The Kansas House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources is considering a bill this Wednesday, February 3, that will expand who must be regulated under the state’s breeder laws. The bill will also create new requirements for those who are involved in rescue and those who keep at least 4 dogs during any week for training or boarding in return for compensation. This is very similar to bills introduced in 2014 and 2015.
Those who wish to comment on this bill are encouraged to contact the committee prior to Wednesday’s hearing (Visit the committee page and click on the member names for contact information).
Summary:
House Bill 2554 makes several changes to Kansas’ Pet Animal Act, including:
Expands definition of “animal breeder premises” – The definition of “animal breeder premises” in current law is where “all or part” of six or more litters, or 30 or more dogs or cats are sold or offered for sale primarily at wholesale for resale to another.
HB 2554 would significantly broaden this definition by including all premises where “all or part” of four or more litters (or 30 or more dogs or cats) are sold or offered for sale. The portion about wholesale is deleted, so it would impact all who meet this threshold.
Creates new regulations for “rescue networks” – Any rescue network operating in Kansas must appoint a “rescue network manager” and obtain a license. Foster homes must comply with the Kansas Pet Animal Act, and rescues must pay a fee of up to $20 for each foster home in the state. The network manager is responsible for ensuring that foster homes are in compliance, as well as for overseeing the intake of dogs, record-keeping, and other duties that may be required in subsequent rules. Foster homes must have a written and signed agreement to provide care for one or more dogs or cats owned by a state licensed shelter or rescue network.
Current regulations already require that a group of two or more foster homes designate a manager to oversee these requirements. This would codify the requirement in statute and require that the manager purchase a license, and that the network pay the required $20 fee for each foster home.
Changes requirements for inspections – HB 2254 would require inspections for all licensees, including animal breeders and anyone who keeps 4 or more dogs/cats for one week for training/boarding for compensation. Currently, the state Department of Agriculture is only required to inspect if there is reasonable cause to believe that a person is violating the state’s Pet Animal Act (In all other cases, current law says that the state “may” conduct inspections, but it was not required). The frequency of these inspections will be determined in regulations later, but the schedule for inspections may take into account “the performance history of a premises or the relative risk posed…to the health, safety and welfare of the animals.”
Makes numerous changes to license fees:
- Animal breeders – was capped at $200, now could be up to $450.
- New boarding or training premises license – $200. This is defined in current law as any premises where 4 or more dogs or cats are maintained in any week for boarding, training “or similar purposes” for any fee or compensation
- Rescue network manager license – $125
- There is no longer a hobby breeder license (current law licensed those who maintained fewer than 30 dogs or cats).
- If you fall under more than one category (for example, a rescue network manager and breeder), you would now be required to obtain a license for each applicable category. You would pay for the most expensive license, then $50 for each additional required license. Current law states that you would only have to purchase one license.
- The grace period of 45 days for any late license renewal is removed, and the fine is increased from $70 to $100.
Expands the time frame for animals to be kept at a shelter – Current law allows shelters to claim ownership of an animal after three business days. This bill expands this to three business days, not including the day the animal entered the shelter.
Amends membership of the Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board – The membership of the Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board, which oversees the implementation of the Pet Animal Act, would be changed to include a USDA-licensed breeder, an animal breeder not licensed by USDA, and a rescue network manager to ensure that all licensees under the Pet Animal Act are included.
AKC Government Relations will continue to monitor this legislation and provide more information as it becomes available. Contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org for questions or more information.
The Kansas House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources is considering a bill this Wednesday, February 3, that will expand who must be regulated under the states breeder laws. The bill will also create new requirements for those who are involved in rescue and those who keep at least 4 dogs during any week for training or boarding in return for compensation. This is very similar to bills introduced in 2014 and 2015.
Those who wish to comment on this bill are encouraged to contact the committee prior to Wednesdays hearing