A Kansas bill that would establish a new division within the Kansas Department of Agriculture tasked with inspecting pet animal facilities was heard today in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The bill was not voted on during the hearing, but proponent and opponent testimony was taken by the committee.
The inspections under Senate Bill 551 would apply to breeders licensed by the state, pet shops, boarding kennels, rescues, distributors, research facilities and shelters. This division would be known as the Pet Animal Facilities Inspection Division.
The American Kennel Club reached out to the committee chairman to gather more information and to understand the committee’s position on the bill prior to the hearing today.
Summary:
Kansas has an existing pet animal inspection program that falls under the purview of the Division of Animal Health within the Department of Agriculture. This includes inspections of both hobby and retail breeders. Hobby breeders are defined in current state law as premises where three, four or five litters or less than 30 dogs may be sold in a license year. A retail breeder premises is defined as premises that sells 6 or more litters or 30 or more dogs in a license year.
SB 551 would require a new division to take over the inspection and administration duties from the Division of Animal Health outlined within the existing Kansas Pet Animal Act.
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will continue to monitor all legislation related to dogs in Kansas and will continue to provide updates as necessary. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.