State Rep. Erika Hancock files Bill to make rescue animals Kentucky’s official state pet

FRANKFORT – Saying it is time for Kentucky to join other states that have taken similar steps, state Representative Erika Hancock filed House Bill 385 today that would make rescue animals Kentucky’s official pet.  Joining her in support was Ethan Branscum, a 12-year-old Franklin County student who became the cause’s chief advocate when he was just six.

 “I’m honored to work with Ethan as we try to make 2025 the year when we finally turn this worthwhile goal into law,” Rep. Hancock of Frankfort said.  “We believe making rescue pets an official state symbol would go a long way toward raising awareness and ultimately helping more of these sheltered animals find their ‘forever homes.’  I really appreciate Ethan’s years-long commitment, which is an invaluable civics lesson for us all, and I see this bill as perhaps the most nonpartisan you’ll ever find.  Everyone wants these animals adopted, and there is no doubt, either, about the mental-health benefits of bringing a new pet into a home.”

 “I want to thank Representative Hancock for making this bill a priority and for all she’s done to advocate for our sheltered animals,” Ethan said.  “While we often think of cats and dogs in these cases, the reality is that this bill would cover any rescue animal eligible for adoption.  If this bill only helps one, it will have been worth all of this work.”

 About six states, including Illinois, Ohio and Tennessee, have made rescue animals their official state pets, and others such as Texas have considered the concept recently.

  Rep. Hancock said there’s another reason why she’s proud to sponsor this legislation: It would continue a family legacy.

  “As many know, my Uncle Hank Hancock represented Franklin County in the Kentucky House of Representatives for about 20 years,” she said.  “Just before he passed away last February, he told me that he was the one who sponsored the law designating Kentucky’s official state tree.  It would mean the world to me and my family if, all these years later, I could do something similar.  I know he would have loved