legislation concerning animal welfare so that the impact on dog breeders and the general public would not be as prohibitive as first introduced. [HB0083 Animal tethering and SB1639 Puppy Lemon Lawn.]

In 2015 the Federation initiated legislation that mirrored the legislation we initiated and got passed in 2011 [Public Act 97-0240] concerning scanning all stray animals taken in at Animal Control Facilities. We wanted the same rules applied to Animal Shelters with HB4029. It was an uphill battle, opposed by several groups but in the end, it was passed and signed into law. HB 4029 - Ensures that Animal Control facilities and animal shelters use best practices when scanning for a microchip and codifies the process for owner notification and return of pet. We know that there is more to do in ensuring that lost dogs find their owners, but we must take small steps to achieve large results. Illinois dog owners are better protected as a result of this legislation. It is now Public Act 99- 0310. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0310

In 2016 the Federation supported the Police Dog Retirement Bill, SB3129 requires a retiring police dog to be offered to the primary handler of the dog. If the officer does not wish to keep the dog it can be offered to another officer or employee, a nonprofit organization or a no-kill animal shelter. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0817

In 2018 we initiated and found sponsorship for a piece of legislation that would, among other provisions, provide essential data on exactly where and why animals are coming into Illinois shelters and animal control facilities, and what happens to them once they are there. SB2380 - Shelter Statistics Transparency Law requires Animal shelter to provide intake and outcome statistics for total number of dogs, cats and other animals taken into the shelter and requires Department of Agriculture to post statistics for public viewing. It also requires funds in the county animal population control fund may only be used to spay, neuter or vaccinate certain dogs and cats This includes determining how many animals are coming from outside the state and country. SB2380 was passed and the Governor signed it into law. Public Act 100-0870.  https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0817

Thank you for stopping by our web site. We are always in need of a few more dollars. Please donate to help us defend dog ownership rights in Illinois.

Steve Hayden, President

Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners, Inc.