Minnesota Helping to Change Animal Welfare and Shelters

To understand how Minnesota (MN) is helping to change animal welfare, you need to know the Laws and Legislation in MN regarding animal welfare.

THE PROBLEM

Minnesota (MN) is among the top states for mass-produced puppies or what you and I call, "puppy mills", yet they have NO laws TO REGULATE breeding.

Presently MN does have State laws in place which deals with certain aspects of animal cruelty, protection and welfare. These laws, however, are frequently misinterpreted. None of these laws give Minnesota the authority to license or regulate dog and cat breeders in Minnesota.

Without State licensing and regulation, MN has no authority to track dog and cat breeders, inspect facilities, set humane breeding and care standards, enforce standards, or impose penalties for failure to meet standards. Therefore, Puppy Mills remain in business.

The enormous number of puppies produced in puppy mills adds to the problem of pet overpopulation and the killing of millions of unwanted dogs each year.

It is unthinkable that people are intentionally bringing more dogs into this already overpopulated world. Purchasing a puppy from a pet shop perpetuates the vicious cycle by encouraging more breeding, which leads to more killing, which animal organizations are trying to STOP!!!

WHAT IS A PUPPY MILL?

A puppy mill is a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs.

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.

Puppy mill dogs often receive little, if any, veterinary care and are fed inadequate and poor quality food. Commonly, female dogs are bred at every heat cycle, usually beginning at six months of age. Once their weak bodies can no longer generate profit for the breeder, they are considered a drain on the mill and are destroyed-usually by five years of age. Puppies are removed from their sickly and malnourished mothers at an early age and shipped to pet shops across the country.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Many animal welfare agencies have been working for several years to pass a law that would help to regulate breeders and the puppy and kitten mill industry

The purpose of breeder legislation would be to give MN the authority to regulate the dog and cat breeding industry, which would protect both pets and consumers.

Animal protection organizations, the media and the public are gradually becoming aware of the misery animals face in these puppy mills. The American public is filled with animal-lovers who want change. They have brought about much of the positive change in our country, and because of new technologies like You Tube, Twitter and Face-book, animal welfare advocates are gaining a louder voice.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

In 2009 the first National No Kill Conference was held in Washington, DC.

The No Kill Advocacy Center teamed up with the Animal Law program at George Washington University Law School to speak for animals everywhere. The nation’s most successful shelter directors and the nation’s top animal lawyers attended to help create a No Kill community and teach us (the public) how to use the legal system to save the lives of animals. Saving our animals means new Laws, which was a topic discussed at the conference.

One of the MAJOR participants at the NO KIll conference were members, donors and sponsors from a place called "ANIMAL ARK". The Ark is one of the largest NO KILL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS in Minnesota which had a direct impact at the conference.

INVESTIGATION

The impact of an investigation which took place over a one month period, involving a woman named, Kathy Bauck, officially putting Minnesota on the National stage causing Minnesotan residents and politicians to become more aware of laws needing to be passed.

PUPPY MILL OWNER

Kathy Bauck has been one of Minnesota's largest and most notorious and secretive puppy mill operators for about 20 years. Bauck had previously been convicted of animal cruelty and torture. She was also found to be practicing veterinary medicine without a license, for, among other things, performing cesarean sections on her dogs without adequate anesthetic.

“She has been cited for inadequate record-keeping, animals with swollen limbs, missing skin, animal fighting with each other inside her facility, unsafe and unsanitary housing. You name it, she’s been cited many times by the USDA,” Minnesota Humane Society Director said.

Bauck was found to be in noncompliance with her license after USDA inspections in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, according to records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.

In 2009 following a month-long undercover investigation of Bauck by the Companion Animal Protection Society Bauck was convicted again of 4 counts of cruelty and torture. Late in 2009, the USDA terminated her license to sell dogs commercially, yet she could still sell her puppies over the internet,,,can you believe this bologna??? ( Hey I have an idea, lets get a piece of bologna and attach it to Bauck and let dogs.....)..oops not politically correct.........

As a result of the investigation two companion bills were introduced in the Minnesota House and Senate last year. Senate File 7 and House File 253 would help the State to enforce existing animal welfare statutes, and would prevent people who have been convicted of animal cruelty and animal torture from operating puppy mills, something that seems pretty common-sense to most Minnesotans.

