PLEASE GET INVOLVED
TO STOP THE SUFFERING
SPEAK UP for Minnesota Dogs & Cats
SUPPORT S.F. 462 / H.F. 702
Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation
Thank you for your interest in helping with the Minnesota Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation bill effort (also known as the puppy and kitten mill bill). A database has been created of Minnesotans interested in helping. We will email you when the bill is under consideration and needs specific action (i.e., contacting House or Senate committee members). This is a highly collaborative effort among humane societies, rescue groups, animal control, humane agents, veterinarians and citizens and has a long list of supporting organizations. This Coalition has been working together for several years to help pass legislation that addresses the problem.
The following information is needed in order to add your name to this database:
Name
Email address
City, State, zip code
State Senate District
State House District
If you don’t know who your State Senator and Representative are (or your district), you can find that information at: http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
Status
S.F. 462 has been introduced in the Minnesota Senate by Senator Barb Goodwin, and H.F. 702 has been introduced in the Minnesota House by Representative John Lesch.
Hearings
As soon as the bills are granted a hearing in a committee, we will email you and let you know the names and phone numbers of the committee members for you to contact; and we will send you a short message to convey. It will be important to call them within a day or two of receiving the email to let them know of your support. Be sure to always mention the bill numbers and authors’ names because multiple bills have been introduced this year.
The Problem
There is no State oversight and there are no State laws, inspections or regulations covering dog and cat breeding facilities in Minnesota.
The problem is inhumane breeding practices. Minnesota is among the top producers of puppies in the United States with some of the largest breeding kennels in the nation - housing 300, 600 or over 1,000 dogs and puppies. Kittens are also mass-produced in Minnesota. Many dogs and cats live out their lives in small, overcrowded wire cages and are bred repeatedly. Their cages are often stacked, allowing feces and urine to fall onto the animals below. Animals may be malnourished from inadequate food and water, receive little or no veterinary care, are stressed from constant confinement and neglect, have fleas, worms, etc. Many have deformed paws, are severely matted, or are burned from sitting and standing in urine and feces. And, they are rarely, if at all, provided human socialization.
While many breeders in Minnesota act responsibly, there are increasing reports of those who keep dogs and cats in deplorable conditions and who are willing to make a profit at the expense of the animals’ health and wellbeing. The puppies and kittens are sold to the public and many are sick, diseased, and have genetic problems.
USDA Licensed and Unlicensed
USDA licensed - Only breeders who breed and deal puppies and kittens wholesale
(e.g., pet shops, etc.) are licensed and inspected by the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA inspection reports show multiple
ongoing violations and enforcement is lacking.
Unlicensed - All breeders, including USDA licensed, can sell directly to the public, such as through websites, parking lots or newspaper ads - none of these activities are regulated.
Current "System" is not Working
The current "system" used in Minnesota to address animal neglect
and cruelty is complaint-based - i.e., a person must see the inhumane conditions
and report the cruelty or neglect to authorities; law enforcement may then
decide to investigate and pursue a case; and a prosecutor may choose to
take the case.
Animal anti-cruelty laws kick in after the cruelty occurs - if someone files a complaint and if action is taken. Regulation is preventative - allowing authorities to legally enter the property and inspect breeding facilities so conditions can be assessed and cruelty can be prevented before it occurs. Relying solely on reporting, cruelty investigations and prosecution is time-consuming and costly for local law enforcement, animal control, nonprofit animal shelters and rescue organizations, and the courts. Regulation is a more efficient use of resources.
Sales Tax
Important to note: many breeders are not paying the required State sales
tax on the puppies and kittens sold, resulting in millions of dollars
of lost revenue to the State.
The Solution
S.F. 462 and H.F. 702 address the problem by giving the State of Minnesota the authority to:
- License - Require commercial dog and cat breeders in Minnesota to be licensed;
- Inspect and Enforce - Give legal authority to the Board of Animal Health to inspect commercial dog and cat breeding facilities and enforce existing State laws to ensure animal care standards are met; and
- Penalties - Impose civil, administrative and criminal penalties for those who violate the law.
S.F. 462 and H.F. 702 are responsible bills because they address the core problem, work hand-in-hand with existing Minnesota anti-cruelty laws, and have strong support by a large coalition of humane societies, rescue groups, animal control, humane agents, veterinarians, and citizens from across the State. This issue is about human responsibility - requiring breeders to act responsibly and humanely. The goal of breeder regulation is healthy and safe dogs and cats.
Action to Take Now
It is very important for you to contact your own State Senator and Representative now and ask them to support S.F. 462 (authored by Sen. Goodwin) and H.F. 702 (authored by Rep. Lesch) and educate them on what goes on in Minnesota dog and cat breeding facilities. Getting to know your own legislators is very important; relationships are key to winning trust and votes.
Because our neighboring states (Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska) all having breeder regulation laws on the books, Minnesota will soon become a “safe haven” for inhumane breeders to move.
If you don’t know who your State Senator and Representative are (or your district), you can find that information at: http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
For more information about what the bill does, please see the attached flyer. Please print and distribute it widely.
To learn more about dog and cat breeding in Minnesota, sign a petition and more, please visit www.animalfolksmn.org
Get Others Involved: Please ask your family and friends to join this effort by emailing us and requesting to be added to the database – stopthesuffering@yahoo.com
Thank you for caring and getting involved.