Additional Help Needed for MN Puppy & Cat Mill Legislation
MORE ACTION NEEDED ON H.F. 84: PLEASE CALL LEGISLATORS (LISTED BELOW) NOW
(Courtesy Post for Animal Folks MN)
Thanks to everyone for all of your calls – each and every call makes a difference!
The MN Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation bill – H.F. 84 – passed the House Civil Law Committee and is now on its way to be heard in the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee on Thursday, February 21, at 10:00 a.m.
Please call all of the members on the committee (names and phone numbers listed below) before Thursday and ask them to vote in favor of H.F. 84 and not to accept any amendments that would weaken it.
We need to protect Minnesota dogs and cats who are forced to live in substandard and deplorable conditions. You can also leave your message with the Representative’s legislative assistant because it is hard to reach legislators directly. Additional talking points are provided below in the next section. Please keep your message short and respectful.
Thank you for caring and taking action!
HOUSE PUBLIC SAFETY FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Representative Michael Paymar – Chair and Coauthor (District 64B) – no need to call him; he is a co-author
Representative Paul Rosenthal – Vice Chair (District 49B) – 651-296-7803
Representative Tony Cornish (District 23B) – 651-296-4240
Representative Debra Hilstrom (District 40B) – 651-296-3709
Representative Brian Johnson (District 32A) – 651-296-4346
Representative Tim Kelly (District 21A) – 651-296-8635
Representative Andrea Kieffer (District 53B) – 651-296-1147
Representative John Lesch (District 66A) – no need to call him; he is the author
Representative Kathy Lohmer (District 39B) – 651-296-4244
Representative Joe Mullery (District 59A) – 651-295-4262 – also a co-author
Representative Jim Newberger (District 15B) – 651-296-2451
Representative Shannon Savick (District 27A) – 651-296-8216
Representative Dan Schoen (District 54A) – 651-296-4342
Representative Steve Simon (District 46B) – 651-296-9889
Representative Erik Simonson (District 7B) – 651-296-4246
Representative Linda Slocum (District 50A) – 651-296-7158
Representative Mark Uglem (District 36A) – 651-296-5513
Representative John Ward (District 10A) – 651-296-4333
If you are a constituent of one of the committee members listed above, be sure he/she knows that. To find out who represents you, go to: MN District Finder
Haven’t spoken with a legislator before? For tips, go to: Contact legislators
TALKING POINTS FOR H.F. 84
Highlights of the issue and bill are also provided on: FLYER
THE PROBLEM
There is no State law to license, inspect or regulate commercial dog and cat breeders in Minnesota, resulting in harm to animals, consumers and communities.
THE SITUATION
Minnesota is among the top producers of puppies in the United States with some of the largest breeding kennels in the nation – housing 300, 600 or over 1,000 dogs and puppies. Kittens are also mass-produced in Minnesota.
Many dogs and cats within these facilities live out their lives in small, overcrowded wire cages and are bred repeatedly. Their cages are often stacked, allowing feces and urine to fall onto the animals below. 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, etc. Many have deformed paws, are severely matted, or are burned from sitting in urine and feces. And, they are rarely, if at all, provided socialization and positive human interaction.
While many breeders in Minnesota act responsibly, there are those who keep dogs and cats in deplorable conditions and are willing to make a profit at the expense of the animal’s health and well-being. The puppies and kittens are sold to the public and many are sick, diseased, and have genetic problems.
THE SOLUTION
H.F. 84 addresses the problem by giving the State of Minnesota the authority to:
· License – Require commercial dog and cat breeders in Minnesota to be licensed;
· Inspect and Enforce – Give legal authority to the MN Board of Animal Health to inspect commercial dog and cat breeding facilities and enforce existing State laws to ensure animal care standards are met; and
· Penalties – Impose civil, administrative and criminal penalties for those who violate the law.
The goal of breeder regulation is to promote healthy and safe dogs and cats.
For more information, go to: www.animalfolksmn.org
Thank you, Underdog Rescue Supporters, for your continued dedication to animals in need of protection!