​Our Mission

To investigate allegations and reports of animal abuse, cruelty and neglect in the state of Minnesota; to rescue animals from harm's way; to bring to justice those who would do harm to animals of any type or breed in Minnesota; to advise the legislature and counties on animal protection legislation; to assist local and county humane societies in their daily operations.

343.01 PURPOSES; POWERS; COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
Subdivision 1.Formation authorized.
 
A state federation of county and district societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals may be created as a corporation under chapter 317A for the purpose provided in section 343.06. The federation may appoint representatives in any county where no active county or district society exists for the purpose of receiving and accounting for funds from any source, and may also appoint agents at large to carry out the work of the federation throughout the state. The federation and all county and district societies may appoint agents for the purpose of investigating or otherwise assisting lawfully empowered officials in the prosecution of persons charged with cruelty to animals. Appointed agents must have training and experience in activities relating to prevention of cruelty to animals or enforcement of laws relating to cruelty to animals. The federation may make bylaws as are necessary to implement its authority under this chapter and under chapter 317A.
Subd. 1a.Minnesota Humane Society; continuation confirmed.
 
The Minnesota Humane Society, also known as the Minnesota Society for the Prevention of Cruelty, is confirmed and continued as a nonprofit organization under chapter 317A.
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Subd. 1b.Independent organizations; powers of the federated humane societies.
(a) The Minnesota Humane Society, also known as the Minnesota Society for the Prevention of Cruelty, and the Minnesota federated humane societies are not affiliated with each other or with the state of Minnesota.
(b) The Minnesota federated humane societies have the powers given to it under this chapter.

Subd. 2.Unauthorized use of names prohibited.
It is unlawful for any organization, association, firm or corporation not named in this chapter to refer to itself as or in any way to use the names Minnesota federated humane societies, Minnesota Society for the Prevention of Cruelty, the Minnesota Humane Society, or any combination of words or phrases using the above names which would imply that it represents, acts in behalf or is a branch of the society or the federation.

Subd. 3.Powers and duties.
The federation and the society must each be governed by a board of directors designated in accordance with chapter 317A. The powers, duties, and organization of the federation and the society and other matters for the conduct of the business of the federation and the society are as provided in chapter 317A and in the articles of incorporation and bylaws of each organization.

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​MFHS Board of Directors

Jeff Dow, Founder/President, State Humane Agent

Mr. Dow was born and raised in Minneapolis and remembers always having all types of pets.  He and his family moved to Buffalo, MN to try small town living since he was on the road a lot traveling for his job.  While there Jeff attended a meeting of people who wanted to start a county humane society and ended up being appointed President of the Wright County Humane Society.  He served in that capacity for many years and with the help of some great volunteers, they built the humane society into a viable organization using a string of foster homes and eventually we were able to rent a vacant kennel to establish our shelter.

During that period, Jeff became friends with executive directors from other humane societies in the state and together they realized there was a need for an umbrella organization to help county humane societies throughout Minnesota. Mr. Dow was on the steering committee that formed the Minnesota Federated Humane Societies in 1987. Besides helping county humane societies, they provided education, legislation and most importantly established an effective investigative network of trained and certified humane agents.  Over the years, he served on the board as president, vice-president and treasurer. Jeff was also one of the first humane agents when MFHS started conducting investigations pursuant to the Minnesota statutes. Mr. Dow has seen a lot of changes over the years and is very excited about the future of MFHS. "We have the opportunity now to do great things for the abused and abandoned animals in Minnesota."

Elisa Soper-Johnson, Vice President, Administrator, State Humane Agent

Elisa Soper-Johnson is a business professional and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in non-profit and for profit organizations.

Elisa was introduced to animal rescue and rehabilitation early on where she developed her exceptional skills as a professional animal rehab, care and behavioral specialist. She has been involved in animal rescue and welfare issues for over 40 years and continues to champion for their well being and welfare.

Mrs. Soper-Johnson studied graphic design and business and holds an MFA in architectural design with a concentration in business management and development with continuing education in shelter management, humane agent/law enforcement training and animal welfare studies. She has owned and operated successful companies in Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan. She has served as Chairman on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota No-Kill Alliance. She has managed several departments, meeting and exceeding deadlines and creating successful working teams. She also holds the position as Executive Director of NARS, Inc. where she manages all aspects of the nonprofit company, overseeing daily operations of the facility, including animal care for a variety of species, and evolving with the needs of the community and changing trends.

Elisa takes great pride in running successful departments and organizations, and in developing and maintaining working partnerships.  She recognized early on that forming personal and professional relationships with reputable colleagues in ethical rescue provided an exceptional support system throughout the State of Minnesota and surrounding region. Elisa strives for excellence and success in all her endeavors and will continue to champion for animal welfare here in the great state of Minnesota and beyond. "We have assembled an incredible group of professionals and I am honored to be a part of this extraordinary team and organization working toward creating better communities for both humans and animals."

