IL SR1592

Designates April 2018 as Animal Cruelty Prevention Month in Illinois to raise awareness about animal abuse and neglect.

Recognizes that an animal is abused every ten seconds, with neglect being the most common form of reported cruelty, including failure to provide basic needs, hoarding, lack of shelter or veterinary care, tethering, and abandonment.

Notes the documented link between animal cruelty and violence against people, including domestic violence, and encourages reporting direct abuse to law enforcement.

Encourages consumers to purchase cruelty-free products and promotes pet adoption from shelters, where approximately 3.4 million cats and 3.9 million dogs enter annually.

Acknowledges Illinois's existing policies to protect animals and calls for community awareness and advocacy to stop animal cruelty across the state.