Minnesota has the chance to become a national leader in protecting animals and consumers—but only if we take action to stop the sale of puppy mill dogs in our state’s pet stores. Right now, puppies bred in large-scale commercial breeding facilities—where mother dogs live in isolation, denied basic care—are being shipped into Minnesota and sold as if they came from loving, responsible breeders. They didn’t.

This is the hidden pipeline of cruelty, and Minnesota is helping keep it alive.

Eight states—including California, Maryland, New York, and Illinois—have already banned the retail sale of puppies in pet stores. These laws are cutting off a major revenue stream for the puppy mill industry while protecting families from deception, heartbreak, and high veterinary bills. Minnesota should be next.

Behind each pet store puppy is a mother dog who may have spent most of her life in a wire cage, without receiving the medical care she desperately needed. These breeding dogs are invisible to most consumers—but they are suffering every day for the sake of retail profit.

Enough is enough.

We call on the Minnesota State Legislature—including the House and Senate Agriculture Committees—and Governor Tim Walz to pass legislation that bans the retail sale of puppies, kittens, and rabbits in pet stores across the state. This humane pet store law should encourage stores to work with animal shelters and rescue groups instead, helping more homeless pets find families.

Sign this petition to urge lawmakers to take meaningful action to end this cycle of cruelty.