HISTORICAL DATA ABOUT BREEDER LAW:

'SPEAK UP FOR MINNESOTA DOGS & CATS' RALLY

WAS HELD IN FEBRUARY 2013. Photos below.

The SPEAK UP for Dogs & Cats RALLY was held indoors at the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. Even though the temperature outdoors was freezing (-20 degree F windchill), hundreds of people from all across Minnesota bundled up and showed up to support the MN Dog and Cat Breeder Bill (S.F. 36/H.F. 84), which will help protect animals in commercial dog and cat breeding facilities. 

The chant "Breeder Bill Pass It Now!" could be heard loudly throughout the Capitol. People came wearing red in solidarity. Multiple animal rescue groups, humane societies and other organizations were represented. The energy was fantastic!

News: Governor Mark Dayton spoke at the RALLY (see photos and link below) and expressed his support for breeder regulation. Having viewed some of the photos of horrific breeding conditions, the Governor stated that "there is no place for that in Minnesota" and called animal cruelty "unMinnesotan." Further, he said "we'll do everything possible" to pass the bill and help protect animals in commercial dog and cat breeding facilities.

Bill authors Representative John Lesch and Senator John Marty and co-author Senator Scott Dibble also spoke powerfully at the RALLY and energized the crowd. A line-up of animal advocates (names listed at bottom of this page) followed the legislators, speaking about the problem and need for breeder regulation and gave individual stories.

The SPEAK UP for Minnesota Dogs & Cats RALLY was a great success! Thank you to everyone — who came in person or were there in spirit. 

ARTICLE, PHOTOS, VIDEO: MN Animal Advocates Rally for Pet Breeder Bill

Governor Mark Dayton spoke at the SPEAK UP RALLY and gave his support.

Copyright 2013 AP

Supporters from all across Minnesota, representing multiple organizations, spoke up at RALLY. Copyright 2013 posted by Glen Stubbe; Star Tribune

Crowd at SPEAK UP RALLY. Copyright 2013; Minnesota Humane Society

Representative John Lesch at podium speaking, author of H.F. 84.

Copyright 2013; Credit: Second Chance Animal Rescue

Senator John Marty at podium speaking, author of S.F. 36.

Copyright 2013; Credit: Second Chance Animal Rescue

S.F. 36 co-author Senator Scott Dibble spoke, encouraging people to contact their State legislators. Copyright 2013; Credit: Second Chance Animal Rescue

Crowd at RALLY with photo of dog rescued from breeder; legs deformed.

Copyright 2013; posted by Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune blog

Crowd photo. Left view. Copyright 2013; M. Chanrasmi

Crowd on second level of the MN State Capitol Rotunda.

Copyright 2013; Photo credit: Second Chance Animal Rescue

Nancy Minion, of Second Chance Animal Rescue and

legislative lead for S.F. 36/HF. 84, introduced Governor Dayton.

Copyright 2013. Photo: Second Chance Animal Rescue

Ann Olson, Founder and Executive Director of Animal Folks MN,

speaking at RALLY. Copyright 2013. Photo: Second Chance Animal Rescue

Janelle Dixon, CEO of Animal Humane Society, speaking at RALLY.

Copyright 2013. Photo credit: Second Chance Animal Rescue

Karen Scott, VP, Pet Haven Inc. of Minnesota (rescue organization), speaking.

Copyright 2013; M. Chanrasmi

Crowd at RALLY. Copyright 2013; Animal Folks MN / Patrick Algyer

Crowd photo. Right view. Copyright 2013; M. Chanrasmi

View of 1st floor at RALLY. Ann Olson (AFMN) at podium. Greg Cruz leading chant. Deb Ouelette (Rally Coodinator, Animal Folks MN) in back at left by banner. Copyright 2013: Photo credit: Marilou Chanrasmi, Leech Lake Legacy

The crowd chanted "Breeder Bill - Pass It Now." Heard throughout the Capitol.

Copyright 2013; photo credit Minnesota Humane Society

Supporters at the RALLY with "invisible dog leashes." Advocates walked the Capitol hallways with the leashes to promote all the dogs and cats unseen and untouched due no regulation. Copyright 2013; Second Chance Animal Rescue  

Multiple speakers were heard at the RALLY. Stories told were emotional.

