This is grassroots. Your help is needed. It requires deliberate action to change how people think about and treat animals. Minnesotans have the opportunity to set an example.

What you can do

1. Call or email your State legislators and educate them about inhumane dog and cat breeding in Minnesota. Start building a relationship with your legislators so they will be prepared to support new legislation in 2009. Please note: The entire House (not Senate) is up for re-election in 2008.

2. Email this website to others.

3. Sign the online petition and join "include me." Get friends or families from at least 3 other political districts in Minnesota to become aware of the issue and join the database. We need a strong voice now and in 2009.

4. Print the materials below and distribute at events, at work, in your neighborhood, at schools, to your family and friends. The point: To get people informed and talking so legislators will know this is an issue of importance and solutions are needed.

• Hand-outs: ‘Learn more’ cards - Two versions with 4-to-a-page each, one-sided. These 4-color, photo cards can be downloaded, printed, cut and distributed so as to drive people to the website and learn more.
• Overview: Inhumane Breeding – Multi-page summary of inhumane dog and cat breeding; written by Minnesota Humane Society

5. Communicate through local newspapers.

• Run a classified ad in your local newspaper in the “pet” section warning people not to buy unless they first meet the breeder and see the mother and breeding conditions. Many inhumane dog and cat breeders sell through newspapers.
• Write an editorial.
• Run educational ads creating awareness of the problem.

6. Never buy a puppy or kitten from a pet store — unless it’s ‘adoption days’ through a humane society or rescue group. Never buy a puppy or kitten directly from a breeder via the Internet (no matter how wonderful the site looks), through a classified ad or at a parking lot — insist on seeing the animal’s parents and living conditions first.

7. Instead of buying from a breeder, adopt a dog or cat from your local shelter or rescue group; or volunteer by fostering a dog or cat.

8. Immediately report animal neglect or cruelty. File complaints. Go to Report it.

9. Pay close attention to what’s happening within your city and county governments. Many commercial (large) breeders are required to apply for Conditional Use Permits through the county. Attend hearings and voice your opinion.

10. Contact your federal legislators and ask what they will do to improve the Animal Welfare Act in regards to commercial breeding facilities and to encourage the USDA-APHIS to provide stronger enforcement of USDA standards. To contact your Congressman or Congresswoman, call 1-866-876-2737. (This is the Congressional switchboard in Washington D.C.; they will connect you with your federal legislator’s office.)