To the editor:

In a national study released last year, Kansas ranked third for the number of pet breeders with egregious, repeated violations of animal welfare laws. These non-compliant breeders continue to operate despite serious violations and failed inspections. The animals that survive such cruel and unhealthy conditions wind up in pet stores or the homes of unsuspecting families.

To put an end to this, Kansas has to make changes to the Pet Animal Act. Enacted in 1988 with very minimal animal welfare standards for animals living in breeding facilities, the law hasn’t been updated since that time.

Currently, the Kansas Pet Animal Act doesn’t require for animals living in breeding facilities to be clean, examined by a veterinarian before they are bred, have potable water available to them or be able to get out of their enclosure and exercise. SB 392 could change this.

We have the potential to make the lives of animals in Kansas better by supporting SB 392. This legislation will also authorize mandatory inspections and ban gas chambers as a means of euthanasia.