|
|
 |
issue
|
issue > pet stores > local ordinances
HUMANE PET STORE ORDINANCES Wonderful news for the animals! Nine cities in Minnesota have passed humane pet store ordinances: St. Paul, Roseville, Eden Prairie, Carver, Minneapolis, Cloquet, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, and Maple Grove. There is also a proposed ordinance for the City of Blaine. Information below.
PROPOSED: BLAINE HUMANE PET STORE ORDINANCE We are working to pass a humane pet store ordinance in the city of Blaine to stop the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores. For more information about this ordinance — plus videos, yardsign, flyer, and call to action, go to Go Humane Blaine!
ST. PAUL HUMANE PET STORE ORDINANCE On December 12, 2018, the St. Paul City Council voted unanimously to pass the humane pet store ordinance, making it the third city in Minnesota to pass such an ordinance. This was a proactive measure. Currently, there are no pet stores in St. Paul that sell dogs and cats from commercial breeding facilities. (Petland closed in 2017.) This ordinance prevents stores with an inhumane business model from moving into the city. A public hearing was held by the council on December 5, 2018 to take testimony for the ordinance. This author of this ordinance was Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Ward 2. The Executive Director of Animal Folks is a resident of Ward 2, and Animal Folks is based in St. Paul. Testifiers in support of the ordinance included:
This ordinance puts safeguards in place to protect animals and consumers, and to recognize humane business practices and community values. Numerous emails in support of the ordinance were submitted to the city council. Animal Folks submitted a multi-page document to the city council, which explained puppy mills, the harm to the breeding animals and litters, and the link to pet stores that buy from large commercial breeding facilities. (These types of pet stores regularly place orders for puppies and kittens with breeding facilities; as distributors, these stores are the face of puppy and kitten mills.) Only one individual, Kristin Smith (the former of Four Paws and a Tail, a pet store in Blaine MN that buys and sells dogs from commercial breeding facilities), testifed against the ordinance. Two letters against the ordinance came from the American Kennel Club (AKC) and PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council). Thanks to the St. Paul City Council for their support of the ordinance. Animal Folks worked closely with the Humane Society of the United States, the Animal Humane Society, and countless St. Paul residents and Minnesotans. Thanks to all those who emailed or called the the city council, and those who attended the hearing and meetings. Kudos too to Minnesotans Exposing the Pet Trade, formerly Minnesotans Exposing Petland, for their numerous protests against Petland and their efforts to inform consumers about the pet store-puppy mill pipeline. Copy of Ordinance 18-63 (Amending Chapter 347): St. Paul Humane Pet Store Ordinance Articles:
EDEN PRAIRIE HUMANE PET STORE ORDINANCE On April 17, 2018, the City of Eden Prairie voted unanimously to move forward a humane pet store ordinance — prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats acquired from puppy and kitten mills. This is a first reading of the ordinance amending City Code Chapter 9 Regulating Sales of Cats and Dogs at Pet Stores.
Currently pet stores in Eden Prairie operate with a humane model for dogs and cats (not selling dogs and cats obtained from commercial breeding facilities and, instead, working with adoption organizations). This ordinance is a pro-active measure and will prevent stores with an inhumane model from moving into Eden Prairie. As stated by City Council members:
Animal Folks worked closely with city residents, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and the Animal Humane Society on this issue. Thank you to the Eden Prairie City Council members, the city manager — and to residents who wrote emails and made phone calls in support of the ordinance.
ROSEVILLE HUMANE PET STORE ORDINANCE On March 13, 2017, the City of Roseville became the first city in Minnesota to pass a humane pet store ordinance that bans pet stores from selling dogs and cats obtained from commercial breeding facilities and promotes partnering with local animal rescues and shelters to host adoption events. The ordinance became effective 180 days later (in September 2017). Thank you to the Roseville City Council and city manager for their thoughtful discussion and action on this issue.
Animal Folks worked closely with city residents, the City of Roseville, the Animal Humane Society, and HSUS to get the pet store ordinance introduced and passed in Roseville. Animal Folks was able to document and testify to the fact that the Har Mar Pet Store, located in Roseville, had obtained puppies from a Minnesota breeder (Menning Enerprises) with over 900 dogs and puppies and four Iowa breeders, one of whom has over 500 dogs and puppies. Animal Folks had also filed a cruelty complaint against this pet store due to the USDA inspection report citing violations of law (harm to animals), a past USDA warning, and numerous complaints filed by citizens over multiple years. While given the opportunity to switch to a humane pet store model, this store did not. In December 2017 the Har Mar Pet Store closed permanently and it appears their store website is no longer active. UPDATE: The store owner now has a state license in Wisconsin to breed and sell dogs. Our Wisconsin colleagues are aware of this.
Photos above of Har Mar Pet Store front and interior.
Other Minnesota cities with humane ordinances As mentioned above, other cities in Minnesota have also passed the Humane Pet Store Ordinance. As of October 2024, this includes:
We are hoping to pass the ordinance in more Minnesota cities. If you can help (based on where you live), please email us at: info@animalfolks.org
Local government action Communities in the United States, Canada and Europe have recognized the problem of breeding facilities that mass produce puppies and kittens that are sold through pet stores to unsuspecting consumers. To address this problem, communities across the United States have passed ordinances that provide a "humane pet store model." This model focuses on two core concepts:
The humane pet store model is business-friendly, allowing pet stores to sell quality products and services and host pet adoption events at their store in conjunction with area shelters and rescues. These adoption events not only help decrease pet overpopulation and homelessness, they also encourage consumers who adopt an animal to purchase the products and services they need from the pet store. The model does not impose unduly regulations and inspections, therefore, it is not a costly burden for the city.
Why it is needed The purpose of the ordinance is to respond to the concerns of the community in regard to the conditions of animals in pet stores — in a way that addresses the systemic nature of the problem, which includes the origin of the puppies and kittens arriving in pet stores for sale. The humane pet store model will:
Ordinances passed nationwide Below is a link to jurisdictions with retail pet store bans: As of January 2024, over 480 localities have passed humane pet store ordinances. Multiple states have passed similar legislation to address the puppy mill-pet store pipeline. City council members and authorities across the U.S. are responding to this issue.
ARTICLES: HISTORICAL Below are links to a few articles about banning the retail sale of dogs and cats. NOTE: These links are older (historical).
|
 |
"));
