Minnesotans Exposing the Pet Trade

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This is a milestone worth celebrating—not only for the dogs leaving Ridglan, but for the growing movement to replace outdated animal testing with modern, human-relevant science.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

04/28/2026

Last week we shared a video from the pet store bill hearing in the Senate, highlighting comments made by a Senator who voted "no" against the bill. He posed a rhetorical question asking if "rights" are granted to dogs, what might be next, wild rice?

It sounded ridiculous, until we were urged to dig a little deeper, thanks to a community member's kind suggestion.

The reality is, wild rice actually DOES need protection. Here are some of the many reasons:

▪︎ it is sacred to many Indigenous people and is a core component of their cultural identity
▪︎ it's a nutrient-rich, natural food source that doesn't require the use of pesticides, fertilizers, or harsh chemicals
▪︎ it supports rural economies
▪︎ plays a crucial role in preventing toxic algae blooms and absorbs carbon dioxide
▪︎ fosters vital habitat for fish
▪︎ it's essential for safeguarding Tribal food security and upholding Tribal treaty rights

There are several bills with the goal of protecting wild rice from pesticides, watercrafts, and more, which we encourage folks to check out:

▪︎ SF 3916
▪︎ SF 3748
▪︎ SF 1247

For more reading, please check the comments for a link.

We apologize for our ignorance and in no way meant to disparage a very serious issue in our state! We got this wrong and hope if anything can come from this, it's to encourage calling folks in kindly, educating ourselves, and raising awareness about the importance of protecting wild rice.

04/21/2026

The pet store bill passed in the Senate today!!! 🎉

With 41 yes votes, the bill now needs to go to a vote in the House! This is BIG news and we're feeling so hopeful!

Thank you to Senator Dibble, Humane World for Animals Minnesota State Director Aaron Zellhoefer, and everyone who has worked so hard on this 👏

About the bill:

▪︎ If passes in House, goes into effect August 1, 2026
▪︎ prohibits the opening of new pet stores from selling cats and dogs
▪︎ pet stores may host adoption days for rescues
▪︎ stores currently selling cats and dogs have further transparency requirements such as:

- can only sell animals from state-licensed or USDA-licensed breeder (we acknowledge the standards are NOT ideal)

- must disclose breeder's license number on animal's display

- disclosing all state and federal breeder inspection reports for the 3 years proceeding the sale

- if new regulations are violated 3 times, pet store can no longer sell dogs or cats

See the comments for a link to the bill language and for a photo of how the Senators voted.