Last year, Senate File 7 and House File 253 made good progress moving through the legislature. After passing several committees, both bills landed in the Agriculture Committees in the House and Senate, where they are expected to receive hearings early in 2010.

"A Puppies View"

I don't remember much from the place I was born. It was cramped and dark and we were never played with by humans. I remember Mom and her soft fur, but she was often sick, and very thin. She had hardly any milk for me and my brothers and sisters. I remember many of them dying, and I missed them so.

I do remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should have been with Mom still, but she was so sick, and the humans kept saying that they wanted money and were sick of the "mess" that my sister and I made. So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands came to pet us or to love us.

So many sights and sounds, and smells!! We are in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! Some that meow! Some that peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage, I hear other puppies whine. I see humans looking at me, I like the "little humans", they look like they'd be fun, like they would play with me!

All day we are kept in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be held or shown to humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us, we always hear "AW they are so cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with any.

My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I softly whined to mourn for her as they took her body out of the cage in the morning, I wondered where they put her?

Today, a family came and bought me! Oh happy day!! They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am! I am named Angel. I love to lick my new humans!

The family takes such good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach me right from wrong, give me good food and lots of "LOVE". I want only to please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running and playing with her.

Today I went to the Veterinarian. It was a strange place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend (the little girl) held me softly and said it would be OK. So I relaxed. The Vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully sad. I heard severe hip dysplacia, and something about my heart... I heard the vet say something about, back yard breeders and my parents not being tested. I didn't know what any of this meant, just that it hurt me to see my family so sad. But they still loved me, and I still loved them very much!!!

I am now 6 months old. Where most of the other puppies are robust and rowdy, it hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breathe. I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and to hear her mom and dad talk about, it might now be the time. Several times I have gone to the Veterinarians place. I just wanted to feel the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family.

Last night was the worst. Pain has been my constant companion now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain. I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know why.

Have I been bad? I try to be good and loving, what have I done wrong? Oh if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but have to stop because of the pain.

The Veterinarian's table is so cold. I am so frightened. My humans hug and love me, they cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick their hands softly. Even the vet doesn't seem so scary today. He is gentle and I sense some kind of relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg.

The pain is beginning to lift. I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dream like now, and I see my Mother, my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They tell me there is no pain there only peace and happiness. I tell the family, good-bye in the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many happy years with them, but it was not meant to be. The pain ends now and, I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different

"I am sorry," said the Vet. "Pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders. I am so tired of putting so many of these kind of puppies to sleep."

I saw this video and cried, but WE NEED TO SHUT DOWN THIS HORRIBLE PLACE..... view this at your own risk

CAUTION OF GRAPHIC MATERIAL

"As custodians of the planet it is our responsibility to deal with all species with kindness, love, and compassion. That these animals suffer through human cruelty is beyond understanding. Please help to stop this madness." ~ Richard Gere ~ Actor

SHUT DOWN PICK OF THE LITTER KENNEL

So How Is Minnesota Changing Animal Shelters?

CHANGE

Minnesota needs to change their laws, but they need any help they can. By signing the petition NOW you will have a voice in regards to animal welfare.

By signing the petition and getting the word out maybe 2010 will be "The Year" of change, not only for Minnesota, but for ANIMALS EVERYWHERE!!!!!

When Minnesota laws change they will have the authority to track dog and cat breeders, inspect facilities, set humane breeding and care standards, enforce standards, and impose penalties for failure to meet standards. Therefore, Puppy Mills will find it hard to stay in business, THUS......

The "new" Minnesota laws will change animal welfare and animal shelters by helping to eliminate puppy mills, poor breeders would be fined or placed in jail which would decrease the sale of puppies and kittens, facilities may be shut down due to poor conditions and standards which would eventually DECREASE THE PET OVERPOPULATION PROBLEM EVERYWHERE......Helping to change Animal Welfare and Animal Shelters!!

Help get this important bill passed by visiting Minnesota Humane Society breeder act page.

Minnesota Pet Shelters

If you live in Minnesota, here are two great sites where animals need your help

MuttCats.com features an animal shelter directory, articles, fiction, pet memorials, discussion boards, shopping and more.

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