Gail Anderson, Secretary, State Humane Agent

Gail Anderson is currently employed as Operations Manager for Advanced Minnesota, the Customized Training/Continuing Education Division for the Northeast Higher Education District, within Minnesota State. This work focuses on workforce development, creating training programs and partnering with granting agencies to serve all sectors of business and industry.

Gail holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of Minnesota. Other achievements include earning a Six Sigma Green Belt through St. Thomas University and a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification through the American Society for Quality (ASQ). In addition to delivering Six Sigma Green Belt Certification courses, she is also an instructor for Dementia Care Certification courses.

Growing up on a farm in northern Minnesota, Gail’s life was filled with experiences with farm animals, companion animals and wildlife. She developed a love for all animals and the great outdoors. Over the subsequent years, this love was nurtured through involvement in animal foster, rescue, spay/neuter initiatives, TNR projects, transfer and rehoming animals and basically, anything-animal. She also served as a 10-year active volunteer for the local animal shelter, with 5 years as the President.

Gail has been an active State Humane Agent for several years with Minnesota Federated Humane Societies. She is the proud owner of a Quarter Horse and a Missouri Fox Trotter, four cats and fond memories of dogs recently passed. Living on a hobby farm, you will find her fostering and rehoming a handful of animals at any given time, and pet sitting for friends and relatives.

Mario Lee, Treasurer

Mario Lee joined the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office in April 2012 and has served as the Animal Control Officer since 2014.
 
Mario is nationally certified through the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA)
 
Officer Lee has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Macalester College and a Master’s in Business Administration from the Minnesota School of Business. He currently holds a Life, Accident/Health Insurance license in Minnesota and is Treasurer and Steward for his union--AFSCME Local 8.

​Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, Officer Lee was a higher education Financial Aid Director at various colleges for 17 years and worked in Twin Cities K-12 schools developing youth leadership and service learning programs. In his spare time, he drove city buses (public transportation) up until the fall of 2015.

​Timothy Baskin
  
Tim has been employed as a police officer assigned to the 1st precinct in downtown Minneapolis.  Prior to that he did private security work for 10 years and attained his law enforcement degree from Normandale College and St. Paul College.  He's always had animals in his life starting with cats as a child, then dogs, and now rabbits, gerbils, and mice.​ Officer Baskin is experienced in working as a police officer pertaining to animal welfare issues whether it be physical abuse, abandoned animals, dogs left alone in their apartment for long hours, or animals being left in cars on hot days, and working with Animal Control.  He has noticed great strides and improvements in the area of animal welfare enforcement and the resources available. " I want to see this improvement continue throughout the state.  I have always loved being an advocate for animals."

​Photo Pending

Amon Johnson, State Humane Agent

Although a life long care giver of animals, Amon is relatively new to the specifics of animal rescue and rehabilitation. Amon has spent the past three years learning various aspects of animal rescue and rehab and what it means to dedicate his life to the well being of animals, both wild and domestic. Becoming a Minnesota Federated Humane Agent in 2016 added one more level to his commitment to being a champion for animal well-being and welfare.
 
Amon studied nursing and engineering and has been employed with Dow/Dupont Corporation for over 23 years. While serving in this position, Mr. Johnson has fulfilled several different roles as Trainer, Coordinator and is currently the 5S and Safety Representative, helping to ensure an efficient, safe and organized operation. Amon also holds a second class B boiler license. He is trained in 1st aid and is CPR certified.
 
Amon assists in the management of the nonprofit organization, helping to oversee daily operations of the facility and providing care to the diverse mix of animal species that reside there. 
 
Amon brings a wealth of skills and experience to the table and is guided by a strong moral compass. He has demonstrated the ability to motivate and organize a team. He works well in a crisis; he can be counted on to remain calm and focused on the task at hand. Amon is often the voice of reason and handles situations in an objective, ethical way.  He provides realistic solutions in the most challenging situations. Amon is thorough and precise in his work. He takes great pride in his family and his faith as a dedicated husband, father and his current calling as a primary teacher with his wife, Elisa.
 
"I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Minnesota Federated Humane Societies and will continue to champion for the ethical treatment of animals."

Kathleen Zweber, State Humane Agent

Kathleen Zweber serves the board with an education that includes agribusiness and professional experience in retail business development.  She developed and directs a growing nonprofit that provides support services to animal rescues, shelters and sanctuaries and works for another nonprofit that provides trauma-informed mental health care to youth.  She grew up and spent her early adulthood in Saint Paul but now lives on the North Shore near Duluth, enabling her to consider issues from diverse rural and urban perspectives.  Kathleen’s favorite sport is jousting, she considers anything cooked with curry to be “comfort food” and she enjoys going to concerts and visiting state and regional parks with her partner, Kyle.

Michael Frye, Training, State Humane Agent

PHOTO & BIO PENDING

Jena Wasche, Training, State Humane Agent

​District Lead- Investigator
Animal Crimes Unit
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​PHOTO & BIO PENDING

CONSULTING/ADVISORY
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Daniel Almeida, MV, MS, Diplomat ACVAA Assistant Professor
Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Veterinary Medical Center of Veterinary Medicine
University of Minnesota

​PHOTO & BIO PENDING