THE KANSAS SENATE AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE HELD A HEARING ON SB 551 ON THURSDAY, MARCH 17.  BE SURE TO SIGN ON FOR UPDATES.

Show your support for Kansas pets and the shelters and rescues that provide adoption, training, and emergency services to Kansas communities.

A 2018 Legislative Post Audit found that the Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) program lacked adequate policies to ensure consistent inspections and penalties under the Kansas Pet Animal Act. The program's deficiencies have created an undue financial burden on local governments and local shelters that provide urgent care for animals seized by law enforcement.

Senate Bill 551 would create a new Pet Animal Facilities Inspection Division in the Kansas Department of Agriculture that will improve oversight of the Kansas Pet Animal Act. 

SB 551 will support the efforts of shelters and rescues to protect Kansas pets and serve Kansas communities.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SB 551

WHEREAS, 

Senate Bill 551 creates a new Pet Animal Facilities Inspection Division within the Kansas Department to Agriculture, which provides a vital opportunity to protect Kansas pets, support the work of shelters and rescues, and meet the goals of the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s AgGrowth Initiative;

The Animal Facilities Inspection (AFI) Program is currently housed in the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health, whose primary focus is supporting the livestock industry and securing the safety of the state’s food supply;

The new Pet Animal Facilities Inspection Division will improve oversight of the Kansas Pet Animal Act; 

The 296 Kansas shelters and rescues care for the state’s lost, homeless, and neglected pets;

 A 2018 Legislative Post Audit found that the AFI program lacked adequate policies to ensure consistent inspections and penalties under the Kansas Pet Animal Act;

The program deficiencies have created an undue financial burden on local governments and local shelters that provide urgent care for animals seized by law enforcement; and

SB 551 will support the efforts of shelters and rescues that, through adoption, training, and emergency services, protect pets and serve Kansas communities; 

NOW THEREFORE, 

The undersigned urge the passage of SB 551 to protect Kansas pets and advance the state’s image as a leader in pet animal health.