KDA Inspection Marks Salina Animal Shelter “Unsatisfactory”; City Details Fixes and Euthanasia Halt
State inspection rates Salina Animal Shelter “Unsatisfactory”; City acknowledges findings, outlines corrective steps and euthanasia pause
A Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) inspection of the City of Salina / Salina Animal Shelter on Jan. 12, 2026 resulted in an “unsatisfactory” outcome and cited multiple areas as non-compliant, including food storage, facility equipment, recordkeeping, euthanasia documentation and procedures, staff training documentation, and veterinary care documentation.
In a written statement provided after the inspection, the City said it “take[s] animal welfare, humane care, and regulatory compliance seriously” and confirmed the inspection outcome: “The facility received an unsatisfactory result, and we acknowledge the findings in the report.”
Animals and conditions documented in the inspection
At the time of the inspection, the report listed 47 adult dogs, 12 adult cats, 1 puppy, and 5 kittens at the shelter, with 2 adult cats and 5 kittens noted in foster care.
The inspection documented non-compliance tied to:
food storage practices,
the condition of certain outdoor water containers,
and recordkeeping issues related to euthanasia documentation.
In its response, the City described the inspection findings as “a few areas requiring correction, including food storage practices, the condition of certain outdoor water containers, and documentation issues related to euthanasia records.”
Food storage and facility equipment
The inspection cited food storage as a non-compliant category and also cited issues tied to the condition and cleanability of certain containers.
In its statement, the City said leadership has already implemented corrections, specifically: “ordering additional sealed food storage containers” and “replacing plastic water pails with metal.”
The statement also framed these actions as part of immediate changes following the inspection: “Since the inspection, the City and Shelter leadership have already implemented multiple corrections.”
Records and documentation issues
The inspection cited recordkeeping deficiencies, including euthanasia record documentation issues.
The City’s statement acknowledged this category directly, noting the inspection identified “documentation issues related to euthanasia records,” and said the City is addressing it by “strengthening internal recordkeeping procedures.”
The City also accepted responsibility for the problems outlined: “The City of Salina acknowledges that these findings are our responsibility.”
Euthanasia: concerns raised, state expectations, and operational changes
The inspection raised concerns tied to euthanasia documentation, methods, and training expectations.
In its response, the City stated: “The inspection also raised concerns regarding euthanasia procedures, staff training documentation…” and later added: “The inspection also raised concerns regarding euthanasia training expectations.”
The City also said the shelter’s approach has been longstanding: “The shelter’s euthanasia protocol has not changed in many years and has not been cited in prior inspections.” The statement adds the shelter was “surprised to learn that our training documentation and procedures did not align with KDA’s current interpretation and enforcement of those standards.”
The City also included a note about what it says KDA communicated in follow-up discussions: “During a recent follow-up discussion, KDA advised that this concern may not be isolated and that the state is reviewing similar euthanasia compliance expectations across other shelters as well.”
Euthanasia temporarily suspended in-house
The City said it has paused in-house euthanasia while corrective steps are completed: “Out of an abundance of caution, the City of Salina immediately suspended all in-house euthanasia upon receiving the inspection report.” The statement says the pause was taken “to ensure we are fully aligned with state expectations while corrective measures are completed.”
Veterinary documentation tied to a specific animal
The inspection raised concerns about veterinary care documentation tied to a specific animal record.
The City acknowledged that portion of the findings, stating the inspection raised concerns regarding “veterinary care documentation for a specific animal,” and said corrective steps include “ensuring all veterinary care documentation is properly maintained and documented in the animal’s file.”
Staffing note included in the City response
The City’s statement also addressed employment status connected to record/documentation deficiencies: “Additionally, the employee connected to several of the documentation-related deficiencies identified in the report is no longer employed at the shelter for reasons unrelated.”
City says corrective action is underway and will continue with KDA
The City said it is moving quickly and making changes: “While we are disappointed in the result, we are taking immediate corrective action and making the changes necessary to ensure full compliance moving forward.”
The statement also emphasizes the working conditions and expectations: “Our staff work in an extremely challenging environment… Even so, we understand that the public expects — and animals deserve — the highest standards of care and compliance.”
The City closed by stating: “We appreciate the work of KDA inspectors and the opportunity to improve. The City of Salina will continue working closely with KDA and veterinary partners to ensure all corrective actions are completed and sustained.”