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House committee weighs ban on pet shops selling cats, dogs

By Lisa Kaczke
Megan Helling tells the House commerce committee about her negative experience after she bought a puppy from a metro area pet store. Sponsored by Rep. Matt Norris, HF2627 would prohibit pet shops from selling cats and dogs, with exceptions for established pet shops who meet certain requirements. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)
Megan Helling tells the House commerce committee about her negative experience after she bought a puppy from a metro area pet store. Sponsored by Rep. Matt Norris, HF2627 would prohibit pet shops from selling cats and dogs, with exceptions for established pet shops who meet certain requirements. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

Just three pet stores in Minnesota sell cats and dogs.

As the pet store industry moves away from selling four-legged friends, Rep. Matt Norris (DFL-Blaine) wants to end those sales entirely at any new pet store that opens in the state and sponsors HF2627 to do so. The bill would grandfather in existing pet stores and require them to be more transparent about the origin of their animals for sale. 

Norris describes it as a compromise between protecting consumers and preventing animal cruelty while not shutting down businesses.

With plenty of differing opinions about bill provisions, the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee laid the bill over Tuesday for possible omnibus bill inclusion.
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