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State lawmakers pushing to stiffen Pennsylvania's animal protection laws are not considering new rules for cat sanctuaries and rescue operations.

Despite the recent raid at Tiger Ranch in Frazer, where hundreds of cats -- some sick, dying or feral -- were seized, lawmakers primarily are addressing the regulation of dogs and kennel operators.

Bills that would restrict the tethering of dogs kept outside, regulate kennels and increase fines for animal cruelty are among the measures that have been introduced as part of what lawmakers are calling a growing awareness of animal cruelty issues.

While kennels with more than 26 dogs must be licensed and meet state regulations, the state has no such provision for businesses housing cats, said Ron Smith, a 35-year veteran agent with the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.

"I would like to see something for cats," he said.

Gov. Ed Rendell, who has urged improvements in rules governing dog kennels and puppy breeding farms, wouldn't mind including cats in the animal protection debate, his spokesman said.

"The governor is not only a dog lover but an animal lover, and would look at any legislation that would protect animals. It's not a stretch to say that cats deserve the same protection as dogs," said Rendell's press secretary, Chuck Ardo.

Pennsylvania remains behind the curve when it comes to protecting animals, said Stephan Otto, director of legislative affairs for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, a California-based group that ranks states according to their animal protection laws.

"A lot more protection for animals is offered in other states," he said.

Pennsylvania moved from an average ranking in protecting animals in 2006 to below average in 2007, the organization said. Pennsylvania is among 17 states "with laws that are plainly incapable of adequately protecting animals," Otto said.

For instance, sexual assault of an animal in Pennsylvania remains a misdemeanor. Other states, which are becoming more aggressive in protecting animals, have made it a felony, Otto said.

Some animal rescue officials are hoping that new laws will be enacted soon.

"Judges and legislators are beginning to realize there is a problem here," said Charlotte Grimme, executive director of the Animal Rescue League, who supports a number of the pending measures.

While lawmakers and others said awareness of the issue has been heightened at Rendell's urging and by a number of recent cases, the prospect of moving any of the bills isn't clear.

"We're an agricultural state. It's so difficult to write laws in the best interest of the animals," said Larry Gerson, a Point Breeze veterinarian who is president of the Allegheny Abused Animal Relief Fund.

State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, a co-sponsor of many of the pending bills, is optimistic new regulations will pass this year.

"There is pressure to move this issue forward," he said.

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