Minnesota: Dog and Cat Data Transparency Bill

In Minnesota, our goal is to change the law to require inspection records of commercial breeding facilities to be publicly available. Currently, consumers looking to buy a puppy have no way of knowing if a breeder is reputable because the Board of Animal Health keeps commercial breeding inspection records private. This proposed legislation will enable consumers to determine if they are buying from a breeder following the laws or supporting a business with numerous violations for treating dogs inhumanely.

The bill would make data on state-licensed breeders publicly available, identify breeders with revoked licenses, and provide consumers with information on the number of animals breeders have and the nature and frequency of any violations they’ve had.

This bill will be reintroduced at the start of the 2025 session.

Iowa: Inspection Loophole

Iowa law requires higher standards for dog breeders than the USDA. While not strict, requirements include tighter temperature requirements to ensure dogs don’t freeze or die from overheating, and a solid resting surface for dogs kept in wire-floor cages.

There’s currently a loophole in the law where, if a breeder has a USDA license, they are not required to receive an inspection from the state, or meet the stronger standards required by Iowa law. Our goal is to enact change that requires breeders in Iowa to meet the state’s legal standards for commercial breeding facilities.