Under existing law, dogs coming into Illinois for sale or resale must be accompanied by an official health certificate, and other companion animals (except fish) imported into the state must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection attesting that the animal does not exhibit visible signs of communicable disease. “Exotic or non-domestic” animals also must be accompanied by a Department of Agriculture permit.

Under the proposed rules, all animals imported into the state would have to be accompanied by both a health certificate and an entry permit number assigned by the department. Dogs being brought in for performances, exhibitions or breeding are exempt from the health certificate requirements, as are fish. However, fish are not explicitly exempted from the entry permit mandate, even though that may have been the department’s intent, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington), which is seeking clarification.

The rulemaking also would establish new standards for kennels where dogs are housed “in a socialized and commingled environment for less than 24 consecutive hours at a time.” Such facilities would be required to:
• Clean all common and play areas after each group use or every 12 hours (whichever occurs first).
• Place dogs in group housing only with permission of a dog’s owner.
• Accept only dogs currently vaccinated for rabies, distemper and parvovirus.
• Accept only dogs that have no visual signs of external parasites and that have had a fecal exam showing negative results for internal parasites within the last 12 months.
• Ensure no dogs that appear ill are commingled until certified healthy by a licensed veterinarian.

At press time, a hearing was scheduled for Oct. 26. [December 2006 PET AGE]