The Kansas Animal Health Department (KAHD) was created in 1969 by consolidating all of the activities of: the Livestock Sanitary Commission and the State Brand Commission. The KAHD is divided into four divisions: administration, disease control, animal facilities inspection and brands. The Department works with two Boards, a nine member Kansas Animal Health Board and a ten member Pet Animal Advisory Board.
Kansas Animal Health Department:
One of the agency’s goals is to eradicate infectious and contagious livestock diseases throughout the state. Kansas continues to be a “free” state which means it is Brucellosis, Tuberculosis and Pseudorabies Free. Department veterinarians are responsible for testing programs, epidemiology of disease outbreaks and technical support for the administration. Livestock inspectors inspect feedlots, livestock markets and disposal plants; conduct disease tracebacks; and assist in testing programs. Office staff gather and maintain records on calfhood vaccinations, herd records, test results, import and export requirements,and provide laboratory technical support for the state/federal testing laboratory. They collect license fees and maintain records on all licensed facilities.
Kansas Homeland Defense:
A subdivision of disease control is “Kansas Homeland Defense” aka Emergency Management. The disease control field staff is actively involved in the education of producers, emergency personnel and other interested parties on the state emergency animal disease plan and the consequences of an outbreak of a foreign animal disease. They are also assisting county emergency managers with county emergency animal disease planning. The state emergency animal disease plan relies heavily on local response for the first 24-48 hours of an outbreak of a foreign animal disease.
Animal Disease Traceability:
A critical function of disease control is livestock movement tracking. In February of 2010, USDA announced a change in direction on the National Animal Identification system. This change in direction resulted in the development of the “Animal Disease Traceability ” (ADT) System. The ADT program is currently under development by the USDA. Under the preliminary guidelines of the ADT program: At the Federal level, the program will center on tracking interstate livestock movements; At the State level, KAHD staff will focus on tracking intrastate livestock movements.
The Animal Facilities Inspection Program:
The Animal Facilities Inspection Program regulates companion animal facilities licensed, or required to be licensed, under the provisions of the Kansas Pet Animal Act. The Act requires licensing and inspection of all dog and cat breeders who produce, offer or sell three or more litters during the state fiscal year, pounds and shelters, pet shops, research facilities, distributors, out-of-state distributors, boarding facilities, animal rescues and foster homes. Office staff maintains licenses, health papers and correspondence pertaining to the program. Field inspectors inspect licensed facilities and investigate complaints.
Brand Division:
The brand division maintains an 18,000 +/- brand registry and assists with the market brand inspection program performed by contract. Two special investigators assist local law enforcement with lost, stray and stolen livestock. They coordinate investigations between agencies and victims.
