SIGN PETITION IN SUPPORT

Sign the petition below in support of the Companion Animal Board bill.
(If you have already signed the petition in previous years, no need to re-do - we have your name on file.)
Based on you address, we will submit this petition to your state legislators.
Our lobbying and advocacy efforts continue all year - when the Legislature is in session and also during the interim months.
No names are sold or shared with others. You will receive emails and updates from Animal Folks.

OTHER ACTIONS

Download flyer

This two-page flyer gives a summation of the Companion Animal Board bill and can be shared: CAB FLYER
Help change Committee Jurisdiction for pets at the Minnesota Legislature

"Committee jurisdiction" determines who is in charge (who has power) of certain bills/issues at the Minnesota Legislature. Based on this jurisdiction, bills are referred to specific committees to be heard.

"Pet animals" are under the jurisdiction of the Agriculture committee, which provides decisions on policy and funding. In the Senate, this is specified in the Senate committee jurisdiction report. In the House, there is no formal, written report.

This must change. Pets are companions, not agricultural products. Agricultural interests have different needs, where animals are often seen as economic units. While all animals require proper welfare standards, pets are companions to people, making their needs unique. Oversight and decisions for pet issues should be separated from agriculture.

The Senate and House leadership have influence over committee jurisdiction. The discussion for this issue and separating pet animals from the agriculture committee must begin now — in preparation for the 2025 session.

Contact the legislators below. Respectfully ask that they make this issue a priority and begin efforts to change the committee jurisdiction for pet animals — and move policy and funding away from Agriculture.


Sample email is at right. If you are their constituent, please state that in your email.
SAMPLE EMAIL to legislators (legislator emails at left):
"I am asking you to take action on the committee jurisdiction for pets. For decades, decisions for pet issues have gone to the Agriculture committee. Pets are companions, not agricultural products. It is time to change who makes policy and funding decisions for pet issues. Please redirect the jurisdiction for "pet animals"  away from Agriculture. I realize it is not your decision alone, but you are a key influencer with this issue. This is critical — for current pet-related bills and future bills. Thank you."
[Add your name and address]
Contact your own state legislators

It's important that your own state legislators (Senator and House Representative) hear from you and your support of the Companion Animal Board bill.

The bill did not move forward this session, but we still need to build awareness and support among all legislators in preparation for next session.

Do you know who represents you? See the column at right to find your legislators.

Once you have your legislators' names, email, write, or call each and ask for their support of the CAB bill. Below is a sample message (customize in your own words and add why pets are important to you):
"Hello, My name is <insert your name> and I live in your district. I support the creation of a state agency with a mission 100% dedicated to the needs of the pet sector - that will provide the necessary expertise in pet welfare issues. Currently, no such agency exists in Minnesota. Pets are not agricultural products and these issues should not be under the control of agriculture or livestock production. The Companion Animal Board bill (SF 1136/HF 1168) did not pass in 2023-2024 but we are not giving up. We need your support of this issue. Pets are important to Minnesotans and pet issues must be separated from agricultural interests. Sincerely <insert your name and address."
Who Represents you?

Click here for the Geographic Information Services
Just click the link above and enter your address, city, state, and zipcode.
Your state and federal legislators with names information will be displayed. This bill is a state bill — choose your MN House Representative and MN Senate legislator.
Contact other state legislators

Legislators sit on different committees which may hear specific bills.

The Companion Animal Board bill was referred to the Senate and House Agriculture committees. The chairs did not grant the bill a hearing during the 2023 or 2024 legislative session, so it did not progress.

Please check back here for details for the 2025 session. 
Volunteer

Help generate awareness about the Companion Animal Board (CAB) bill and why it is needed. This might be talking to others in your community, writing a letter to the editor, donating to help pay for materials, making posts on social media, attending events, or other actions.

Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering.
Donate to create change for companion animals

Getting legislation passed at the MN Legislature requires funds for lobbying, advocacy, constituent-building, events, messaging, and other efforts.

Working with supporting partners, Animal Folks is coordinating legislative efforts.
Please donate to support these actions.
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