Minnesota: Second Pet Shop Sales Ban Bill to be Heard Friday, 3/20/26

Minnesota Senate File 1943, which seeks to prohibit pet shops from selling dogs and cats, is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Friday, March 20, 2026. Pet shops that have been open for at least one year would be grandfathered. The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes SF 1943 and urges all Minnesota residents to contact the members of the committee to request that they protect freedom of choice in choosing a pet by not advancing this bill. (Scroll down for contact information.)

HF 2726 Summary:

Defines pet shop as a pet dealer that operates a physical retail store from which animals are sold or offered for sale to the public, whether through an appointment or otherwise.
Prohibits pet shops from selling, offering to sell, barter, auction, or otherwise transfer ownership of an animal (defined as a dog or cat). However, as is already permitted under current law, the bill explicitly allows pet shops to showcase animals on behalf of a non-profit shelter or rescue. Those shelters or rescues would not be required to work with existing pet stores.
Would bar pet shops from having an ownership interest in an animal offered for adoption or receiving a fee for providing space for animal adoption.
Pet shops that sold or offered for sale an animal from its physical premises for at least one year before the bill becomes law would be grandfathered, and may continue to operate as a pet shop and engage in the sale of animals if (1) animals sold or offered for sale are obtained only from USDA- or state-licensed breeders, and (2) the pet shop discloses the USDA or state license number for the animal’s breeder in advertisements to sell a specific animal.
Allows counties, cities, towns, or townships to enact and enforce stricter regulations, including prohibitions on selling animals by pet dealers.

Click here for information on SF 1943’s companion bill, HF 2627, which was amended and approved by the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee on March 12th.

Why AKC Opposes SF 1943:
AKC emphatically supports freedom of choice in selecting a pet and actively promotes efforts to ensure that people are educated, understand the demands of responsible ownership, and have access to a pet that is right for them. AKC strongly opposes any measure that restricts choice by compelling people and/or retailers to obtain pets solely from shelter or rescue distributors.

SF 1943 would effectively eliminate puppies that have the greatest health substantiation for sale to the public, and replace them with dogs of unknown breed, health, and behavioral backgrounds. AKC believes that great pets come from a variety of sources, including from hobby breeders, pet stores, animal shelters, and rescues. Minnesota pet purchasers should continue to enjoy the freedom to purchase a pet of their choice from the source of their choice.

Click here to learn more about Pet Choice and Pet Store Restrictions.

What You Can Do:
Concerned Minnesota residents are strongly encouraged to contact the members of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee to express their opposition to SF 1943 and to urge the committee to not approve the bill as introduced.

To have your comment be considered prior to the hearing, submit comments by noon tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Those provided after that may be shared with committee members after the scheduled hearing. Testimony to the entire committee may be emailed to Committee Administrator Nicole Kaplan – nicole.kaplan@senate.mn.

Sen. Ron Latz, Chair

651-297-8065, sen.ron.latz@mnsenate.gov

Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten, Vice Chair

651-296-8866, sen.clare.oumou.verbeten@mnsenate.gov

Sen. Warren Limmer, Ranking Minority Member

651-296-2159 – sen.warren.limmer@mnsenate.gov

Sen. Doron Clark

651-296-7809, sen.doron.clark@mnsenate.gov

Sen. Michael W. Holmstrom

651-296-5981, sen.Michael.Homstrom@mnsenate.gov

Sen. Michael E. Kreun

651-296-1282, sen.michael.kreun@mnsenate.gov