Action Needed: Including Pets in Orders for Protection

IMMEDIATE ACTION ALERT!

On Wednesday, March 10, the Crime Victims/Criminal Records Division Committee voted to approve a bill that would authorize courts to include pets and companion animals in orders for protection. Reps will be asked to vote on this today!

Please take a moment to call YOUR rep listed below and leave a message with his or her aide that you'd like them to support HF1396 Domestic abuse; courts authorized to include pets and companion animals in protective orders!

Read more about this on the MPR website where Lara Peterson (of A Rotta Love) shares first hand how she comes home to the lifeless body of her 5 month old cat in a trash bag. Lara testified before legislators this week to support the bill.

Minnesota Voters for Animal Protection also has additional information on their website.

Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee Members:

Joe Mullery 651-296-4262 rep.joe.mullery@house.mn 58-A (Minneapolis)
Gail Kulick Jackson 651-296-6746 rep.gailkulick.jackson@house.mn 16-A (Princeton, Milaca, etc.)
Steve Drazkowski 651-296-2273 rep.steve.drazkowski@house.mn 28-B (Goodview, St. Charles, etc)
Tony Cornish 651-296-4240 rep.tony.cornish@house.mn 24-B (Lake Crystal, Wells, etc.)
Debra Hilstrom 651-296-3709 rep.debra.hilstrom@house.mn 46-B (Brooklyn Park/Center)
Kory Kath 651-296-5368 rep.kory.kath@house.mn 26-A (Waseca, Owatonna, etc.)
Sheldon Johnson 651-296-4201 rep.sheldon.johnson@house.mn 67-B (St. Paul)
Tim Kelly 651-296-8635 rep.tim.kelly@house.mn 28-A (Red Wing, Lake City, Cannon Falls, etc)
Paul Kohls 651-296-4282 rep.paul.kohls@house.mn 34-A (Chaska, Waconia, Victoria, etc.)
Dave Olin 651-296-9635 rep.dave.olin@house.mn 1-A (NW cities in State)
Michael Paymar- bill author 651-296-4199 rep.michael.paymar@house.mn 64-B (St. Paul)
Sandra Masin 651-296-3533 rep.sandra.masin@house.mn 38-A (Eagan, Burnsville)
Ron Shimanski, R 651-296-1534 rep.ron.shimanski@house.mn 18-A (Hutchinson, Glencoe, etc.)
John Lesch, DFL 651-296-4224 rep.john.lesch@house.mn 66-A (St. Paul)
Bruce Anderson 651-296-5063 rep.bruce.anderson@house.mn 19-A (Monticello, Buffalo, Maple Lake)
Karla Bigham 651-296-4342 rep.karla.bigham@house.mn 57-A (Cottage Grove, S. St. Paul, St. Paul Park, etc.)

Please contact your representative - you can find him/her by going to: http://www.gis.leg.mn/mapserver/districts/

If your rep is listed above please leave a message of support for this piece of legislation being heard in committee. If you know anyone who may live in the areas listed above please encourage them to make a quick 1 minute call in support of HF1396!

Time is critical for Puppy & Kitten Mill Bill

Reposted from the Animal Humane Society Website:

Time is critical for Puppy & Kitten Mill Bill

Friday, March 5, 2010

The Dog and Cat Breeder Bill (S.F. 7/H.F. 253), also known as the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill is before the Minnesota Legislature. The bill will put in place licensing and inspection of dog and cat breeder facilities in Minnesota, bringing an end to inhumane breeding practices.

Currently, the bill is still “on the table” in the respective agriculture and veterans committees in both the Minnesota Senate and the House of Representatives. We need your continued support to help members of the committees understand the importance of the bill and to “call it off the table” for discussion.

Time is critical. The first policy committee deadline is next Friday, March 12. If we are not granted a hearing by that time, the bill will not pass this year.

You can make a difference with one phone call. Please call all of the following members on the committees (listed below) before noon on Monday and let him or her know you support S.F. 7/H.F. 253. If you live in one of these districts, please make certain your legislator knows that fact. To find your district and State legislators, go to: Minnesota District Finder.

