legislation > MN Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill

The Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill has been introduced for the 2013-2014 Minnesota Legislative session. (Session started January 8, 2013.) Bill numbers are: S.F. 36 (author Sen. John Marty) and H.F. 84 (author Representative John Lesch).

STATUS:

• H.F. 84 passed the House Civil Law Committee on February 13 (amended).

• H.F. 84 passed the House Public Safety Finance and Policy committee on February 21.

• H.F. 84 passed the House Government Operations committee on March 5 (amended).

• H.F. 84 was referred to the House Agriculture Policy committee; it was not granted a hearing before the policy committee deadline of March 15.

• Companion bill S.F. 36 was not granted a hearing in the Senate Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Due to no hearings granted in the Agriculture policy committees, S.F. 36/H.F. 84 did not meet the committee deadlines in 2013; however, the bills are still alive. Minnesota operates on a two year biennial session. This means all work accomplished this year (2013) will apply to next year when the session begins again in February 2014. The bills will continue where they left off; they don't have to be heard again in the committees they passed.

Animal Folks MN and other coalition memebrs will continue to lobby and advocate during the interim months; we'll post updates here. Your help is needed prior to 2014 — please meet with your State legislators and ask them to support the breeder bill. 

For further details about the bill status, go to: Follow The Vote

BILL HIGHLIGHTS

The Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill (S.F. 36/H.F. 84) will provide protection of dogs and cats in Minnesota commercial breeding facilities through:

• Licensing — Require commercial dog and cat breeders in Minnesota to be licensed.

• Inspections and Enforcement— Give the Minnesota Board of Animal Health the authority to inspect commercial dog and cat breeding facilities and enfore existing State laws to ensure animal care standards are met; and

• Penalties — Impose civil, administrative and criminal penalties for those who violate the law.

LINKS TO BILL

The links below provide the bill language, bill status, authors/co-authors and other information applicable to S.F. 36 and H.F. 84 as each progresses through the Minnesota Senate and House.

• S.F. 36

• H.F. 84 (2nd Engrossment)

To learn more about the bill and need for regulation, go to:

• Q & A

• Talking Points

LED BY MINNESOTANS

Minnesotans have been working hard for several years to pass legislation to regulate commercial dog and cat breeders and ensure dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are healthy and safe in breeding facilities. 

• Over 380 Minnesota veterinarians and vet techs have signed the petition in support of breeder regulation

• Over 50 Minnesota animal organizations, including the Minnesota Animal Control Association, have joined in support

• Over 19,000 petitions signed by Minnesotans in support of commercial dog and cat breeder regulation were delivered to State legislators

The first breeder bill was introduced years ago, when the issue of inhumane dog and cat breeding practices was not known or understood at the Capitol. Over the years, legislators have been educated about the problem and bill language has changed based on input from various stakeholders.

The SPEAK UP for Dogs and Cats coalition has and continues to work closely with legislators, the public and other parties who have an interest in this issue and legislation. Coalition members include: A Rotta Love Plus, Animal Folks MN, Animal Humane Society, Minnesota Animal Control Association, Minnesota Humane Society, Minnesota Voters for Animal Protection, Minnkota Persian Rescue, Pause 4 Paws, Pet Haven Inc. of Minnesota, Retrieve A Golden of Minnesota, Second Chance Animal Rescue and Tri-County Humane Society. These efforts are also supported by numerous other citizens and organizations, including humane societies, rescue groups, animal control, prosecutors, veterinarians,

law enforcement, students, animal protection and advocacy organizations, businesses

and community members representing the interests of Minnesota.

TAKE ACTION

Please continue to educate legislators about this issue and the need for regulation.

• Educate legislators: Contact Legislators

• Distribute materials about breeder regulation: Downloads

• Get people to sign the petition: Sign Petition

• Learn more about inhumane dog and cat breeding: Issue

• To better understand the bill-making process: How A Bill Becomes Law

• The Minnesota Legislature meets on a two-year cycle called a biennium.