Puppy Mills Kitten Mills Minnesota

KEY MESSAGE: Commercial dog and cat breeding is a business. And yet, unlike other industries, these businesses have not been required to obtain a State license to operate in Minnesota or to comply with standards for animal care through State inspections. Lack of State oversight has resulted in substandard and deplorable breeding conditions which harms animals, consumers and communities.

The goal of breeder regulation is to ensure healthy and safe dogs and cats in breeding facilities in Minnesota through:

• Licensing — Require commercial dog and cat breeders in Minnesota to be licensed in oreder to operate and sell dogs and cats in the State of Minnesota.

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

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

UPDATE: On May 20, 2014, the Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill was signed into law. For further details, go to: Breeder Regulation or Follow The Vote

THE SITUATION

The problem is inhumane dog and cat breeding practices in Minnesota by unscrupulous or negligent breeders, and a lack of oversight of this industry.

• No state laws (now a law! bill signed into law on May 20, 2014)

Commercial dog and cat breeders (those who produce animals for sale or resale) are businesses, yet this industry has not regulated to ensure high standards or quality conditions. Minnesota has had no State laws to regulate dog and cat breeding facilities in Minnesota — UPDATE: As of May 20, 2014, Minnesota now has a law to license, inspect and regulate commercial dog and cat breeders.

• Top producers

Minnesota is among the top producers of puppies in the United States, with some of the largest breeding kennels in the nation — housing 200, 500 or over 1,000 more dogs and puppies. Kittens are also mass-produced in Minnesota. Dog and cat breeders are located in all areas of the State.

• Substandard and deplorable conditions

While many breeders in Minnesota act responsibly, there are unscrupulous or negligent breeders who have created substandard or deplorable breeding conditions. Adult dogs and cats live their lives in small, overcrowded cages or pens and are bred repeatedly. Animals may be malnourished from inadequate food and water, receive little or no veterinary care, are stressed from constant confinement and neglect, have fleas, worms and other ailments due to unsanitary conditions, etc. With many of these type of breeders, the animals are rarely, if at all, provided positive and consistent human interaction or socialization, resulting in psychological and behavioral problems.

• Internet use keeps breeding conditions hidden

With increased use of the Internet, selling has become easier. Many breeders now operate their own website or sell through online breeder directories. By selling online, problematic breeding facilities hide their kennel conditions and make information about the owner difficult to obtain. Pleasant photographs are posted online and unhealthy animals are sold to unsuspecting consumers, who end up paying high veterinarian costs. NOTE: The USDA implemented a rule change, redefining "retail pet store." Certain breeders must now obtain a USDA license if they sell animals "sight unseen" over the Internet or by phone. For definitions and details, go to: AWA Licensing.

• Potential to get worse

Many states have passed breeder laws; however, it's been proven that some breeders then move to unregulated states. In 2009, Wisconsin passed the Commercial Dog Breeders Licensure Bill. In 2009, Iowa, too, strengthened its existing dog breeder law by including USDA-licensed breeders along with state-licensed breeders in its regulations.

CURRENT "SYSTEM" IS NOT WORKING

• Animal anti-cruelty laws are complaint-based

Animal anti-cruelty statutes in Minnesota are vital, but these laws kick in after the cruelty occurs — and only if a person sees and reports the cruelty to authorities, law enforcement investigates, and the prosecutor pursues the case. Minnesota animal anti-cruelty laws are complaint-based; if no one files a complaint, no action is taken. Regulation is preventative — allowing authorities to legally enter the property and inspect breeding facilities so conditions can be assessed and cruelty can be prevented before it occurs.

• In-state and out-of-state consumers misled

Consumers rarely file complaints if they are sold a sick animal from a breeder, website or pet store. (The choice of returning the sick animal to the store or breeder, where the animal may be killed, is not an option for many consumers.) Dog and cat registries have also led consumers to believe that an animal may be healthy by merely being "registered". Regulation will allow consumers to be better informed so as to differentiate between good and bad breeders.

• Strain on local government

Relying on cruelty investigations and prosecution as a means to encourage ethical business standards is time-consuming and costly for local law enforcement, animal control and the courts. Regulation is a more efficient use of resources because it is based on standards (i.e., a business must comply to the standards to obtain and keep its license).

• Communities forced to "clean up" mess

Tens of thousands of dogs and cats are produced by Minnesota breeders each year. Many of these animals end up in local animal shelters/humane societies or rescue groups, who must raise millions of dollars to house and treat unwanted, sick or abused animals. Local animal control facilities also care for animals, at taxpayer's expense. The breeding industry pays nothing to support these efforts. Further, thousands of dogs and cats in Minnesota are euthanized yearly due to lack of homes and resources.

• Lax USDA enforcement

Under the Animal Welfare Act, the USDA is granted authority to license and regulate certain dog/cat breeders and dealers. (As of 2013, there are approximately 35 breeders and brokers in Minnesota who are licensed by the USDA. This represents a small fraction of total breeders/brokers in Minnesota. Some of these kennels, however, are large so represent a high volume of puppy production. The number of USDA licensees will increase due to the new rule change by the USDA.) A recent audit by the Inspector General of the USDA's regulatory actions concluded that the USDA failed to properly enforce the Animal Welfare Act and protect animals from harm.

• Minnesota loses sales tax revenues

In Minnesota, the sales and purchases of pets are taxable. In 2010, Animal Folks MN conducted a study that showed 74% of sampled dog and cat breeders in Minnesota do not have an active sales tax permit. Unlike other businesses in Minnesota, dog and cat breeders are not licensed. Licensing, as a part of regulation, would make it easier for the MN Department of Revenue to collect sales (and income) tax from breeders, contributing millions of dollars in lost revenues to the State.

• Reputable breeders at disadvantage

Commercial dog and cat breeding is a business. Without regulation, reputable breeders struggle to compete with breeders who under-cut prices, and produce puppies or kittens that are sick, diseased, or have genetic problems.

SUPPORTERS

A large coalition of Minnesotans have been working hard for several years to pass legislation to regulate the dog and cat breeding industry and ensure dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are healthy and safe in breeding facilities. Efforts are supported by Minnesota humane societies, rescue groups, animal control, veterinarians, businesses, legislators, students, law enforcement, lawyers and community members. Specifically, to date:

• Over 400 Minnesota veterinarians and vet techs have signed a petition in support of dog/cat breeder regulation

• Over 50 Minnesota animal organizations are in support of breeder regulation, including the Minnesota Animal Control Association

• Over 20,000 petitions signed by Minnesotans in support of commercial dog and cat breeder regulation have been delivered to Minnesota legislators, representing every Senate and House district in the State.

QUESTIONS AND LINKS

• Want an example of how the current "system" is broken? Go to: Bauck

• Want to have a better understanding of inhumane breeding? Issue

• Want to view videos of various breeding facilities? Videos

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