One of the many reasons I’m so passionate about animal welfare is because of the causal link between animal abuse and child abuse. Research is undeniable that if you abuse an animal, you almost certainly will escalate to child abuse, domestic violence or intimate partner violence. We MUST protect our animals if we are going to also protect the ones we love.

My commitment to animal advocacy has been steadfast and consistent. I’ve sponsored reforming “Cost of Care” legislation for the last 5-years. These bills create procedures for seizing agencies to remove animals subjected to abuse and neglect and require payment of any care to the pet owner and not to the taxpayer.  (2026/SB300, 2025/SB124, 2024/SB119, 2023/SB230, 2022/SB125).

A big victory for my advocacy came in 2019 when I passed SB67, an act relating to sexual crimes against animals. Kentucky was one of the last states to outlaw having sex with animals. The bill passed overwhelmingly protecting both domestic animals and farm animals. This bill could never get across the finish line until I carried it, worked it and finally got it passed!

And finally, I’ve also been the lead sponsor to outlaw cruelty to animals (SB142), requiring an emergency response plan for animals during times of disaster (SB172) and reconstituting the Animal Control Advisory Board (SB193) that oversees how our spay/neuter dollars are distributed.

I will always be a friend to animals. Please vote to re-elect Julie Raque Adams to the Kentucky State Senate.