The following licensed commercial breeders qualify for the Breeder Excellence Program and have earned badges.
Table Key: X = Badge Earned (see Breeder Excellence FAQ for requirements to earn badge)
| Breeder | County | Behavior and Socialization Badge |
Canine Brucellosis Badge |
Continuing Education Badge |
Facility Management Badge |
Health Screening Badge |
Breeder of Excellence Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spot-On Farm | Dakota | X | X | X | X | X | X |
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health developed a program to recognize licensed commercial breeders who demonstrate excellence and exceed the standards and practices of the commercial breeder law. This program was developed with the input of an advisory task force comprised of licensed commercial breeders, veterinarians who work with commercial breeders, and Board of Animal Health inspectors and staff.
Participation in this program is voluntary and breeders have the opportunity to demonstrate excellence by earning any of five badges. Refer to the Breeder Excellence Program FAQ for more detailed information on requirements for earning each badge. A breeder who earns all five badges is awarded a Breeder of Excellence designation.
Participation in this program is not a full guarantee that animals from these facilities are free from disease or underlying health conditions.
To qualify for the Breeder Excellence Program, a breeder must be licensed with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and must not have had any violations with the Commercial Dog or Cat Breeder program during the most recent licensing period.
Applicants must complete the following documents and submit them to the Board (refer to the Breeder Excellence Badges Checklist).
Required documentation may be submitted by email at companion.animal@state.mn.us or mail to:
Minnesota Board of Animal Health
Attn: Companion Animal Division
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Board administrative staff will review the submitted program application and all associated documentation to verify badge requirements have been met. An onsite inspection may be required for additional verification. Once the Board has determined that breeder has met all necessary qualifications, a badge will be awarded. Inspectors will audit program participants to ensure they meet all badge requirements during their routine inspection and may conduct additional inspections as needed.
A statutory program to recognize people who demonstrate commercial breeder excellence and exceed the standards and practices required of commercial breeders in Minnesota.
The Breeder Excellence program officially started July 1, 2020.
Only commercial dog or cat breeders licensed with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (Board) can apply to be part of the Breeder Excellence program. A commercial dog or cat breeder must not have had any violations with the Commercial Dog or Cat Breeder program during the most recent licensing period.
Commercial dog and cat breeders that exceed the standards and practices required of commercial breeders have the opportunity to earn up to five different badges in the Breeder Excellence program. A commercial breeder that earns all five badges will be recognized as a Breeder of Excellence. Program badges are good for one-year only and qualifying breeders will receive a new badge each year that they apply they qualify.
A commercial dog or cat breeder may display any or all badges earned at their facility or in any advertising. The Board will maintain a list of commercial dog and cat breeders in the Breeder Excellence program on this page.
To qualify for the behavior and socialization badge, commercial dog and cat breeders must:
Create a log of enrichment activities detailing at least 60 days of plan implementation to be reviewed and approved by Board inspectors.
To qualify for the canine brucellosis screening badge, commercial dog breeders must:
Present copies of test results verifying that each dog added to the facility not tested as indicated above was isolated until tested negative to two approved canine brucellosis tests performed at least 12 weeks apart.
To qualify for the continuing education badge, commercial dog and cat breeders must:
Present documented evidence of a formal training program for all facility employees.
To qualify for the facility management badge, commercial dog and cat breeders must:
Submit a written emergency response plan to the Board for review which outlines facility management’s response to natural and man made disasters including a detailed evacuation plan and an alternate care plan if primary staff are unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances.
To qualify for the facility management badge, commercial cat breeders must:
Present copies of test results verifying that each cat added to the facility not tested as indicated above was isolated until tested negative to an approved test for FeLV and FIV.
To qualify for the health screening badge, commercial dog and cat breeders must:
Present copies of results of health screening performed under the direction of a licensed veterinarian on all adult (28 weeks of age or older) intact animals in their breeding facility. Screening may include genetic or disease testing and/or parasite and disease screening.
The Board encourages anyone looking to acquire a new pet to contact the breeder directly to address questions about the animal you wish to purchase or their breeding facility.
Enrollment of a breeder in the Breeder of Excellence program means the annual qualifications for a badge of excellence at the time of application had been met. Successful enrollment is not a guarantee or warranty by the Board of Animal Health of an animal’s health or fitness. A purchaser should work with individual breeders or refer to Minnesota Statutes 325F regarding their consumer rights.