MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE JOINT TASK FORCE ON BREEDERS AND PET STORES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2009

MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE JOINT TASK FORCE ON BREEDERS AND PET STORES
First Public Meeting to be held Monday, June 22

SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will hold the first meeting of the Joint Task Force on Breeders and Pet Stores on Monday, June 22 at 9am in the Artisan's Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Task Force was established by Senate Joint Resolution 56 (SJR 56). The initial meeting will be open to the public. Doors will open at 8:30 am.

SJR 56 called for the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture to appoint the Chairman and several members of the Task Force to give recommendations to the General Assembly regarding comprehensive legislative changes to the Animal Welfare Act and the Humane Care for Animals Act. The Task Force will hold a series of meetings between now and the end of the year.

The following is a list of the members appointed to the Joint Task Force on Breeders and Pet Stores:

Name	Position	City
Dr. Mark Ernst, IDOA	Chair	Springfield, IL
Jordan Matyas, HSUS	National Organization	Chicago, IL
Cori Menken, ASPCA	National Organization	North Bergen, NJ
Erika Walsh, ASA Sloughi Rescue	Animal Rescue Community	St. Charles, IL
Tom VanWinkle, Animal Care League	Shelter Community	Riverside, IL
Sally Westerhoff, Quincy Humane Society	Shelter Community	Fowler, IL
Ronald Berning, Happiness Is Pets	Pet Store Industry	Lemont, IL
Michelle Kasten, Belle City Kennel Club	Small Scale Breeding Community	O'Fallon, IL
Mary Jo Trimble, Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources	Sporting Dog Community	Carterville, IL
Dr. Steve Dullard, Ancare Veterinary Clinic, PC	Illinois Veterinarians	Mendota, IL
Christina Lee, Illinois Professional Pet Breeders Association	Large Scale Breeding Community	Norris City, IL

Future meeting times will be discussed and set at the June 22^nd meeting. For more information about the Joint Task Force on Breeders and Pet Stores, you can call Jeff Williams at 217-782-9013. Written comments can be submitted to the Task Force online at www.agr.state.il.us
after June 18^th.

It is the policy of the Illinois Department of Agriculture to comply with the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et. seq. Any individual needing reasonable accommodation should make request in advance to Brent Eggleston at 217/524-5125 or Brent.Eggleston@illinois.gov

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