A bill to regulate Minnesota’s commercial dog and cat breeders has been getting a lot of attention lately—though the bill was just defeated in the Senate Agriculture Committee. Sidewalk Dog asked Animal Humane Society (AHS), which was closely involved with the effort, to educate our readers on this issue. Here’s what AHS’s Tracie Jacobson had to say:

Since the beginning of this year, Animal Humane Society has rescued more than 130 animals from puppy and kitten mill situations. At the same time, the Minnesota Dog and Cat Breeder Bill, also known as the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill, was “laid on the table” in the agriculture committees in both the Minnesota House and Senate. It remained “on the table” in both committees at the end of the 2009 session. During the current session, the Senate Agriculture Committee heard the bill on Tuesday, March 9. Unfortunately, it was defeated by a 7-5 vote. (Click here for details on the outcome of the Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill (S.F. 7/H.F. 253) in 2010.)

For animal lovers like you and me, it’s difficult to comprehend how a bill such as this doesn’t pass the Minnesota Legislature. By not putting licensing and inspections of breeding facilities in place, the state is continuing to allow animals to experience pain and suffering. They are left to live in substandard conditions, oftentimes without food, water or exercise and very little interaction with humans resulting in extensive behavioral and health issues—issues that become the burden of Minnesota taxpayers. As many of you know, Minnesota is one of the top producers of puppies in the United States. At the same time we are one of a diminishing number of states that continue to allow the dog and cat breeding industry to operate without licensing and inspections. In fact, Wisconsin passed legislation in 2009 to regulate breeders.

Opposition to the bill is strong in Minnesota. According to our friends at Animal Folks Minnesota, those in opposition state the bill is “unnecessary because current Minnesota law already addresses animal cruelty, care and housing in animal facilities.” This statement and many others are not true, nor are the many other arguments legislators are hearing from special interest groups against the bill. These statements provide a never-ending source of misinformation contributing to the bill’s lack of progression in the Minnesota Legislature.

So what can we do? At Animal Humane Society we will continue to take in and care for animals seized from inhumane breeding facilities. We will also continue with our efforts to pass legislation that will protect these animals in the future.

The coalition leading the effort, which includes Second Chance Animal Rescue, Animal Humane Society, Animal Folks Minnesota and many others, does not see this as an end. We’re not giving up. Citizens throughout Minnesota voiced their support of the bill this year and the Minnesota Legislature heard us. They know about the problem of inhumane dog and cat breeding and the need for regulation. We have to continue to be a voice for animals.

You can be a part of the effort by becoming an Animal Humane Society Animal Advocate. Through this network you’ll be provided opportunities to help get the message out across the state about the importance of the bill. Please also visit Animal Folks Minnesota for additional information regarding puppy and kitten mills in Minnesota. While you’re there, don’t forget to sign the petition showing your support of this effort.

By Meredeth Barzen

Back in the early aughts, a loosely knit group of Twin Cities pet sitters decided they needed a way to represent themselves. “We wanted to legitimize our group and have some professional standards so that there was some assurance to customers that the member businesses were legitimate and professional,” says Jennifer Grossman, a full-time pet sitter since co-founding The Pet Crew in 2001 and a member of that initial group. “We wanted to have a professional Web site and a way to get the word out about the profession in general, and to have funds with which to advertise as a group. We also wanted to provide support and networking opportunities for pet sitters, as well as have some way of assuring clients that our group’s members were professional and trustworthy.”

So in 2003, she and Jody Smith—who started her business, Lake Minnetonka Pet Sitters, in 1999—organized that group into a new, structured version called the Professional Pet Sitters of Minnesota (PPSMN). The group’s mission statement describes it better than we ever could: “an association of pet sitting business owners dedicated to promoting the welfare of all animals and raising the standards of the pet sitting industry through example, education and cooperation.”

PPSMN helped out at this year's AHS Walk for Animals, pet-sitting while owners used the bathrooms.

With 46 members currently, PPSMN provides educational seminars to those members and quarterly social get-togethers, maintains a presence at a variety of community events including the Twin Cities Pet Expo and RAGOM’s annual picnic, and participates in an annual fundraising event called “Wishbones for Pets” which benefits homeless animals. (This year’s Wishbones beneficiary is Second Chance Animal Rescue.) PPSMN has an e-group for members where they can get support, information and networking, and maintains a pet sitters directory for customers to find a sitter in their area.

“Each pet sitter is going to find different reasons to join,” Jody says. “Some just for the listing on the Web site. Others for the opportunity to learn from some of the veterans in the field, to gain referrals from others or just learn more about owning a small business. I find it nice to have professionals [with whom] to talk over different business situations that may come up and the opportunity to be present at major events around town.”

And it helps customers to know that members of the group must adhere to certain requirements: “Our process for new members includes feedback from all existing members prior to membership acceptance so that if there are concerns about potential new members they can be addressed prior to joining. And, if the concerns are significant, we can deny membership,” Jennifer says. “The two requirements for membership are that the business carries liability insurance and pays state sales tax. We believe that these are simple basics. If a business is legitimate, they follow state law and collect/pay sales tax (which is required for pet sitting and dog walking) as well as carry liability insurance, which protects customers.”

An assistant obedience instructor at Twin Cities Obedience Training Club, Jennifer has also worked in mental health and substance abuse and was a therapist (for people) for more than 10 years. Still, she says, “Working with animals is what is truly in my heart.”