Minnesota Could Be Next State to Crack Down on Puppy and Kitten Mills

Puppy mill reform has been in the spotlight in the news and on the ballots lately, and Minnesota could be the next state to pass laws protecting animals in commercial breeding facilities.

Puppy and kitten mills in Minnesota currently operate without fear of inspection, oversight or regulation. Animal Ark and the Minnesota Purebred Dog Breeder's Association, along with other animal welfare groups, have been working for several years to place a proposal in the hands of state representatives that would finally regulate puppy mills. Their hard work has put H.F. 388/S.F. 384 on the table for voting this legislative season.

The law is great news for animals in puppy and kitten mills, and responsible breeders and animal welfare groups both support the new legislation. Animals in mills are treated as money-making breeding machines and are typically kept in small and dirty crates or cages. Many suffer from disease and are euthanized once they are no longer needed or become incapable of producing more litters. Rarely are they given adequate exercise and the proper attention or socialization.

If passed, the new bill will require commercial breeders to hold an annual license. Before a license is issued, the facility will be inspected. Commercial breeders are defined by the bill as any person "breeding animals for sale or for exchange in return for consideration, and who possesses 20 or more adult intact animals and whose animals produce five or more total litters of puppies or kittens per year."

Under the new law, each breeder must also submit an annual report including documentation on how many animals are at the facility, how many were sold or given away, and how many were euthanized or died while on the property.

New care standards for animals will be implemented as well. H.F. 388/S.F. 384 would control how the animals are exercised, bred, housed and sold. Each breeder will also be held responsible to uphold animal welfare laws and report if they have ever been convicted of animal cruelty. Breeders will be subjected to fines and prosecution if they fail to uphold any of the new standards.

Animal Ark has set up webpages to create widespread awareness about the bill as well as what happens in puppy mills. The no-kill advocacy group isn't just asking for change in Minnesota, but across the entire country.

Animal Ark's legislative team is currently working with state legislators to educate them on the need for puppy mill reform within Minnesota.

They've worked hard for six years to bring regulation to puppy mills, but are asking for more support on the measure to finally get it passed.

Help pass puppy and kitten mill reform in Minnesota. Sign the petition today to ask Minnesota lawmakers to vote "yes" on H.F. 388/S.F. 384.

Photo credit: Klearchos Kapoutsis