February 2026 Newsletter

Reily Goyne
Feb 12
4 min read

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 passage in the articles below.:

SB 344 - Neonate Transfer: Submit Testimony by Monday at 4:30 PM
HB 2535 - Decriminalizing TNVR: Contact your Senators by Monday
HB 2077 - Sales Tax Exemption for Shelters and Rescues: Contact your Representative NOW

Learn more about each of these bills and where they are in the legislative process in this Newsletter, and how you can support passage in the articles below.

SB 344 - Neonates Transfer Hearing March 4!

SB 344 will be heard in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, March 4, at 3:30 PM. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and now moves to the House for consideration. Testimony is due on Monday.

What SB 344 Does

As amended, SB 344 allows shelters to place stray neonatal puppies and kittens, newborns under eight weeks old who are dependent on a mother or caregiver, into foster homes during the three-day stray hold period. Shelters must post photos online and at the facility to meet owner notification requirements. The bill also updates the records retention schedule for Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) licensed facilities.

Advocacy Update

KPA lobbyists are meeting with committee members to educate them on the bill and build support. If you are interested in submitting individual testimony, email Committee Assistant Dana Rooney by Monday at 3:30 with your intent to submit testimony. Testimony must be submitted in PDF form via email with the cover sheet by 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 3. See the committee rules here for complete instructions.

We appreciate your continued engagement as SB 344 moves through the House.

HB 2535 - Contact Your Senator by Monday!

HB 2535 - Decriminalizing TNVR, Moves to the Senate After Strong House Win

Your voices were heard, and they made the difference, now contact your Senators!

HB 2535, the bill to decriminalize trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats, passed the House and is now headed to the Senate. As the February 19 Turnaround deadline approached, advocates across Kansas took action. At least 63 emails were sent urging Representatives to schedule a debate and vote YES on HB 2535.

In the final hours before the deadline, House leadership brought the bill to the floor and the Kansas House of Representatives passed HB 2535 on February 19 by a decisive 98–18 vote. In a lighthearted moment during the vote, several Representatives even “meowed” instead of saying “aye.”

With that strong bipartisan win, HB 2535 is now officially halfway through the legislative process.

Next Stop: The Senate

HB 2535 is scheduled for a hearing on Monday, March 2, in the Senate Judiciary Committee. KPA lobbyists are already meeting with committee members, and the response has been positive.

Now it’s time to keep the momentum going. Contact your Senator and urge a YES vote on HB 2535. (Find your Senator here)

Help Advance HB 2077 - Sales Tax Exemption for Licensed Nonprofit Shelters and Rescues

Contact your Representative today and ask them to encourage Chairman Adam Smith (R-Weskan) to advance HB 2077, legislation that would provide an estimated $800,000 a year in sales tax relief to licensed nonprofit animal shelters and rescues.

This exemption would allow shelters and rescue organizations to reinvest those dollars directly into services that benefit the community, including animal care, spay/neuter programs, medical treatment, and adoption efforts.

On Wednesday, February 11, KPA Deputy Director Reily Goyne was joined by Danielle Husted of Great Plains SPCA, Vanessa Cowie of Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Jasmine Kyle of SEK Humane Society, and Sydney Mollentine of the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City in testifying in support of the bill at the House Taxation Committee, but has not been voted on yet.

Click here to contact your Representative NOW!

Spay/Neuter Funding Included in House Budget

The House has approved its budget, which includes a proposal for $50,000 for Spay/Neuter services.

The proposal includes:

$50,000 to reimburse shelters caring for animals seized through the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) program
$25,000 for spay/neuter surgeries provided by the K-State Mobile Veterinary Clinic
$25,000 for community spay/neuter grant funding

Any unused seizure reimbursement funds will roll over into the next fiscal year to support additional spay/neuter grants.

KPA is actively lobbying the House and Senate budget negotiators to make sure this remains in the budget for fiscal year 2027.

Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board

The Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board (KPAAB) plays an important role in protecting the health and well-being of pets across our state. Established to advise the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Animal Facilities Inspection Program, the Board provides guidance on regulations affecting pet shops, animal breeders, boarding and training facilities, animal shelters, and rescue networks.

KPAAB is made up of veterinarians, industry professionals, animal welfare advocates, and public members who bring diverse perspectives to the table. Together, they review proposed rules and regulations, discuss enforcement policies, and offer recommendations to ensure Kansas maintains strong, fair, and practical standards for animal care.

The Board meets regularly to address emerging issues, hear updates from inspectors and staff, and provide a public forum for stakeholders.

Crystal Swann Blackdeer, Executive Director of the Leavenworth County Humane Society and licensed shelter representative on the KPAAB Board, shares in this video why she enjoys serving on KPAAB and supporting its mission.