Better Laws for Kansas Paws TM
About Us
Kansas Pet Advocates is dedicated to protecting the lives of Kansas pets through legislation, policy, and public education.
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Our mission is to make Kansas a leading state in pet health and well-being by promoting laws and policies that protect pet health, support responsible ownership, and create statewide solutions to pet overpopulation.
Our Advocacy Approach
Legislative Leadership
We collaborate with state lawmakers to craft and promote policies that protect pets from neglect and suffering and elevate pet animal health and well-being. Our evidence-based approach ensures that legislation is grounded in data and aligned with the best interests of Kansas pets and communities.
Data-Driven Strategy
Our advocacy is informed by research, trend analysis, and measurable outcomes. This ensures that our initiatives prioritize issues with the greatest impact and help lawmakers create durable reforms.
Policy Education and Engagement
We educate and engage the public, lawmakers, and stakeholders—sharing insights, success metrics, and real-world stories that support strategic improvements in pet health, shelter operations, and owner accountability.
Take Action on SB 344 TODAY!
One More Chance for Neonate Bill!
The Kansas Legislature adjourned without passing a conference committee report (CCR) that included SB 344, the bill that would allow shelters to place neonates in foster homes during the stray hold period.
We cannot let this fail.
Before lawmakers return for the veto session on Thursday, April 9, they must hear from their constituents that SB 344 must pass.
Take action now. Legislators are home for the next week and a half, and this is the window to reach them. Call them. Email them. Meet with them. Invite them to tour your shelter and see first-hand the level of care required to keep these vulnerable animals alive.
Tell your legislators that when they return on April 9, they must speak directly with:
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House Speaker Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita)
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House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Chair Ken Rahjes (R-Agra)
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Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover)
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Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Chair Virgil Peck (R-Havana)
They need to demand that the Agriculture conference committee pass SB 344 in a CCR.
KPA lobbyists have already spoken with legislators who have all been supportive, but leadership will only move if they know this matters to their constituents and voters.
Do not wait. Contact your Senator AND Representative today and tell them: SB 344 is a must-pass bill.
Decriminalizing TNVR Legislation
TNVR Decriminalization Bill Heads to Governor
The contents of HB 2535, the bill decriminalizing trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats, were bundled with several other bills and passed as a conference committee report (CCR) in HB 2413. Both the Senate and the House passed it UNANIMOUSLY, and it now makes its way to Governor Laura Kelly.
Other Initiatives
Funding Spay/Neuter Programs
To combat Kansas’s ongoing pet overpopulation crisis, we are partnering with shelters, rescues, and local leaders to expand access to affordable spay and neuter services. Securing stable statewide funding is essential to reducing shelter intake, euthanasia rates, and long-term costs to taxpayers.
Regulatory Reform
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We are working with state policymakers to ensure that shelter and rescue regulations are fair, efficient, and effective. Our goal is to revise or eliminate overly burdensome requirements that hinder lifesaving work—allowing organizations to focus resources where they matter most: the pets.
Policy Successes
Kansas Pet Advocates (KPA) has a proven track record of shaping state policy to improve the lives of pets. Since our founding, we have successfully advanced legislation and secured funding reforms that protect pets, promote accountability, and prevent cruelty.
Preventing the Return of Live Greyhound Racing in Kansas
In 2022, when the Kansas Legislature legalized sports wagering, KPA (then operating as Stray Dog Policy) successfully pushed for a critical safeguard: gambling would be allowed at racetrack gaming facilities without permitting live greyhound racing. This provision ensures that greyhound racing cannot return to Kansas.
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Increased Funding for Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) program
A 2018 Legislative Post Audit report found that the AFI program lacked sufficient inspectors and failed to hold facilities that were failing accountable. In 2023, KPA worked with the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) and the Kelly Administration to secure funding for both an investigative inspector and a dedicated attorney—strengthening the state’s capacity to oversee pet animal facilities.
Cutting Down on Wasteful “No-Contact” Inspections
KDA reported wasting tens of thousands of dollars annually on inspections where licensees were unavailable. In 2018, KPA proposed legislation requiring licensees to pay a $200 fee for each no-contact inspection. This reform has halved the number of no-contact inspections, saving money and improving efficiency.
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Passed a "Good Samaritan" Law for Pets in Hot Cars
In 2018, the Humane Society Legislative Fund of Kansas (now KPA) played a leading role in passing a “Good Samaritan” law. The statute protects individuals from civil liability when they rescue a child or animal trapped in a hot car. With this victory, Kansas joined 18 other states in giving legal protection to those who act to save lives.
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KPA does not handle individual cases of animal cruelty, neglect, local disputes, or shelter/animal control concerns. Contact your local animal control agency, law enforcement, or humane society if you need immediate assistance.
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If your concern relates to statewide policy or law, we welcome your input and support for our advocacy efforts.