Too often, Second Chance receives abused and neglected breeding dogs and cats from law enforcement, animal control, breeders themselves, or other nonprofits’ rescue efforts. The animals arrive in varying conditions – so matted they can’t walk, extremely under weight, shy/fearful, fleas, eye & ear infections, never having had human contact, and a variety of other physical and psychological issues that we need to work with in order to help transition them into healthy animals ready for loving adoptive homes.
S.F. 462 has been introduced in the Minnesota Senate by Senator Barb Goodwin (D-50) and H.F. 702 has been introduced in the House
by Representative John Lesch (D-66A) to address inhumane dog and cat breeding (also known as puppy/kitten mills) in Minnesota.
Second Chance Animal Rescue is part of a large coalition supporting S.F. 462/H.F. 702. The Coalition includes humane societies, rescue groups, animal control, veterinarians, animal protection and advocacy organizations, and citizens.
The Problem
Minnesota is among the top states for mass-produced 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 live out their lives in small, overcrowded wire cages and are bred repeatedly. Their cages are often stacked one on top of the other, allowing feces and urine to fall onto the animals below. Animals may be sick from inadequate food, water and veterinary care, stress, fleas, worms, etc. Many have deformed paws, are severely matted, or are burned from sitting and standing in urine and feces. And, they are rarely, if at all, provided human socialization.
 | S.F. 462 / H.F. 702 address the problem. While many breeders in Minnesota act responsibly, there are ongoing reports of those who keep dogs and cats in deplorable conditions, and who are willing to make a profit at the expense of the animals’ health and wellbeing. These puppies and kittens are sold to the public and many are sick, diseased, and have genetic problems. There is no oversight and there are no state laws regulating breeding facilities in Minnesota.
|
The Solution
Breeder regulation will give 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 Board of Animal Health to inspect commercial dog and cat breeding facilities and enforce existing State laws to ensure animal care standards are met
- Penalties - Impose civil, administrative and criminal penalties for those who violate the law
What You Can Do
It is very important for you to educate your own State Senator and Representative on what goes on in Minnesota breeding facilities. This year there are many new legislators who have not heard from us. So, please, contact them. Even if they are back and heard from you last session, contact them again. The problem did not go away and new bills were introduced. If you don’t know who your legislator is, go to http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/
Be sure to tell them the bill numbers and authors’ names because multiple bills have been introduced this session. Support S.F. 462 (authored by Senator Barb Goodwin) and H.F. 702 (authored by Representative John Lesch).
If you would like to be added to a list of Minnesotans who want to take action on the legislation to regulate large breeders, please email stopthesuffering@yahoo.com and ask to be added to the database. You will be alerted when to contact legislators to support the bills.
You can also learn more about the problem and sign a petition at: www.animalfolksmn.org
You can print and distribute the attached flyer to educate people about the need for legislation. Click here (PDF 
)
Thank you again for being involved and having a voice for the animals.
