January 23, 2026 Kansas Pet Advocates Weekly Legislative Update

Reily Goyne
Jan 23
4 min read

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 unweaned animals that need round-the-clock care. Care that is extremely difficult, and often impossible, to provide in a shelter environment.

KPA will testify in support of the bill on Tuesday.

If you would like to sign on to our testimony or provide your own testimony, please email Reily Goyne. The deadline for submitting a PDF of your testimony is Monday, January 26, at 8:00 AM (24 hours before the hearing).

TNVR Decriminalization Bill

TNVR Decriminalization Bill to be Introduced Next Week

On January 20, Kansas Pet Advocates introduced HB 2535, which amends the animal cruelty statute, to clarify that individuals participating in trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats are not in violation of the law.

The Kansas Pet Advocates (KPA) lobbyists are meeting with members of the House Judiciary Committee to educate and build support for the bill.

If concerns about the Kansas animal cruelty statutes have prevented you from participating in a TNVR program in your community, KPA wants to hear from you. Please email Reily Goyne to share your experience and explain why this legislation is important to you.

Committee Schedule

Monday, January 26 - DAY 16

9:00 - House Appropriations: Kansas State Board of Technical Professions budget report
1:30 - House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget: Kansas Department of Agriculture Budget hearing

Tuesday (1.27.2026) - DAY 17

8:30 - SB344 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources: SB 344 hearing
10:30 - Senate Ways and Means: Kansas Department of Agriculture Budget Report
1:30 - House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget: Kansas Department of Agriculture budget recommendations
1:30 - House Higher Education Budget: Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine budget hearing

Wednesday, January 28 - DAY 18

9:00 - House Appropriations: Kansas Department of Agriculture update

Bills to Watch

SB 59 exempts licensed nonprofit shelters and rescue networks from paying sales tax, and extends the exemption for construction materials purchased for shelters. It is in Senate Assessment and Taxation, and no hearing has been set.

SB 130 amends the Kansas Pet Animal Act. It has been introduced in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and no hearing is set.

SB 344 authorizes animal shelters to place certain animals needing treatment or care in foster homes and requires shelters to display photographs of animals at a location other than the shelter during a holding period. It had a hearing on Tuesday, January 27, in Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources.

HB 2077 exempts licensed nonprofit shelters and rescue networks from paying sales tax and extends the exemption for construction materials purchased for shelters. It has a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, in the House Taxation Committee.

HB 2395 establishes an income tax credit for medical expenses for adopted dogs and cats. It is in the House Taxation Committee, and no hearing is set.

HB 2535 clarifies that trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) for feral cats does not violate the animal cruelty statute. It has a hearing on Monday, February 2, in House Judiciary.

HB 2581 authorizes animal shelters to place certain animals needing treatment or care in foster homes and requires shelters to display photographs of animals at a location other than the shelter during a holding period. It is in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and no hearing has been set.

HB 2582 establishes the developing veterinary medicine in rural Kansas program within the Kansas department of agriculture and provides financial assistance and support to certain veterinarians practicing in rural communities. It is in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and no hearing has been set.

KPA Partner Update - Wichita Animal Shelter

WAS Providing Emergency Shelter for Pets

The Wichita Animal Shelter, which is run by Wichita Animal Services, is offering free, temporary pet boarding for unhoused residents seeking emergency shelter during this weekend’s winter storm.

Pets can stay at the shelter for up to 72 hours at no cost, according to Wichita Police. Owners must provide the location of their emergency shelter. Pets may be dropped off by the owner or transported by Animal Services officers as availability allows.

This program is designed to acknowledge the special bond between individuals experiencing homelessness and their pets while addressing any concerns they may have in accessing shelter and resources, according to Wichita Police Department.

NE KS Animal Welfare Foundation Spay/Neuter Grant

2026 Spay & Neuter Grant

The Northeast Kansas Animal Welfare Foundation is offering $30,000 to area agencies to support Spay and Neuter programs. The deadline is February 14, 2026.

2026 Funding Priorities:

Breaking down barriers to get more pets spayed and neutered.
Providing opportunities to get owned pets spayed and neutered.
Supporting new or existing spay and neuter programs at shelters, rescues, outreach programs, and TNR initiatives
Apply here.