Rescue and shelter pets are on their way to becoming Kentucky’s official state pet.

In a weekly legislative update, 94th Dist. State Rep. Angie Hatton says House Bill 27 declaring rescue dogs and cats as Kentucky’s official pet is now in the hands of the state Senate for consideration.

“This plan to make them Kentucky’s “official pet” passed the house easily last week and will hopefully make more families think about adding a rescue dog or cat to their homes,” Hatton says.

The bill designates domestic dogs and cats that reside in, or have been adopted from Kentucky animal shelters or rescue organizations as Kentucky’s “official pet.”