Minnesota is known for its puppy mills — commercial (industrial) dog breeders where puppies are mass produced for sale and profit and the mother and father dogs are confined in the cages or pens and bred repeatedly for years, often in conditions that place the health and welfare of these animals in danger.

Puppy Mill Capitol of Minnesota

Animal Folks is also working with residents in Winona County to ask the county board to ban further permits to industrial dog breeding facilities and address conditions and compliance measures for the already 12 permitted breeding kennels. 

A website has been created to provide further details about indsutrial dog breeders in Winona County, the permitting process, and actions you can take. Go to:

www.speakupwinonacounty.org

WHAT YOU CAN DO

There are a significant number of industrial dog breeding facilities in Winona County, all of whom confine numerous adult dogs for years to mass produce puppies for profit.

To stop this outdated and harmful business model, we ask residents of Winona County to contact the Winona County Board and recommend:

No further permits for industrial dog breeding in Winona County and a review of conditions and compliance measures for breeding kennels already permitted. Request that the welfare of the dogs be prioritized. 

If you live in Winona County or know anyone who does, please contact us directly at: info@animalfolks.org

Legislative Action

The above supports why Animal Folks, working with legislators and other organizations and citizens, supports the Companion Animal Board bill.

This bill has been introduced at the Minnesota Legislature and will provide expertise for companion animal (pet) issues. The breeder law (regulating commercial dog and cat breeders) and the kennel and dealer law (licensing animal shelters) would be transferred to the Companion Animal Board for proper enforcement.