MN Senate Agriculture and Veterans Committee Members
State the bill number and the Senate author's name: S.F. 7 authored by Senator Don Betzold

Tony Lourey 651.296.0293
Lisa A. Fobbe 651.296.8075
David W. Hann 651.296.1749
Rod Skoe 651.296.4196
Dan Skogen 651.296.5655
House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee
State the bill number and the House author’s name: H.F. 253 authored by Representative Tom Tillberry

Mary Ellen Otremba 651.296.3201
Kent Eken 651.296.9918
Terry Morrow 651.296-8634
Dean Urdahl 651.296.4344
Now is the time to be a voice for animals.

Explain the importance of the bill and that it is a highly collaborative effort among many animal groups and volunteers, and the bill has a long list of supporting organizations and individuals—including you.

Talking points for your call

Educate them on what goes on in puppy and kitten mills

If you call this weekend, chances are you'll reach the legislator's voicemail. Please leave a message with your name and support of S.F. 7 (Betzold) or H.F. 253 (Tillberry).

Legislators are also hearing from breeders and others who oppose the bill. Your voice will make a difference. Don’t wait—call today!

Puppy/Kitten Mill Public Forum tomorrow

From the Animal Humane Society website:

Puppy & Kitten Mill Bill public forum
Golden Valley, 2/27/2010 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Senator Don Betzold and Representative Tom Tillberry to discuss Puppy & Kitten Mill Bill at public forum

Are you interested in learning more about the effort to regulate dog and cat breeders in Minnesota to stop inhumane practices in this industry? Join us on Saturday, February 27, 2010, for a public information session on the Dog and Cat Breeder Bill (S.F. 7/H.F. 253), also known as the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill, with Minnesota Senator Don Betzold and Minnesota Representative Tom Tillberry who authored and introduced the bill in the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives respectively.

Learn firsthand about the bill and its importance to the welfare of thousands of neglected animals in the State of Minnesota.
Understand how requiring licensing and inspections of breeding facilities in the state will protect animals from breeders engaging in inhumane breeding practices.

Arm yourself with information on how you can be a voice for animals and let others know what they can do.
Join us:

11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 27, 2010
Animal Humane Society, Auditorium
845 Meadow Lane North, Golden Valley

Reservations are not required, but seating is limited. For more information, please email animaladvocates@animalhumanesociety.org.

Petland Protest in St. Paul

"Minnesota is among the top producers of puppies and kittens in the United States.

Due to no State licensing of the dog and cat breeding industry, it is difficult to report the total number of breeders in Minnesota. It is fair to say, however, that there are primarily two types of breeders: Reputable breeders and inhumane breeders.

Inhumane dog and cat breeders in Minnesota, through ignorance or greed, create serious harm and suffering to animals in the pursuit of profit.

Minnesota has no state laws to regulate the dog and cat breeding industry." For more info visit the AnimalFolksMN website.

Come and help us send a message to Petland that selling puppies and kittens from mills is inhumane and cruel. Supporting rescues by promoting adoption is the best option! The demo is peaceful and legal and everyone is welcome.

Small Dog Rescue, The Animal Rights Coalition, the Coalition for Animal Rights Education, and In Defense of Animals is sponsoring a peaceful, legal protest of the St. Paul Petland store. Please consider attending (weather is supposed to be nice!). The last protest, of a Petland Store in Shakopee was very well-organized, and we received a lot of support from folks driving / walking by!

Protest info:

Petland Protest in Saint Paul
Date: 11/15/2009 11am - 12:30pm
Location: 2123 Hudson Rd. St. Paul, MN 55119

Advocacy: Update on Kathy Bauck

Many of you may have heard about Kathy Bauck in the news over the last several months. Her facility (sometimes called "Puppies on Wheels" or "Pick of the Litter") has been the subject of undercover videos exposing inhumane treatment of animals, and she has a history of complaints and citations against her. Earlier this year she was convicted of three counts of animal torture, and one count of animal cruelty. Last month, the USDA filed a motion with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to terminate Kathy Bauck's license to operate her breeding facility, and prevent her from re-applying for at least two years. Elizabeth Goldentyer, D.V.M and Eastern Regional Director of Animal Care, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service filed a motion in support of the USDA's motion. View the entire complaint here.

While we won't know the outcome of this complaint for at least a few weeks, we do know that this situation underscores the need for meaningful state legislation. Puppy mills are a real problem in Minnesota. Did you know that there are no state laws that regulate this lucrative industry? So, the USDA complaint against Ms. Bauck is only half the story. Even if the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture terminates her license, the federal regulations only address Ms. Bauck's ability to sell pets wholesale (e.g. to pet stores). The limited federal regulations, and lack of state laws, do nothing to prevent Ms. Bauck from selling directly to the consumer, via newspaper ads, the internet.

