MN House bill would ban selling of cats and dogs from pet stores

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota representatives are discussing a bill that would ban the selling of cats and dogs at pet stores.

HF2627 would also be prohibited from having an ownership interest in an animal offered for adoption, or receive a fee for providing space for animal adoption.

Pet shops would, however, be able to provide space to a nonprofit such as the humane society, or animal rescue to offer animals for adoption.

Those in violation on three separate occasions would be banned from selling, offering to sell, bartering,
auctioning, or otherwise transferring ownership of an animal.

“For years, the pet store industry has trended away from selling live cats and dogs. Advocates have expressed concern about the welfare of animals sold through the few remaining stores that engage in this practice,” said DFL Rep. Matt Norris for Anoka County. “This bill begins the process of ending these sales in our state by prohibiting any stores that don’t currently sell dogs or cats from doing so.”

Several states and local governments have already made it illegal to sell dogs and cats in pet shops, with the goal of reducing the number of “puppy mills.”

The bill was also approved to move on to the House Judiciary, Finance, and Civil Law Committee.