Minnesotans Exposing the Pet Trade

09/01/2026

Attention to those attending the Minnesota State Fair: be sure to stop by the education building to fill out the 2026 Senate State Fair Poll -- especially number 3! 👀

06/26/2026

After the devastating news about the pet store bill not getting the vote it deserved in the House, we do have some good news to share!

In April, New Hope became the 17th city to pass a Humane Pet Store Ordinance! Most recently, Mound also joined the list of cities taking preventative measures to protect animals and consumers alike after constituent Christina Wenzel reached out to the city council to make it happen! Thank you to Christina and also to the New Hope and Mound city councils for standing up in the fight against puppy mills!

If you're not familiar, humane pet store ordinances prevent pet stores from selling puppies, kittens, and often times rabbits. Instead, these stores can partner with local rescues and shelters to host adoption days🐕🐈‍⬛🐇

If you live in a city that doesn't yet have this ordinance, please reach out, we would love to help!

Current cities with the ordinance: Roseville, Eden Prairie, St. Paul, Carver, Cloquet, Minneapolis, C**n Rapids, Columbia Heights, Maple Grove, Oak Grove Park, Edina, Osseo, Shoreview, Lino Lakes, Golden Valley, Maplewood, New Hope, and Mound.

06/15/2026

Absolutely incredible news!!!

https://centerforahumaneeconomy.org/ridglan-farms-shutting-down-soon

Today, the Center for a Humane Economy can share something we once only hoped was possible:
Ridglan Farms is shutting down.

The facility that for decades bred beagles for laboratory testing is winding down operations, and every remaining dog is expected to be transferred to animal welfare organizations for care, rehabilitation, and adoption.

This outcome did not happen overnight. It came from years of advocacy, investigations, legal pressure, public engagement, rescue partnerships, and determined negotiations focused on one goal: getting the dogs out.

Soon, more than 2,000 beagles who were born into the laboratory supply system will have been given the chance to live as family companions instead of research commodities.

This is a milestone worth celebrating—not only for the dogs leaving Ridglan, but for the growing movement to replace outdated animal testing with modern, human-relevant science.

A facility is closing. The dogs are going free. And the future is moving in the right direction.

05/18/2026

We're incredibly sad to share that the Humane Pet Store bill did not receive it's vote in the House, despite having plenty of bipartisan support AND the votes to pass in the House.

This bill has been negotiated time and time again. We wanted more protection for dogs and more transparency in the system. That isn't a lot to ask.

Shame on Representive Bernie Perryman (who is running for Senate) who told a constituent, in writing, that she would pass vote in support of the bill and then she did the opposite and voted against it. Shame on GOP leader Harry Niska as well for not allowing a vote.

Thank you to Senator Dibble, Representative Matt Norris, and everyone who supported the bill.

So, our work will continue. We will keep meeting with city councils across the state, passing Humane Pet Store Ordinances, one by one. Our team will also continue to track where puppies are coming from before landing in pet stores and checking in on their inspection reports. We will also continue to share the stories of the sick puppies sold in MN pet stores. We would love for you to join us.

05/15/2026

An update on the pet store bill: we've been waiting to secure a date for the bill to be voted on in the House but unfortunately there are Representatives, such as Bernie Perryman, who told a constituent she would vote for the bill, yet she voted AGAINST it.

This is incredibly frustrating. We will be sure to keep you all posted on any updates.

05/07/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT! 🚨

The humane pet store bill is currently the closest it has ever been to passing and we need all hands on deck!!

Please contact your MN State House Representative and encourage their support! EVERY single call and email matters. Our elected officials represent us so they need to know what we care about!!!

Call. Email. Share on social media. Personally reach out to friends and family and ask them to take action.

Take easy action:
https://secure.humaneworld.org/page/187442/action/1?locale=en-US

THANK YOU!

05/01/2026

Wonderful news in Colorado! 🎉

Big news for animals in Colorado: puppy mill sales are on their way out! 🎉

With Governor Polis’ signature, Colorado has officially become the 9th state to ban the sale of puppies in pet stores—a major step forward in cutting off a key pipeline that fuels cruel puppy mills.

We share this victory with advocates, lawmakers and supporters like you who spoke up for dogs who deserve better than a life of suffering.

05/01/2026

This is important.

The House just passed the Farm Bill with language that would prevent states from enacting animal welfare standards. It's now being considered in the Senate, so we need to act now!

Call and/or email your U.S. Senators. If you don't know who they are, visit whosmyrep.org.

In Minnesota you will be reaching out to:

▪︎ Senator Amy Klobuchar
202-224-3244
[email protected]

▪︎ Senator Tina Smith
202-224-5641
[email protected]

Urge them to vote NO on the Farm Bill that includes Save Our Bacon Act language.

You can also visit the link in the comments for a quick email form!

PLEASE SHARE! We need all hands on deck!

04/29/2026

The latest Horrible Hundred has dropped.

Wisconsin replaced Ohio in second place.

More than half of the breeders in the report are USDA licensed - which speaks to how poor their standards are.

Many of the dealers are linked the American Kennel Club (AKC).

About half of the breeders are repeat offenders -- which highlights how poor enforcement and protection for dogs is.

In August 2025, at a dog breeding operation in Missouri, a husky mix named Masterpiece got sick with diarrhea and appeared weak. The owner of the facility, who is licensed under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, simply killed him. In response, the USDA suspended the breeder’s license in January ...