contact the MN Board of Animal Health (B.A.H.)

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) "manages voluntary and mandatory programs that focus on controlling and eradicating animal disease in Minnesota's domestic animal populations" (per BAH website). The State Veterinarian heads up the Board of Animal Health.

Address:

MN Board of Animal Health

625 Robert St N

St. Paul, MN  55155

General: 651-296-2942
1-800-627-3529 (TTY)

AUTHORITY:

Commercial Dog and Cat Breeder Law

The MN Commercial Dog and Cat Breeder Bill gives authority to the MN Board of Animal Health to register and license commercial dog and cat breeders who meet the definition per the law, and to also conduct inspections, enforce animal care standards, and impose penalties (on those who violate the law). If you suspect or know of a dog or cat breeder who may need to be licensed, contact the Board of Animal Health Dog and Cat Division. Contact information is on the BAH website.

In the email, be sure to include:

Unlicensed Breeder Information

• the breeder's name or kennel name

• breeder's address, city and zipcode

• breeder's phone number

• breeder's website

• if known, estimated number of animals on premises

• if available GPS coordinates or directions to the location

Your Contact information

• your name, address, city, zipcode

• your email and phone number

A commercial dog or cat breeder is defined in the law as a person who possesses or is engaged in the business of breeding animals for sale or for exchange in return for consideration, and who possesses ten or more adult intact animals and whose animals produce more than five total litters of puppies or kittens per year.

NOTE: The Board also enforces the MN Kennels and Dealers Law for those entities that meet the definition of that law; i.e., animal shelters that accept stray animals.

Certificates of Veterinary Inspection

The Board of Animal Health (BAH) is responsible for receiving all Certificates of Inspection from veterinarians for animals transported across state lines. Individuals or busineses who sell and ship animals to other states must have their veterinarian inspect each animal for infectious or contagious diseases. The veterinarian must then sign and submit the certificate to the B.A.H. It is illegal to transport an animal across state lines without this certificate. (Some exceptions apply per the Rules.)

Diseased animals

Per MN Statute 35.92, the Board of Animal Health has been given the authority to enforce Minnesota Statutes Chapter 35 Animal Health. Per MN Statute 35.05, a person who "knows or reasonably suspects that a contagious or infectious disease exists in a domestic animal shall immediately notify the board." Per MN Statute 35.93, the Board may take administrative action, such as "investigate and issue a written cease and desist, stop-sale, stop-use, or removal order or other remedial action to the owner, custodian, or other responsible party."

• For a general list of infectious dog diseases, go to: Dog Diseases