Action needed—please call now!

The Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill bill – H.F. 253 – is going to be heard in the House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee on Tuesday, March 17.  Please call all of the members on the committee before noon Tuesday and leave a message asking them to vote in favor of Representative Tillberry’s bill (H.F. 253).

As you may know, hearings are unpredictable.  Unforeseen amendments to weaken the bill may be introduced at the hearing, which is why it’s important to reiterate your support of H.F. 253 and urge committee members not to accept any amendments that would weaken it.  Legislators are hearing from breeders who oppose the bill (and any regulation) so they need to hear from us.  We need to protect Minnesota dogs and cats who are forced to live in substandard and deplorable conditions.

H.F. 253 addresses the problem (inhumane breeding conditions and practices) through:

• Licensing – licenses larger breeders (not small or hobby breeders);
• Inspections – gives the State the authority to conduct annual inspections of breeding facilities;
• Standards - requires breeders to comply with existing laws and regulations, and puts in place additional standards that are lacking in existing law (such as adequate staff, daily socialization, identification and tracking of each animal, and not hiring anyone who has been convicted of animal cruelty);
• Enforcement - gives oversight to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and allows them to contract with local authorities;
• Funding - provides funding to the Board by way of licensing and registration fees; and
• Penalties - provides civil, administrative and criminal penalties for breaking the law.

H.F. 253 is a responsible bill because it addresses the core problem, works hand-in-hand with existing Minnesota anti-cruelty laws, and has strong support by a large coalition of humane societies, rescue groups, animal control, humane agents, veterinarians, and individuals from across the State.  This issue is about human responsibility – requiring breeders to act responsibly and humanely.

Action:  Please call now to support H.F. 253 (the Tillberry bill).  Below is a list of the members and their phone numbers.  Calls at this critical time are more effective than emails.  Important – If you are a constituent of a committee member listed below, be sure he/she knows that.

To learn more about puppy and kitten mills in Minnesota, go to www.animalfolksmn.com

In order to have the bills heard and keep moving forward, there have been many discussions with various interested parties.  The coalition will continue to fight for the strongest language possible while working collaboratively to get legislation passed this year.

House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee – Call before noon Tuesday, March 17.  Support H.F. 253 (the Tillberry bill)

• Chair:  Representative Debra Hilstrom (District 46B) – 651-296-3709
• Vice Chair:  Representative Karla Bigham (District 57A) – 651-296-4342 (co-author)
• Representative Bruce Anderson (District 19A) – 651-296-5063
• Representative Tony Cornish (District 24B) – 651-296-4240
• Representative Steve Drazkowski (District 28B) – 651-296-2273
• Representative Gail Kulick Jackson (District 16A) – 651-296-6746
• Representative Sheldon Johnson (District 67B) – 651-296-4201
• Representative Kory Kath (District 26B) – 651-296-5368
• Representative Tim Kelly (District 28A) – 651-296-8635
• Representative Paul Kohls (District 34A) – 651-296-4282
• Representative John Lesch (District 66A) – 651-296-4224
• Representative Sandra Masin (District 38A) – 651-296-3533
• Representative Joe Mullery (District 58A) – 651-296-4262
• Representative Dave Olin (District 1A) – 651-296-9635
• Representative Michael Paymar (District 64B) – 651-296-4199 (co-author)
• Representative Paul Rosenthal (District 41B) – 651-296-7803 (co-author)
• Representative Ron Shimanski (District 18A) – 651-296-1534