Federal Law

   The Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
   The AWA is the federal law that governs the humane care, handling, treatment, and transportation of animals used in laboratories. The AWA also covers dealers who sell animals to laboratories, animal exhibitors, carriers, and intermediate handlers, dog and cat breeders, puppy mills, zoos, circuses, roadside menageries, and transporters of animals. It excludes retail pet stores, state and county fairs, livestock shows, rodeos, purebred dog and cat shows, and fairs or exhibitions intended to advance agricultural arts and sciences.
   The organization charged with enforcing the AWA is APHIS, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
   A person or organization found in violation of the AWA may face fines and/or imprisonment.

Minnesota State Law

   Cruelty to Animals
   Chapter 343

   Pet and Companion Welfare Act
   Chapter 346

   Miscellaneous Statutes
   Chapter 347.50, Regulation of Dangerous Dogs
   Chapter 325F, Consumer Protection; Pet Dealers—cats, dogs

   Criminal Code, Selected Sections
   609.226
   609.227
   609.596
   609.552

   Minnesota Exotic Animal Law
   Chapter 346.155, effective January 1, 2005

Local Ordinances

   If you have questions about city ordinances pertaining to animals (the number allowed per household, leash laws, etc.), please contact your local animal control office