"Detecting unscrupulous breeders operating 'puppy mills' is challenging." —Manitoba Agriculture

Challenge accepted! 

Contact Manitoba Minister of Agriculture Minister Kostyshyn and tell him to require all breeders to register with the province today!

minagr@manitoba.ca
204-945-3722 
@MBGovAg (X Twitter) 

Follow and share this campaign on Instagram @bapointe

Excerpts from my correspondence with Manitoba Agriculture asking for licensing requirements for companion animal breeders:

Manitoba Agriculture: Dear Barbara La Pointe:

This letter is in response to your email received on January 13, 2025, regarding kennel licensing in our province. As Assistant Deputy Minister for Agriculture, I am pleased to respond.

We appreciate hearing from you, and thank you for sharing your concerns. Our government takes the issue of animal welfare very seriously. Manitoba has one of the most rigorous animal care legislations in Canada. In the spring of 2020, Manitoba launched a free, online Kennel Training Certificate Program. This training course was developed based on the Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations developed by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. Following successful completion of the course, individuals are required to pass an exam before receiving certification. Those holding the certification can use it to demonstrate their commitment to following this accepted code of practice.

In addition to the training program, the Animal Care Act (the Act) requires all owners, breeders, caregivers and/or kennel operators to uphold animal welfare standards as prescribed in the Act, and its related regulations and codes. The Animal Care Line receives complaints from concerned members of the public, and can assign an Animal Protection Officer to inspect all welfare concerns including those that may occur within breeding operations, kennels and pet stores. Anyone who has direct knowledge of animal mistreatment or abuse can call the Animal Care Line at 204 945-8000 or 1-888-945-8001.

Detecting unscrupulous breeders operating ‘puppy mills’ is challenging. The probability of these breeders self-identifying and complying with the requirement for a breeder’s license is very low to nil. It is through tips from the public about these types of operations that will lead to inspection and enforcement actions.

There are other ways for information to be brought to light about puppy mills. People seeking to purchase a dog can take steps to lower the demand for dogs produced in puppy mills by asking questions about the operation; asking to visit the breeding operation before committing to purchase; refusing to pick up an animal from an unknown breeder at an off-site location, and reporting details of suspicious behaviour to the ACL. We are exploring ways to reinforce these messages through collaboration with stakeholders.

Thank you again for contacting our department on this matter and for your compassion for animal welfare in our province. Working together with input from concerned citizens like you, we are committed to make a difference and strengthen animal welfare in our province.

Yours truly,

Maurice Bouvier
Assistant Deputy Minister
c. Honourable Ron Kostyshyn, Minister of Agriculture

Barbara, Petition starter: Thank you for your detailed response regarding pet breeding regulations in Manitoba. Your letter has prompted several important follow-up questions and opportunities for consideration.

I appreciate learning about Manitoba's free, online Kennel Training Certificate Program. However, given that completion is voluntary, what is the rationale for not making this certification mandatory for breeders?

Manitoba Agriculture: This was a decision of government at that time to make it voluntary. Regardless of the training program, all operators must meet the standards set in the Animal Care Act, including A Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations, published by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, 2007 (adopted by reference in Animal Care Regulation, M.R. 126/98)

Barbara: Regarding the challenge of identifying and regulating puppy mills, have you considered that Quebec and New Brunswick have implemented mandatory annual inspections and provincial permits for dog and cat breeders? Will you connect with the Ministers in these provinces to learn from their experiences and assess the effectiveness of these measures?

Manitoba Agriculture: We are examining the effectiveness of a broad-based inspection program. One concern we have with the approach is the efficacy of getting at unscrupulous breeders who tend to operate under the radar of licensing. We are closely looking at that aspect.

Barbara: I was encouraged by your mention about potential public education initiatives to address puppy mills through enhanced consumer awareness and reporting. In this context, I'd like to draw your attention to successful models already implemented in New Brunswick, where the Canadian Kennel Club has established effective partnerships with both the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick SPCA. These collaborations have produced comprehensive resources guiding potential pet owners through responsible acquisition processes, regardless of whether they choose to adopt from shelters, breeders, or rescues. These initiatives (YourNextPet.ca and nbspca.ca/your-next-pet) provide excellent frameworks for public education. 

Manitoba Agriculture: Thank you for sharing. We were aware of the New Brunswick campaign. We are in preliminary discussions with similar stakeholders in Manitoba on the topic of an education campaign.

Follow and share this campaign on Instagram @bapointe