Act by Tuesday to Support H.F. 253 (Minnesota Puppy/Kitten Mill Bill)

URGENT–Act now!
If you live in Minnesota, please take the time to form your opinion on this bill and call the Minnesota House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee before Tuesday. There is more information below and you can call at any time and leave a voice mail message. This bill was written to target inhumane breeding practices and not to target small or hobby breeders. This bill would finally give us the ability to have laws against puppy/kitten mills and provide the resources/ability to enforce them. I have been called to help with cattle dogs rescued from deplorable conditions in Brown County, Minnesota. There are way too many puppy mills in this state, with hundreds of dogs living in inhumane conditions. Please also be aware that there is more than one bill before the legislature on this topic. H.F. 253 is the only one with teeth in it (IMO and in the opinon of many others).
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.

Thanks for every phone call!
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
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