KentuckyKentucky designates official state animals and shelter pets
The measure names a state dog, official shelter pets, a state nongame mammal, and a state amphibian; its text does not state a separate effective date.
What it does
Kentucky names the Treeing Walker Coonhound as its official state dog.
Kentucky names purebred and mixed-breed cats and dogs from its shelters and rescue groups as the Commonwealth’s official pets.
Kentucky names the eastern spotted skunk its official nongame mammal and the eastern hellbender its official state amphibian.
Argument forOfficial shelter-pet recognition could draw attention to adoptable cats and dogs and encourage more people to consider adoption.
Argument againstThe wildlife designations may increase awareness but do not provide money or require conservation work, limiting their direct effect on these species.
More detail
Kentucky names the Treeing Walker Coonhound as its official state dog. The designation covers the Treeing Walker Coonhound breed. The text does not state a separate start date for the designation.
Kentucky names certain shelter and rescue cats and dogs as its official pets. The designation covers purebred and mixed-breed domestic cats and dogs that live in or were adopted from Kentucky animal shelters or rescue organizations. The text does not state a separate start date for the designation.
Kentucky names the eastern spotted skunk as its official state nongame mammal and the eastern hellbender as its official state amphibian. The designations cover the eastern spotted skunk and eastern hellbender, both native nongame species identified in the text. The text does not state a separate start date for either designation.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 27signed by Governor Andy Beshear (Acts Ch. 200)Became Law
- Apr 16
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE OF SB 37 w/ HFA 1, HFA 3, HFA 2 (T). Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Suspend the Rules. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15delivered to Governor
- Apr 15enrolled, signed by Speaker of the HouseTo Governor
- Apr 15enrolled, signed by President of the SenateMajor
- Apr 15passed 36-1Major
- Apr 15Senate concurred in Floor Amendments (1) and (3) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
- Apr 15posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendments (1) and (3) and Floor Amendment (2-title)
- Apr 15taken from Rules (S)
- Apr 15to Rules (S)Minor
- Apr 15received in Senate
- Apr 153rd reading, passed 83-7 with Floor Amendments (1) and (3) and Floor Amendment (2-title)Passed House
- Mar 31floor amendments (3) and (4-title) filedMinor
- Mar 27posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026
- Mar 26floor amendments (1) and (2-title) filedMinor
- Mar 262nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Mar 25reported favorably, 1st reading, to CalendarMinor
- Mar 13to Agriculture (H)Minor
- Mar 2to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Mar 2received in House
- Feb 273rd reading, passed 36-0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded PASS SB 37. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day
- Feb 25posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 26 2026
- Feb 252nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Feb 24reported favorably, 1st reading, to CalendarMinor
- Jan 30to Agriculture (S)Minor
- Jan 7to Committee on Committees (S)Minor
- Jan 7introduced in SenateIntroduced
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