1. (a) Rescue networks and animal shelters may utilize pet animal foster homes.
2. (b) Rescue network managers and animal shelter licensees shall require each of their prospective pet animal foster homes to sign a pet animal foster home agreement with the supervising rescue network or animal shelter licensee. The rescue network manager or animal shelter licensee shall state in the agreement that the pet animal foster home is required to comply with all the requirements contained in this regulation.
3. (c) Each rescue network manager and animal shelter licensee shall keep records of all pet animal foster homes utilized by the rescue networks and animal shelter.
4. (d) Each rescue network manager and each animal shelter licensee shall ensure that all pet animal foster homes utilized by the rescue network or animal shelter comply with the Kansas pet animal act and all applicable regulations.
5. (e) Each animal shelter licensee or rescue network manager using a pet animal foster home shall develop a plan of veterinary care to be followed by the pet animal foster home. The plan of veterinary care shall be recorded on the form specified in the definition of "adequate veterinary medical care" in K.S.A. 47-1701, and amendments thereto. This plan shall include the name of the licensed veterinarian whom the pet animal foster home shall contact in case of injury or illness and the name of the party responsible for the payment of treatment and office call charges. The animal shelter licensee or rescue network manager shall require each pet animal foster home to notify the sponsoring animal shelter or rescue network manager of any dog or cat receiving veterinary care within 24 hours of treatment. A copy of the plan of veterinary care shall be filed annually with the commissioner.
6. (f) The animal shelter licensee or rescue network manager shall require that a pet animal foster home not directly accept stray dogs or cats or any animal relinquished by its owner. Each pet animal foster home wanting to accept stray dogs or cats or animals that are relinquished by their owners shall apply for and receive an animal shelter license before accepting these animals. Each rescue network manager shall be responsible for the intake of all animals in the care of the rescue network. No stray dog or cat may be placed with a pet animal foster home until the applicable requirements of K.S.A. 47-1710, and amendments thereto, have been met.

7. (g) A pet animal foster home shall not foster more than 10 adult cats or dogs at the same time.

   (h)(1) A pet animal foster home shall not at any time maintain or house on the premises more than 19 adult dogs or cats. The limit of 19 dogs or cats shall include the following:

   1. (A) Any adult dog or cat that is a personal pet of the pet animal foster home caretaker; and

   2. (B) any adult dog or cat owned by any other individual or entity and maintained, housed, or harbored on the premises.

      1. (2) If more than 19 adult dogs or cats will be housed on the premises for any reason, the pet animal foster home shall apply for an animal shelter license and shall not accept any adult dogs or cats in excess of that limit before receiving the animal shelter license.

         1. (i) (1) An animal shelter licensee or rescue network manager shall not place any intact dog or cat six months of age or older into the custody of a pet animal foster home unless spaying or neutering is contraindicated by a licensed veterinarian. If a veterinarian has examined and recommends that the dog or cat should not be altered, the pet animal foster home shall obtain a copy of a written opinion by the veterinarian as to why the animal cannot be altered and an estimated time of when, if ever, the animal can be altered. A copy of the written opinion shall be kept by both the pet animal foster home and the rescue network manager or animal shelter licensee.
      2. (2) Intact female dogs or cats that are nursing puppies or kittens may be housed in a pet animal foster home until the puppies or kittens are weaned. Puppies or kittens shall be considered weaned once they are eating solid food and not nursing for five consecutive days. Puppies or kittens may remain unaltered in foster care only up to six months of age. Puppies and kittens at four months of age shall be considered adults and shall be counted as part of the 10 total dogs or cats that rescue network managers or animal shelter licensees may place at pet animal foster homes.
8. (j) The animal shelter licensee or rescue network manager shall process all documentation for each adoption and all spay and neuter deposits required by K.S.A. 47-1731, and amendments thereto. Each intact dog, cat, puppy, or kitten shall be adopted directly from the animal shelter or, in the case of a rescue network, from the premises of the rescue network manager. Any altered dog, cat, puppy, or kitten may be adopted directly from the pet animal foster home only after all final adoption paperwork has been processed through the animal shelter or rescue network manager and all applicable requirements of K.S.A. 47-1710, and amendments thereto, have been met by a licensed animal shelter.

(Authorized by K.S.A. 47-1712; implementing K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 47-1701, K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 47-1704, K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 47-1710, K.S.A. 47-1712, and K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 47-1731; effective Nov. 17, 2017; amended Feb. 8, 2019.)