PLEASE CALL MONDAY! DON’T WAIT! SPEAK UP FOR MN DOGS AND CATS PLEASE CALL MONDAY (May 12) - We are asking you to contact the Conference Committee members of the Omnibus Supplemental Appropriations Bill (H.F. 3172) asking them to “please support the dog and cat breeder regulation portion of the Conference Committee bill.” Please keep your message short and .respectful. The conference committee members’ names and numbers are: Senator Dick Cohen - 651-296-5931 Senator Terry Bonoff – 651-296-4314 Senator Tony Lourey – 651-296-0293 Senator David Tomassoni – 651-296-8017 Senator Chuck Wiger – 651-296-6820 Representative Lyndon Carlson - 651-296-4255 Representative Thomas Huntley - 651-296-2228 Representative Tim Mahoney - 651-296-4277 Representative Paul Marquart - 651-296-6829 Representative Jean Wagenius - 651-296-4200 As we previously mentioned, after H.F. 84 passed all of the necessary policy and finance committees by the required deadlines, it was incorporated into the House Omnibus Supplemental Appropriations Bill which passed the House floor. Then that bill went to Conference Committee with the Senate’s version of their Omnibus Supplemental Appropriations Bill. Over the past few weeks, the Senate and House Conference Committee members have been working out the differences between the bills (using H.F. 3172 as the bill number). We are almost there. So, please CALL NOW! For additional talking points, see below. The Problem There is no State law to license, inspect or regulate commercial dog and cat breeders in Minnesota. The problem is inhumane breeding practices. 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 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 and standing in urine and feces. And, they are rarely, if at all, provided human socialization. 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 wellbeing. The puppies and kittens are sold to the public and many are sick, diseased, and have genetic problems. The Solution The billaddresses theproblem 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. For more information, go to speakupmn.org Thank you for caring and taking action! Stop the Suffering
Posted on: Mon, 12 May 2014 15:44:34 +0000
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