GREAT NEWS! The ban passed! On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the Winona County Board voted (3-2) to ban future permits for dog breeding kennels in Winona County. The goal: To protect dogs from harm by not providing further permits for the mass production of puppies. A huge thanks to county commissioners Greg Olson, Chris Meyer, and Dwayne Voegeli who reviewed all the testimony, research, and data provided about the breeding industry by Animal Folks and residents of Winona County — and voted to support the ban on future permits. Please send them a thank you. Learn more at: TAKE ACTION.

​YOUR VOICE WAS HEARD!

Winona County has been known as the "Puppy Mill Capitol of Minnesota." This is due to the fact that, for years, the county has issued numerous local permits to large-scale dog breeding operations. 

The problem starts with the permit

To operate a breeding kennel in Winona County, the business must first obtain a local permit. Many permits were granted without anyone questioning the welfare of the dogs in the kennels.

Animal Folks, working closely with Winona County residents, raised the question: Why? Why are permits granted so easily to these businesses when there is considerable data showing psychological and physical harm to the breeding dogs and puppies.

The issue: Mass production of puppies

Our goal with this campaign: To stop the growth of this industry — and, in doing so, protect dogs from harm. Research has shown that confining dogs for years in kennels to mass produce puppies to sell to pet stores and brokers nationwide is an outdated and cruel business model.

Dr. Franklin McMillan, a professor, researcher, and writer on mental health and well-being of animals, wrote (and testified): "The reason dogs suffer psychological damage in these breeding facilities is not a mystery. During domestication, dogs were selectively bred over the last 15,000 years to be not just social animals, but companion animals — which has created heightened psychological and emotional needs for social companionship. Quite simply, unlike many farm species, dogs are not, and never have been, production animals."

The county board took action

On March 11, 2025, three of the five county board members — Commissioner Greg Olson, Commissioner Chris Meyer, and Commissioner Dwayne Voegeli — took action. They listened to residents; they read the data; and they voted to ban future permits for commercial dog breeding kennels. They placed the welfare of dogs first.

Next step: Please send these commissioners a thank you. Their contact information is at: Take Action.

Learn more about the ISSUE.

WHAT ARE THE VALUES OF WINONA COUNTY?

Puppy mills mass produce puppies for profit. 
Adult breeding dogs are kept confined in the kennels for years and bred repeatedly. Puppies are pulled at 8 weeks and shipped to brokers and pet stores.

WHAT IS A PUPPY MILL?

A puppy mill is a facility with numerous adult dogs confined in cages and pens for the mass production of puppies.

WHO ARE THE BREEDERS?

Multiple dog breeding facilities operate in Winona County; most kennels are located in
​Utica and St. Charles. 

WHAT IS A PERMIT?

A conditional use permit
(CUP) or interim use permit (IUP) is granted by the county and includes conditions.

WHAT IS A LICENSE?

 Depending on size and other factors, dog breeders and brokers may also require a state or federal license.

TAKE ACTION

YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE! CONTINUE TO  SPEAK UP

From signing a petition to contacting commissioners to writing a letter to the editor to attending board meetings to sharing this website and getting your friends involved, your voice has been their voice. You have been the advocate for dogs in the kennels. Thank you.

TAKE ACTION