The Perfect Pup
2400 E Main St
St. Charles, IL 60174
(630) 444-1404
Date and time of CAPS investigation: 6/29/2024, 12:30 p.m.
Approximate number of puppies observed at time of investigation: 3 puppies
The store is in a strip mall. When you walk up to the store, you can’t see inside because the windows are tinted black. On the door it says, “ By Appointment Only.”
I walked in, and there was nothing inside the store except the puppies. Three puppies were in individual glass enclosures on the floor. The owner, Chris Cesario, said “You have to have an appointment to view the puppies.” I said, “Why do I have to have an appointment? I’m here right now, and so are the puppies.” She then told me that the Illinois Department of Agriculture only let her have a dog dealer license. She can’t sell the dogs in the store. I then said “This is a store, and I am standing right here and you are selling dogs”. She then said, “I know. Tell me about it. You should ask the state why we can’t sell them at the store.” She told me to go to the website and make an appointment to see the dogs. I said I thought you had supplies and food for sale. She said the Department Of Agriculture won’t let her sell any cages, toys, food, etc.
I asked her if I could make an appointment for five minutes from now. She said that I should go to the counter and make an appointment. There was a young man behind the counter who took my name and phone number.
I asked her about the source of their puppies. She told me that they get them from breeders all over the country. I then walked over to one of the glass enclosures and asked for the price of a King Charles Spaniel I think she said $3100, but I couldn’t hear her very well. I requested the name of the breeder, which she said was John Jamison in Ohio. When I asked if Jamison ran a puppy mill, she denied that he did. She told me the dog was already neutered because he had an umbilical hernia, so the puppy was neutered at the same time he had a hernia repair. She said umbilical hernias are very common in puppies.
I asked her if financing was available, and she said it wasn’t. I told her I have to talk to my husband and would be back later that day.
The Perfect Pup is violating 225 ILCS 605 by selling puppies
(225 ILCS 605/3.8)
Sec. 3.8. Prohibition Sourcing of dogs and cats sold by pet shops; recordkeeping.
(a) A pet shop operator 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.
Breeder information obtained while in the store
John Jamison, 9708 Painter Creek-Arcanum, Arcanum, OH- 31-A-0299. 159 adults, 110 puppies at 2/16/23 USDA inspection.
Breeder information from 2023 Certificates of Veterinary Inspection
Phil Hoover LLC, 13872 State Hwy. 15, Memphis MO, 43-A-5673, 333 adults, 189 puppies at 9/22/23 USDA inspection. Hoover sells thtough the online brokering site, PBT Marketplace.
Puppy Lodge LLC, 33600 TR 219 Millersburg OH, 31-B-0230, 86 adults, 124 puppies at 9/27/23 USDA inspection
