Programs

  • Animal Law Resources Program

    Animal Law Resources GOAL: To foster professionalism and competency by providing training, resources, and support to Minnesota authorities responsible for the enforcement of animal law. 2022 Strategies and Actions * Animal Folks wrote an animal cruelty chapter for the Minnesota Judges Criminal Benchbook, 7th Edition, in 2021; this chapter was updated in 2022. The Benchbook is used by judges and prosecutors while conducting legal research on Minnesota criminal laws and related issues. * Animal Cruelty Training for Veterinary Students - Ongoing: For the third year, Animal Folks worked with veterinarians at the University of Minnesota to teach senior veterinary students about animal cruelty and how to identify, document, and report suspected or known animal cruelty. Once licensed, these students will become mandated reporters. * Reporting Animal Cruelty manual - Animal Folks made updates to the Reporting Animal Cruelty manual used by veterinarians.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $43K

  • Legislative Action for Animal Protection

    Legislative Action GOAL: To lead and support state and local legislative efforts, including crafting of humane laws, lobbying, and advocacy, that protects animals and lays a foundation for systemic reform. 2022 Strategies and Actions * Office of Animal Protection bill (OAP) - A major effort of Animal Folks during 2022 was the writing of the Office of Animal Protection bill to be introduced during the 2023 legislative session. This office would be housed under the Department of Public Safety and its purpose would be to provide assistance to local, state, tribal, and federal agencies in the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of animal cruelty. Significant research for this bill was conducted in 2022, including interviewing numerous subject experts in Minnesota such as sheriffs, police, prosecutors, veterinarians, social workers, and others, and assessing over 20 states for best practices on animal cruelty enforcement. * Companion Animal Board bill - Animal Folks continued lobbying and advocating for the Companion Animal Board (CAB) bill, to be reintroduced during the Minnesota legislative session in 2023. The CAB will establish a new state board to address companion animal (pet) issues. * City of Blaine: Humane Pet Store Ordinance - In 2022, Animal Folks, working with the "Go Humane, Blaine" coalition, lobbied the Blaine City Council to adopt a Humane Pet Store Ordinance. One of the largest pet stores that still buys from puppy mills is located in Blaine. Due to November elections, new council members were elected. Animal Folks continued to update the website with new information: www.gohumaneblaine.com. * Winona County: Puppy Mill Initiative - Working with residents in Winona County, Animal Folks continued its efforts in 2022 to ask the Winona County Board to enact a moratorium on further permitting of large-scale commercial breeders (puppy mills) in its county so as to study the dog breeding industry and impact on animal welfare, its permit conditions, and its compliance measures. This was successful; the county board in October 2022 agreed to hear and discuss this issue in 1st quarter of 2023. Animal Folks testified before the board numerous times, and worked with residents to coordinate efforts in support of county action including door-knocking, collection of petitions, and placement of ads. Animal Folks also continued to update the website: www.speakupwinonacounty.org. * Tracking of state bills - Ongoing: Animal Folks tracked bills introduced at the MN Legislature related to animal issues. This information was posted on the Animal Folks website.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $24.5K

  • Animal Cruelty Research Initiative

    Animal Cruelty Research GOAL: To research animal cruelty cases and issues pertaining to crimes against animals and provide credible Minnesota-specific data to the public, agencies, and organizations upon request. 2022 Strategies and Actions * Animal Cruelty Databank - Work continued on the animal cruelty databank, including development of the web-based system which will display case details and make it easier to code and analyze animal cruelty cases (convictions and dismissals) and the link to human violence. * Data Requests - Animal Folks submitted data requests to various states to obtain data on Minnesota dog breeding facilities. Data requests pertain to CVIs showing imports and exports of animals to/from Minnesota by and between dog breeders and pet stores. This data is used in testimony to illustrate where puppies are sourced. Numerous data requests were also made to local police departments/sheriff offices for documents related cases of animal cruelty. * General research - Various animal-related topics are researched for use on the website, emails, and social media; ongoing project.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $49.2K