Puppy Mills Kitten Mills Minnesota

The "humane pet store" bill was introduced for the 2023-2024 legislative session. This bill did not pass in 2023 but all work will continue to the 2024 legislative session.

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HUMANE PET STORE BILL: SF 1317 and HF 1276

DESCRIPTION:
This bill prohibits the pet store sale of commercially bred dogs and cats while allowing stores to host adoption events with animal shelters and rescues.

BACKGROUND:

• This bill ends the pet store sale of dogs and cats from puppy and kitten mills.

• The bill does not impact responsible breeders, as they do not sell through pet stores. Responsible breeders will be happy to meet you in person and show you where the puppy or kitten was born and raised — and where the breeding adult dogs live too.
• Pet store puppies and kittens may be sick due to conditions at the breeding facility. This bill helps to protect consumers from unknowingly supporting puppy mills with their purchase.
• The most successful pet stores - both large chains and small shops — profit from selling products, such as food, treats, and toys, and offering in-demand services, such as training or grooming.
• Puppies and kittens in Minnesota's pet stores can come from puppy mills anywhere in the country. Federal regulation of commercial breeders is minimal. A facility that is "USDA-licensed" does not guarantee humane conditions.

State efforts for this bill are supported by multiple individuals and organizations.

FURTHER DATA ON ISSUE:

Commercial dog and cat breeding facilities, known as puppy and kitten mills, mass produce puppies and kittens and supply these animals to pet stores. These breeder-supported pet stores are, in essence, the "face" of the breeding industry.

Many pet stores in Minnesota and across the nation now recognize the problem of puppy and kitten mills and the harm to adult breeding dogs and cats and their litters as well as to consumers. These stores have shifted to a "humane pet store model" by not selling commercially-bred puppies and kittens. Unfortunately, there are still some stores that continue to obtain and sell animals from puppy mills.

"Going humane" protects animals and consumers and promotes the values of Minnesota.

Animal Folks has researched this issue (pipeline between pet stores and puppy and kitten mills) for many years and has also helped pass local ordinances that prohibit pet store sales of dogs and cats from puppy and kitten mills.

For background information about this issue, go to ISSUE-puppy and kitten mills and pet stores and commercial breeders and dealers/brokers.

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