Aurora, IL Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Retail sourcing rule
- Shelter/rescue animals only
- State law tie-in
- 225 ILCS 605/3.8
- License required
- State of Illinois license
- Also required
- Chapter 25 business registration
Summary
Aurora, Illinois (Kane County) limits pet shops to selling dogs and cats sourced from animal control facilities or shelters, not commercial breeders, under its retail pet-sale ordinance.
...a pet shop may offer for sale a dog or cat only if the dog or cat is obtained from an animal control facility or animal shelter, located in-state or out-of-state, that is in compliance with Section 3.9 of the Act. Pet shops must comply with all requirements of Section 3.8 of the Act, including, but not limited to, the recordkeeping requirements for the sale of any dog or cat.
Full Breakdown
Aurora Code § 9-4 requires every pet shop operator, kennel, dog dealer, or other animal-related business operating anywhere in Aurora, Illinois, including the Kane, DuPage, Will, and Kendall County portions of the city, to hold a State of Illinois license before dealing in birds, companion animals, or dangerous animals. Under the same section, a pet shop may offer a dog or cat for sale only if it comes from an animal control facility or shelter that complies with the Illinois Animal Welfare Act, effectively barring commercial-breeder sourcing. Businesses must also register under Chapter 25 and keep required sale records.
Violations & Fines
Selling a commercially-sourced dog or cat, or operating without a State of Illinois license, violates § 9-4 and can trigger Animal Care & Control and business-licensing enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet shop in Aurora, Illinois sell commercially bred puppies?
Do pet stores need a special license to operate in Aurora?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
Compare Aurora to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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