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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,January 30,2017 Page 8 and John King in opposition to and alleging that the was city attempting drive the Har Mar Pet Shop out of business; a letter from Brandon Sinn, DVM at Lambert Vet Supply in Fairbury, NE, speaking against attempts to shut down regulated parts of the industry in support of non-regulated parts; a letter from Jim Foster, VDM at Red Barn Veterinary Services in Shelbina, MO in support of breeding operations; a letter from A. G. Beukleman, DVM, MPVM at Avenue Veterinary Clinic in Sioux Center, IA in support of pet stores and professional breeders; and a letter from Mindy Patterson, President of The Calvary Group o Grover, MO in support of the city's rejection of a ban on pet sales. Kristin Smith, Blaine, MN and Vanessa Rojos, St. Paul, MN (Pet Store Op- erators) Regarding proposed language in the submitted individual paragraphs, Ms. Rojos questioned the term "pet store"when discussing overnight boarding and if rescues were exempt so their animals could be sheltered overnight; and sought a defini- tion for"provision." Ms. Smith noted the distinction between leaving puppies in a store overnight and adult dogs or cats. Ms. Rojos and Ms. Smith further questioned the definition of "Animal Rescue Organizations" and the rationale in specifying a not-for-profit organization with tax-exempt status under Section 501.C.3 of the IRS code; opining that any animal rescue organization should not receive a negative mark dependent on their tax sta- tus and seeking fairness across the board within the industry. Elaine Hansen, MN Pet Breeder's Association and MN Council of Dog Clubs Providing a description of the organizations she represents as commercial breed- ers and trainers of show dogs for performance competitions, Ms. Hansen ad- dressed several concerns. Ms. Hansen called attention to several things already in law, seeking city review as they deliberate further of MN Statute 325.F.9.1 providing consumer protection of dogs and cats sold by retail pet stores or any person except rescues and shelters under 501.C.3 non-profit status. Ms. Hansen opined that their experience had found less protection for animals at the time of sale if sold by a non-profit versus a retailer or breeder. Ms. Hansen expressed further concern for the earlier-stated term "sale or pur- chase" being replaced by "adoption, with adoption also being considered a sale if consideration was exchanged for an animal, and if subject to sales tax, and still having the same literal affect. Under MN State Statute 347.3 1, Ms. Hansen stated that a kennel licensed by the Board of Animal Health could have the owner liable for any non-compliance with those applicable standards, whether or not the animals on the premise were owned by him or not. While a shop owner was required to absorb all costs related to conducting his business (e.g. maintaining his premises, equipment, sales, employ-