action > contact your State legislators

To find your political district and legislators (who represents you), go to: 

Minnesota District Finder

The above link lists who represents you at the state level (Minnesota House and Senate) and the federal level (U.S. House and Senate). Minnesota state legislators vote on state bills and Minnesota federal legislators vote on federal bills.

NOTE: The Minnesota 2013-2014 Legislative Session started on January 8, 2013 and ended May 20, 2013. As Minnesota works on a two-year cycle, the second half of the 2013-2014 session will begin February 25, 2014. 

Easy to use

The online District Finder is extremely easy to use. Once on the site, you’ll be asked to enter your address, city, state and zipcode. The site will then give your district along with the names, email addresses, phone numbers and a photo of your legislators.

Or, if you're in the metro area, call 1-651-296-2146 (House Public Information Services) and asks who represents you based on your address/city/zip. Out of the metro area, call 1-800-657-3550. The ‘651’ number is the House switchboard and they will connect you directly to your Representative’s or Senator’s office.

What to say or write

Legislators want to hear directly from constituents. All accept calls, emails or letters. (Calls work best because not all legislators respond to emails.)

If you call, the legislator may pick up the phone and you can speak with him or her directly. But, in most cases, you’ll reach the legislator's voicemail (and you can leave a message) or you'll speak with a legislative aide. The aide will take your name and comments. If you haven’t called before, just be yourself. Speak from the heart. Keep it short, yet personal.

Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill (S.F. 36/H.F. 84)

Some suggestions:

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a constituent of the legislator, please state that. He or she needs to know that. If you are calling legislators from other districts, it is not necessary to state your city.

• To your State Senator you could say: "My name is ______________(full name). I'm asking that Senator _____________ (his or her name) vote in favor of S.F. 36, the Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill. This bill will help protect dogs and cats in breeding facilities by requiring that commercial dog and cat breeders get licensed, be inspected and follow animal care standards. Please support S.F. 36. Thank you." Find your Senator
• To your State Representative you could say: "My name is _______________ (full name). I'm asking that Representative ______________ (his or her name) vote in favor of H.F. 84, the Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill. This bill will help protect dogs and cats in breeding facilities by requiring that commercial dog and cat breeders get licensed, be inspected and follow animal care standards. Please support H.F. 84. Thank you."  Find your Representative
• If there's time or if the legislator asks why, briefly explain why this issue is important to you and your family: Maybe you have a dog or cat that you care about dearly, or have rescued animals from puppy and kitten mills. Maybe you've been sold a sick dog or cat and have seen firsthand the effects of inhumane breeding. Minnesota has no state laws to regulate dog and cat breeders and, as a result, animals are harmed, consumers are sold unhealthy pets, and communities, including law enforcement, the courts, humane societies and rescue groups, must "clean up" the problem without financial support from the breeding industry.
• THE GOVERNOR: The bill must first be voted on by the full House and Senate before it reaches the Governor to be signed into law. Governor Dayton has publicly stated support for S.F. 36/H.F. 84. Please thank him for his support and continue to inform him about this issue and the need for breeder regulation (to help prevent animal neglect and cruelty). You could say: "My name is ________________(full name). I am a Minnesota resident. I am calling about the problem of inhumane dog and cat breeding conditions in Minnesota and the need for regulation of commercial dog and cat breeders. I have heard that Governor Dayton supports the Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill (S.F. 36 and H.F. 84) which will license, inspect and regulate commercial dog and cat breeders. I am asking that the Governor's Office will do everything possible to help get this much-needed bill passed. Thank you."

MN Governor Mark Dayton contact info:

Phone: 651-201-3400

Toll Free: 800-657-3717

Fax: 651-797-1850

Email contact form: Governor Dayton

For further details, go to Q & A or Talking Points.  Or other pages on this website.

IMPORTANT: Some legislators have already publicly expressed their support for breeder regulation. Ask your legislators their stance. Some may have signed on "officially" as co-authors. To check names of co-authors, go to:

S.F. 36

H.F. 84

Legislator Responses

All legislators vary in how and when they respond to constituents.

• Some legislators answer their own emails; some do not. Some prefer phone calls or letters. Some respond in days; others take months.
• Many times the legislative aide responds and may send a "form" email or letter to you. Because a legislator or aide may not know the details of every bill at the Legislature, they may choose from a variety of generic responses that have already been written: 1) support; 2) neutral; or 3) against. This is why it's important to get to know your legislators and provide them with information and insight — so they learn to trust you and your opinion and their responses reflect this insight.
• Even though certain legislators express opposition, they cannot ignore constituents with firsthand knowledge and stories that relate to their community.
• Some people and organizations provide legislators with misinformation. Sometimes this is done intentionally (so as to confuse legislators); sometimes it's based on ignorance (they may not have the facts). If a legislator opposes the bill, ask why. Every conversation is an opportunity to  inform and educate.

To review a few statements from last session made by certain legislators or groups who oppose breeder regulation (and responses to those statements), go to Opposition.

If you hear from your legislators, please forward responses to Animal Folks MN.