The Chicago City Council has closed a loophole in the city’s puppy mill ordinance that allowed phony rescue organizations to “launder” animals bred in puppy mills into pet stores as “rescue” animals. The ordinance now requires that a “pet shop shall not have any ownership or monetary interest in the animals displayed for adoption. The animals may only be transferred to an adopting individual for a nominal adoption fee.” The ordinance also exempts small scale “backyard breeders” who sell directly to the public and possess 5 or fewer female dogs or cats capable of reproduction.