The Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health is updating the rules and regulations language in the Kansas Pet Animal Act and welcome informal public comment on the proposed changes. We are considering changes to multiple regulations this year, including:

• K.A.R. 9-18-21. Adequate veterinary medical care. These proposed changes add additional protocols that the facility veterinarian must discuss with each licensee, develop for each facility, and document in the annual Veterinary Care Form. Those protocols include physical exam schedules, wellness testing schedules, preventative care (grooming, nails, dental care) schedules, quarantine procedures, breeding fitness certifications, and protocols for minor illnesses and injuries the veterinarian feels the licensee is capable of treating on their own without direct veterinary supervision.
• K.A.R. 9-18-23. Transfer, movement, adoption, or other permanent relocation of dogs or cats exhibiting signs of or diagnosed with a known infectious or contagious disease. Additional changes have been made to this proposed regulation since the previous informal public comment period because of continued public input. This regulation allows the movement of infectious, contagious, or communicable dogs and cats to other animal shelters, rescues, or foster homes under certain conditions. It also allows the adoption of non-symptomatic FeLV cats under certain conditions.
• K.A.R. 9-18-31. Euthanasia methods; prohibition. This proposed change updates the version of the AVMA guidelines for euthanasia referenced in the current regulation and requires facilities to follow the 2020 version. 
• K.A.R. 9-18-32. Notifications required by licensees. This is a new proposed regulation. It outlines the timelines when a licensee must notify the program of any changes to their contact information, plans to close, plans to open a new facility, or plans to increase their facility’s maximum capacity. It also requires a licensee to inform a potential pet owner of any behavioral or medical issues prior to physical and legal transfer of the pet.
• K.A.R. 9-18-33. License applications and renewals. This is a new proposed regulation. It outlines the requirements for submitting a complete license application or renewal.