Board of Animal Health (B.A.H.)

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health (B.A.H.) is a small, nimble agency, governed by a five member citizen board. Each board member is appointed by the Governor for a four-year term; the board, in turn, appoints a veterinarian as the executive director. (Board names are on the B.A.H. website, as is the staff.)

The purpose of B.A.H. is to protect the health of Minnesota's domestic animals. It does this by “preventing, controlling and eliminating animal diseases.” This agency has programs targeted to cattle, deer and elk, dogs and cats, horses, poultry, sheep and goats, swine. It works closely with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health.

In 2008, the State Veterinarian for Minnesota is Dr. Bill Hartmann. 

Regarding dogs and cats:

• The  Board of Animal Health requires a kennel license for facilities, such as humane societies or pounds, that house impounded, stray or abandoned dogs and cats. In 2007, the Board licensed 121 kennels in Minnesota. In 2006, it inspected and licensed 128 kennels. (The B.A.H. does not inspect any facility which is under the direct control of a city or county.)
• The B.A.H. does not license dog and cat breeders, dealers, carriers or exhibitors.
• The B.A.H. also requires certificates of veterinary inspection for all domestic animals that are exported from or imported into Minnesota. This certificate shows “that all dogs and cats 3 months of age and over have been vaccinated or re-vaccinated for rabies with a licensed vaccine.”

LINKS:

• B.A.H.: General information
  
• B.A.H.: Dog and cat division
  
• B.A.H.: Board members
  
• B.A.H.: Annual Report