Copyright 2013; posted by Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune blog

Supporters listen as speakers explain the need for breeder regulation. Many advocates see the problem firsthand and care for animals from breeding facilities. Copyright 2013; Photo credit: Second Chance Animal Rescue

Banners showed examples of deplorable breeding conditions. Homemade signs reenforced the message. Copyright 2013; Second Chance Animal Rescue

Media from local television stations and newspapers were at the RALLY

covering the story. Copyright 2013; Second Chance Animal Rescue

Part of the SPEAK UP for Dogs & Cats coalition, Minnesota Humane Society (MHS) helped with the "invisible dog leash" campaign (left table). Table at right

is Animal Folks MN. Copyright 2013; Second Chance Animal Rescue

As part of the SPEAK UP for Dogs & Cats coalition,

Animal Humane Society (AHS) had a table describing its investigation efforts.

Photo taken during set-up. Copyright 2013; M. Chanrasmi.

As part of the SPEAK UP for Dogs & Cats coalition, Minnesota Voters for

Animal Protection had a table at the RALLY and coordinated legislative outreach (connecting citizens with their legislators). Copyright 2013; MVAP

Photo of the RALLY and Rotunda. Copyright 2013; Animal Folks MN/P.Algyer

Many Minnesotans drove from miles away to attend the RALLY and

SPEAK UP for animals. Copyright 2013; Second Chance Animal Rescue

Voices for the animals. Jenny Fitzer from Leech Lake Legacy; Jill Goldstein from Pause 4 Paws; Diane Dunker, who spoke at the RALLY about rescued dog Gert. Copyright 2013; M. Chanrasmi

Young supporter of the Dog & Cat Breeder Bill. Copyright 2013, D. Carter

The MN State Capitol. Ceiling. Copyright 2013; Second Chance Animal Rescue

NEWS ABOUT THE RALLY

• http://kstp.com/news/stories/S2936215.shtml?cat=1 (same as link on top)

• http://www.examiner.com/article/advocates-gather-at-minn-state-capitol-to-rally-for-breeder-regulation

• http://www.kare11.com/news/article/1011918/396/Animal-advocates-rally-at-Minn-Capitol

• http://www.startribune.com/politics/blogs/191901611.html

• http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/02/19/bill-hopes-to-stop-unethical-breeders-in-minnesota/

• http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/01/18/bill-aims-to-stamp-out-minn-puppy-mills/

• http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/02/19/animal-advocates-rally-at-minn-capitol/

• http://www.southernminn.com/blooming_prairie_leader/news/article_3819d188-1f66-5cf7-ad7e-85d198a76078.html

• http://www.sctimes.com/viewart/20130219/NEWS01/302190049/Animal-advocates-rally-Minnesota-Capitol

• http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/02/19/politics/animal-advocates-capitol-rally

• http://www.kaaltv.com/article/stories/S2936217.shtml?cat=10151

• http://www.bringmethenews.com/2013/02/19/dayton-backs-bill-aimed-at-squelching-puppy-mills/

THANKS TO:

The SPEAK UP for Minnesota Dogs & Cats coalition presented the Rally. The event was organized by Animal Folks MN with assistance from coalition members and hundreds of other individuals who promoted and posted the RALLY and also assisted the day of. Speakers at the RALLY included:

• Governor Mark Dayton

• Representative John Lesch (author of H.F. 84)

• Senator John Marty (author of S.F. 36)

• Nancy Minion, legislative lead S.F. 36/H.F. 84, Second Chance Animal Rescue

• Ann Olson, Founder and Executive Director of Animal Folks MN

• Janelle Dixon, CEO of Animal Humane Society (AHS)

• Karen Scott, Vice President of Pet Haven Inc. of Minnesota

• Dr. Lisa McCargar, veterinarian

• Kathy DuVall, Faerieland Rescue

• Danna Kedrowski

• Diane Dunker

• Christine Coughlin, president of MN Voters for Animal Protection

Thanks to Deb Ouellette (Rally Coordinator, AFMN) and Jenna Berneck (Rally Volunteer Coordinator, AFMN); Jeff Moravec (AHS) who coordinated the media; Jill Goldstein (Pause 4 Paws), Mike Tincher (T Design), Linda Challeen (Minnesota Humane Society), John Fahrendorf (AFMN), Arianna Pittman (AFMN), Ali Jarvis (Sidewalk Dog, Inc.), Amy Lake (AHS) and numerous other volunteers who gave of their time and money to help SPEAK UP for animals.