State Laws - Pet Stores

State Pet Shop Laws: Kansas

• Animal: any live dog, cat, rabbit, rodent, nonhuman primate, bird or other warm-blooded vertebrate or any fish, snake or other cold-blooded vertebrate. Excludes livestock and domestic fowl. (KAN. STAT. ANN. § 47-1701)
• Animal breeder: any person [includes businesses] who operates animal breeder premises. (KAN. STAT. ANN. § 47-1701)
• Animal breeder premises: any premises where all or part of 6 or more litters of dogs or cats, or both, or 30 or more dogs or cats, or both, are sold, or offered or maintained for sale, primarily at wholesale for resale to another. (KAN. STAT. ANN. § 47-1701)
• Pet shop: any premises where there are sold at retail and not for resale to another: a) any dogs or cats, or both; or b) any other animals except those which are produced and raised on such premises and are sold by a person who resides on such premises. Excludes premises where only fish are sold, as well as animal distributor, hobby breeders, retail breeders and animal breeders. (KAN. STAT. ANN. § 47-1701)
• Weaned: an animal that is accustomed to taking solid food and has done so without nursing for at least 5 days. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-25-12)

Vet Care:

• A documented program of disease control and prevention, euthanasia and routine vet care must be maintained under the supervision of a vet. Must include a documented on-site visit by the vet at least annually. Diseased, ill, or injured animals must be provided with vet care as needed “for the health and well-being of the animal.” Excludes USDA-licensed animal breeders and animal distributors. (KAN. STAT. ANN. § 47-1701)
• [See KAN. STAT. ANN. § 47-1712 and KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-20-2 for regulations governing vet care.]

Housing:

• Pet shop cages must provide sufficient space for each animal to permit normal postural and social adjustments. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-20-1)

Lemon Laws:

• N/A

Food and Water:

• Pet shops must provide wholesome, palatable food that is “sufficient to maintain each animal in good health.” Water and food must be provided to each animal daily. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-20-2)

Sanitary Conditions:

• Pet shops must remove waste, bedding, dead animals and debris on a regular basis and at reasonable intervals. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-20-1)
• Cages must be maintained in strict sanitary condition. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-20-1)

Unweaned Animals:

• Retail breeders must not sell or exchange cats or dogs unless they are at least 8 weeks of age and weaned. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-25-12)

Miscellaneous Provisions:

• License required for pet shop operators, retail breeders, and animal breeders. (KAN. STAT. ANN. §§ 47-1703, 47-1724, 47-1703, 47-1736, 47-1733, 47-1706)
• Pet shop operators must keep records for each animal acquired, sold or disposed of. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-20-3)
• Inspections of premises, animals and records by state agriculture department must be allowed at reasonable times. (KAN. STAT. ANN. § 47-1709, KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-25-13)
• Pet stores that sell reptiles must post a sign warning of salmonella. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-20-4)
• Temperature must be sufficient to protect each animal from extremes and prevent “discomfort or health hazards to any animal.” (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-20-1)
• Pet shop must provide ventilation at all times. fresh air must be provided to minimize drafts, odors and moisture condensation. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-20-1)
• Pet shops must provide lighting sufficient to permit routine inspection and cleaning. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-20-1)
• Prohibits pet shops from euthanizing an animal by any means except methods approved by AVMA euthanasia panel. (Penalty: max. $1,000 civil fine) (KAN. STAT. ANN. § 47-1718)
• Pet shops must use only euthanasia methods approved for that species of animal. During euthanasia, must use proper handling under the AVMA guidelines. (KAN. ADMIN. REGS. § 9-26-1)

Notes:

1. Where “adequate space” is not defined the state has not established a definition for the term.
2. The definition of “animal” may actually be broadly written while the types of animals covered by the law (e.g., veterinary care, sanitation, food and water) may be more narrowly drafted.