SB 344 Died. Newborn Puppies and Kittens Are Still at Risk SB 344, the bill that would allow shelters to place neonates in foster homes during the stray hold period, did not pass in the 2026 legislative session. Without this bill, Kansas shelters cannot place fragile newborn puppies and kittens in foster homes during the state-mandated 3-day stray-hold period. SB 344 had strong legislative support as it progressed through the session. It passed the Senate unanimously and re

Legislature Failed to Pass SB 344! During the veto session, the legislature did not advance legislation to allow shelters to place neonates in foster homes during the stray-hold period. Unfortunately, leadership failed to prioritize the passage of this legislation, despite unanimous Senate support and overwhelming support from Representatives. SB 344 died on the last day, when the House abruptly adjourned, allowing 21 bills already scheduled for debate to die. Had it gone t

Bravo Pet Advocates! TNVR DECRIMINALIZED -HB 2413 Approved by the Governor This just in! Governor Laura Kelly has approved HB 2413 . The contents of HB 2535 , the bill decriminalizing trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats, was 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 has just been APPROVED by Governor Laura Kelly . Thank you to everyone who wr

Neonate Bill Delayed, but Still Very Much Alive! One More Chance for Neonate Bill ! The Kansas Legislature adjourned on Friday 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!

Neonate Bill Delayed, but Still Very Much Alive! Your Advocacy Made a Difference! S B 344 was set for debate on Thursday, March 19, with strong support lined up from several legislators. However, the House adjourned unexpectedly before finishing the calendar, and the bill did not receive a vote. While SB 344 is technically “dead,” its provisions are very much alive, and there is still a clear path forward. Our work is far from over. Kansas Pet Advocates is actively wo

Neonate Foster Care Bill Passes House Committee! The House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources amended and passed out SB 344 on Tuesday, March 10 ( watch here ). SB 344 allows shelters to place stray neonates in foster homes during the three-day stray-hold period, and to post photos at the shelter and online (if the shelter has a website) during the hold period. After last week’s hearing, KPA learned that a representative was considering an amendment requiri

ACT NOW: Ask your Representatives to Support ACT NOW! Ask Your Representative to Support SB 344 and Reject Any Amendment to Eliminate Unannounced Inspections  SB 344 and REJ Write your Representative NOW!! On Wednesday, March 4, the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard SB 344 ( watch here ). SB 344, as amended, allows shelters to place stray neonatal puppies

ACT NOW: Ask your Representatives to Support HB 2535 - TNVR Decriminalization Senate Committee Hearing is set for Monday SB 344 and RE J After last week’s overwhelmingly supportive vote in the House, HB 2535 , decriminalizing trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats, is scheduled for a hearing on Monday, March 2, in the Senate Judiciary Committee . KPA lobbyists are meeting with members of the Sena

ACT NO : Ask your Representatives to Suppor 344 and RE Advocacy Efforts Bring TNVR Decriminalization to the Floor for Debate and a Passing Vote! J Your advocacy worked! Representatives received at least 63 emails urging them to contact House leadership to schedule a floor debate for HB 2535 , decriminalizing trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats, and to vote YES when it came to a vote. Late Wednesday night, KPA received

ACT N: Ask your Representatives to Suppo and RE Advocacy Efforts Bring TNVR Decriminalization to the Floor for Debate and a Passing Vote! J Spay/Neuter Funding Included in House Budget Recommendations House Chamber Vote Next The House Appropriations Committee finished work on its budget proposal to be voted on by the full chamber. Included in the budget is $50,000 to compensate shelters for caring for animals seized by the Animal Fa

The Kansas Pet Advocates Newsletter brings you the latest updates on animal welfare legislation, advocacy efforts, and opportunities to make a difference for pets and the people who care for them across Kansas. We need your support - TAKE ACTION NOW: Learn more about each of these bills where they are in the legislative process, and how you can support passag e in the articles below. :  SB 344 - Neonate Transfer: Submit Testimony by Monday at 4:30 PM HB 2535 - Decriminal

Spay/Neuter Funding Moves Forward J Spay/Neuter Funding in House Budget Recommendations On Monday, House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee Chair Lisa Moser (R-Wheaton) presented the Kansas Department of Agriculture budget recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee. The Budget Committee’s recommendations for FY2027, starting July 1, 2026 , included $50,000 to reimburse shelters for care provided for animals seized by the Anima

Spay/Neuter Funding Moves Forward J KPA Partners Unite to Support Neonate Bills  On Tuesday, January 27, the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard SB 344 , which amends the three-business-day stray hold statute to allow shelters to place neonates in foster homes during the stray hold period. Leavenworth County Humane Society’s Crystal Swann Blackdeer , SEK Humane Society’s Jasmine Kyle , Humane Society of Greater Kansas City’s Sydney

Stray Hold Bill SB344 Hearing Scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. SB 344 , the bill allowing shelters to place neonates in foster homes during the stray hold period, has a hearing on Tuesday, January 27, at 8:30 AM in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources . The bill clarifies existing state law by explicitly permitting shelters to place newborn puppies and kittens with foster homes during the state-mandated three-business-day stray hold. Neotates are unwe

Governor Appoints Jackie Keller to KPAAB Governor Laura Kelly announces Jackie Keller of Topeka, Kansas as the newest appointee to the Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board (KPAAB) as the private citizen representative. She loves animals and is an advocate for better laws protecting pet animals. In the photo to the left she is with her rescue dog, Festus. Jackie works as the Conservation Outreach Coordinator for the Kansas Rural Center , a nonprofit organization dedicated to st

AFI regulation is too expensive KPA shows legislative approval is needed KPA found that AFI's proposed regulation, K.A.R. 9-18-21(b)(4)(B), requiring every puppy and kitten under four months old to get a full physical exam from a licensed veterinarian before being sold or adopted, would cost licensees about $1.74 million each year. This triggers the requirement for legislative approval under KSA 77-416 , since the implementation and compliance costs exceed $1 million in the

Your help is needed! Calculating the impact of proposed regulations requiring new exams for puppies and kittens What you’ve told us : Several shelters and rescues have said the proposed new requirement in K.A.R. 9-18-21(b)(4)(B) to have a licensed veterinarian examine all animals younger than 4 months before adoption would impose significant financial burdens. What the law requires : State agencies must write and send an economic impact report on every proposed new regulati

Across Kansas, animal shelters and rescues are facing an urgent crisis. With intake numbers rising and more pets (especially large dogs)...

Kansas Pet Advocates is proud to highlight a major legislative victory: the passage of HB 2516 in 2018, Kansas’s “Hot Cars / Good...

Share Your Stories with KPA to Bring Action! Shelters and rescues are dealing with a serious animal overpopulation problem across Kansas. Kansas Pet Advocates (KPA) is urging the administration to help shelters and rescues manage their population by clarifying policies and regulations to: Permit the transfer of sick dogs and cats to other licensed shelters or rescues, and place sick cats in foster homes Eliminate the burdensome requirement that shelters and rescues have spay-