Read the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill 2010, learn about opposition

It's important to know the facts. Read the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill on the Minnesota State Legislature website by following the links below.

The bill was introduced in the Minnesota Senate by Senator Don Betzold and in the Minnesota House by Representative Tom Tillberry. The bill number in the Senate is S.F. 7. The bill number in the House is H.F. 253.

S.F. No. 7, as introduced, Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill

H.F. No. 253, 1st Engrossment, Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill

Summary of the bill
The bill will give the Minnesota Board of Animal Health the authority to license and inspect dog and cat breeders and hold them accountable to comply with existing applicable care standards under state laws. In turn, this will allow our humane agents the statutory authority to more effectively reduce the suffering of animals confined and living in inhumane conditions. More specifically, the proposed bill will:

• Improve the ability to inspect dog and cat breeding facilities to ensure that breeders comply with existing laws.
• Provide licensing and regulatory authority to a single unit of government.
• Provide corrective orders, and administrative and criminal penalties for violations.

Opposition to the bill
We do not define opposition as us versus them. The greatest opposition is the lack of understanding of the problem of inhumane dog and cat breeding and the spread of false information. The solution is education. We must all continue to educate legislators and others about the problem, what needs to be done, and why.

Below are examples of inaccurate statements about the issue and the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill (S.F. 7/ H.F. 253). Our friends at Animal Folks Minnesota have provided factual responses to each.

• Sportsmen's and Animal Owner's Voting Alliance (SAOVA) and responses
• Miscellaneous points of opposition and responses
• Minnesota Federation of Field Trial Clubs
• NRA: National Rifle Association

Learn more

Minnesota Legislature: How a bill becomes law

Learn about the issue of inhumane breeding

Review recent puppy mill cases

How you can help