May 2026 Newsletter

Reily Goyne
May 6
5 min read

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 received excellent support in the House. But in the final days of the veto session, House and Senate leadership failed to prioritize SB 344 for inclusion in a Conference Committee Report (CCR) to ensure its passage.

During the legislative session, Kansans sent more than 2,100 letters of support urging passage of SB 344. Many legislators urged leadership to include SB 344 in a CCR and pass it. Legislators and citizen advocates are disappointed by the failure to pass SB 344, but not discouraged. We will prioritize this life-saving legislation in the 2027 session.

TNVR Decriminalization Bill Goes Into Effect July 1

On April 9, 2026, Governor Laura Kelly signed a new law decriminalizing the return of feral cats to their outdoor homes after they’ve been trapped, spayed/neutered, and vaccinated. This law goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) programs that previously faced legal uncertainty under Kansas animal cruelty statutes can now proceed without fear of prosecution. The law allows shelters, rescues, animal control professionals, and community partners to use this important tool to manage feral cat populations effectively and humanely.

Kansas Pet Advocates worked closely with TNVR organizations, shelters, rescues, and animal control professionals to advance this legislation and build broad support for its passage. This collaborative effort helped ensure lawmakers understood both the need for reform and the value of TNVR as an evidence-based approach to feral cat management.

Lawmakers from both parties recognized the growing challenges posed by unmanaged feral cat populations and voiced strong support for giving local communities more flexibility in addressing the issue. The bipartisan support was evident throughout the legislative process and culminated in one of the session’s most memorable moments, when final passage drew a fitting chamber call: “All those in favor, meow!”

KPA Partner Profile: TCCF

Kansas Pet Advocates recently visited the Topeka Community Cat Fix (TCCF) on surgery and vaccination day, where KSU veterinary students completed 35 surgeries. TCCF is a nonprofit dedicated to providing trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) services in Topeka and throughout Shawnee County, Kansas. Since its founding in 2014, TCCF has helped more than 11,000 community cats through humane population management.

Community cats are free-roaming cats that live outdoors and may be feral (unsocialized to humans), abandoned, lost, or simply adapted to outdoor life. TCCF works in partnership with local veterinarians to deliver TNVR services. During KPA’s visit, TCCF was collaborating with Kansas State University’s Mobile Surgery Unit to provide care. After each cat is spayed or neutered, the tip of the left ear is humanely removed, a universal sign that the cat has been sterilized and vaccinated. Learn more in this video below.

2026 Election Season - Build Your Relationships Now

The end of the 2026 legislative session also marks the beginning of the 2026 election cycle, with key offices on the ballot, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor/Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, State Senate District 24, and all 125 seats in the Kansas House of Representatives.

Now is an important time to engage with current and future policymakers. One of the most effective ways to start that conversation is by inviting lawmakers or candidates to visit your facility or attend an event so they can see firsthand the important work you do for animals in your community.

Personal connections matter. When policymakers meet your team and better understand the challenges and successes of animal welfare work, they are more likely to appreciate the real impact policy decisions have on the animals and people you serve.

To make the most of your meeting:

Schedule early and prepare in advance
Share your story clearly and with purpose
Focus on building a long-term relationship
Ask for their support

For more information on how to prepare for a meeting with local leaders, click here.

These early conversations help lay the groundwork for stronger partnerships and more informed decision-making during the legislative session.

To find contact information for your local legislators, click here. You can also find campaign information on candidates’ websites or social media, or contact your county party offices to see what events they’re holding for voters to meet the candidates.

In the months ahead, KPA will begin outreach to candidates across Kansas to share policy priorities, provide education on pet-animal issues, and identify leaders who support practical, humane policies for animals and the organizations that care for them.

KPA will also continue to engage the pet advocate community through updates, action alerts, and opportunities to connect with candidates and lawmakers. The strong support behind SB 344 made one thing clear: Kansans care deeply about protecting vulnerable animals, and that momentum will help drive advocacy efforts in the next legislative session.

If you have questions or would like help preparing for a meeting, please contact Terry Humphrey or Reily Goyne.

New Director Coming to AFI Program

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

At the April 22 special meeting of the Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board, Dr. Sasha Thomason announced her departure as Director of the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) Program. Following her announcement, the Board entered Executive Session to interview a candidate for the upcoming vacancy.

After returning to open session, the Board approved the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s recommendation to extend an offer to Anna Pees, DVM, MPH, who currently serves as Assistant AFI Program Manager.

Kansas Pet Advocates extends sincere appreciation to Dr. Thomason for her leadership and service to the AFI Program and the broader pet animal community. Her work has helped guide important oversight and strengthen protections for pet-animal health and welfare across Kansas.

Don't Miss the Next KPAAB Board Meeting.

The next Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board meeting is June 10, 2026 via Zoom. More details will be available in late May.

Slide deck from March Board meeting can be found here.

If you want to get emails about future meetings, email Heather Landsdowne and ask to be put on the meeting notice list.