Business Licenses and Permits

Nobody said starting a new business enterprise is easy.  A variety of tasks must be completed for virtually all businesses.  However, at least with respect to state licensing requirements, opening a pet store in Illinois is a breeze compared with other businesses.  According to the 2009/2010 Pet Owners Survey, 62% of U.S. households own a pet.  This roughly equates to 71.4 million homes.  The American Pet Products Association reports that U.S. consumers spent approximately $45.5 billion on their pets in 2009.  That’s a lot of kibble.

The Department of Agriculture Bureau of Health and Welfare licenses pet stores in Illinois.  Here are a few notable details regarding the process of securing a license to operate as a Pet Shop Operator, Cattery Operator, Dog Dealer, Kennel Operator, Animal Control Facility, Animal Shelter, or Guard Dog Service:

• Only one license is required to operate any combination of these businesses at one location except when one of the business activities is a Guard Dog Service which will require an additional license.
• The application fee is a bargain at $25.
• The license must be renewed annually on July 1.
• Upon submitting the application the licensing agency will conduct a preliminary inspection of the business.
• Applicants must provide details on business experience or connections related to the business activity.
• Details must be provided outlining specific procedures and plans for: maintaining clean cages, preventing infestation by parasites and vermin, heating and ventilation of the facility, transporting animals, releasing healthy animals that are free of disease, providing veterinary care for the animals, and other plans aimed at promoting sound animal health and welfare.
• Section 10-659c of the Administrative Procedures Act requires the applicant to certify under penalty of perjury that they are not more than 30 days delinquent in complying with a child support order.

Thinking about opening a pet store in Illinois?  Be sure to secure your Department of Agriculture Bureau of Health and Welfare license.  No bones about it.  The good citizens of Illinois will appreciate having more options for making a pet the newest member of their families.

Steve Elias, Team Leader-Business License Research Team, Corporation Service Company

Story Sources:

Illinois Department of Agriculture

American Pet Products Association