The good news is that there is state legislation already written to address this problem! S.F. 7 / H.F. 253 was "tabled" during this past state legislative session, essentially meaning it can pick up where it left off when the legislature reconvenes in 2010. We need your support this important bill! A few things you can do:

• Contact your representative and senator, and ask them to support S.F. 7 / H.F. 253. Click here to find your legislator.
• Visit animalfolksmn.org to learn more about this important issue and sign up to receive email alerts when the bill makes its way back through the legislative process.
• Educate your friends and family!
• Know anyone interested in a cat or dog? Encourage them to adopt (Pet Haven has a lot of good dogs!).

Even picky folks can find breed-specific rescue groups all over the country.

Please contact Karen Scott, Pet Haven Advocacy Director (karen.pethaven@gmail.com with any comments or questions.)

[photo: Buckley is a former puppy mill dog who is one of the lucky few able to put his horrible start to life behind him]

Puppy & Kitten Mill Bill hearing TODAY!

The Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill is being heard in the Minnesota House Public Safety & Oversight Committee today at 12:30 pm. Please see the advocacy blog for more information and consider giving the committee members a call to let them know you support the bill before the hearing!

Hearing scheduled for S.F. 7 on Monday

Senate File 7, which establishes new standards of care for dog and cat breeders, has been scheduled for a hearing on Monday, January 27th, in the Minnesota Senate Agriculture and Veterans Committee. This bill would help to improve conditions in puppy and kitten mills throughout the state.

Please check out the Pet Haven advocacy blog for a list of committee members to call and express you support:
http://pethavenadvocacy.blogspot.com/2009/01/your-action-needed-on-puppy-kitten-mill.html

Puppy and Kitten Mills

Today is the first day of the 2009 legislative session in Minnesota, which means that the Pet Haven Advocacy team is gearing up to advocate for better animal welfare laws in Minnesota.

This weekend Pet Haven is hosting a Puppy and Kitten Mill Information session, check out the Pet Haven Advocacy Blog for more information. Keep an eye on the advocacy blog for updates throughout the legislative session.

National Pit Bull Awareness Day!

Today is the 2nd annual National Pit Bull Awareness Day!

A Rotta Love Plus, a twin cities Pit Bull and Rottweiler rescue, is hosting a picnic at Minnehaha Park this afternoon to celebrate.


We at Pet Haven could not resist this opportunity to highlight the wonderful bully breed dogs that we have in foster care right now:

Dutch -- also known as Komo in his foster home -- is a 1 year old lab/bully breed mix. He is loving life in his foster home where he gets to go to work with his foster mom who works with one of Pet Haven's doggy daycare partners. He loves playing with other dogs and he still has a lot of puppy energy in him at just 1 year of age so this arrangement is a dream come true!



Hazel is a 2 year old Pit Bull. At only 37 pounds, Hazel is a petite little thing. Hazel gets long well with other dogs -- too well, she LOVES to play and she will play and play and play until the other dog collapses from exhaustion. She is not a hyper dog though, without a doggy playmate around she is happy to entertain herself a toy or snuggle in with her humans.

Bishop is a 10 month old American Staffordshire Terrier mix. He came into Pet Haven from a hoarding situation when he was just a few months old. He is loving life in his foster home where he has three people all to himself. Bishop likes to play with other dogs, but he doesn't like to share his space and people with them on a long term basis. He would love to take trips to the dog park, but would like to be the only pet in his forever home.

Benne is a 1 year old Pit Bull. Benne has come a long way from his sad start in life. He was dumped at a shelter as a young puppy. If you were to meet him now you'd never never guess there was a time that he didn't know love. He gets long well with other dogs and kids. He's still a puppy so he can get rambunctious and needs a family who will commit to continuing to train him to be a good canine citizen.





The 2009 legislative session starts on January 6, 2008. If another bill is introduced to try to ban specific breeds of dogs, Pet Haven will be involved in the fight to block its passage. To learn more about Pet Haven's advocacy efforts at the state capitol, check out our advocacy blog, the advocacy page on our website or email Advocacy@PetHavenMN.org