Subpart A-Specifications for the Humane Handling, Care, Treatment, and Transportation of Dogs and Cats

FACILITIES AND OPERATING STANDARDS §3.1 Facilities, general.

(a) Structural strength. Housing facilities for dogs or cats shall be structurally sound and shall be maintained in good repair, to protect the animals from injury, to contain the animals, and to restrict the entrance of other animals. Re

(b) Water and electric power. liable and adequate electric power, if required to comply with other provisions of this subpart, and adequate potable water shall be available.

(c) Storage. Supplies of food and bedding shall be stored in facilities which adequately protect such supplies against infestation or contamination by vermin. Refrigeration shall be provided for supplies of perishable food.

(d) Waste disposal. Provision shall be made for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, dead animals, and debris. Disposal facilities shall be so provided and operated as to minimize vermin infestation, odors, and disease hazards.

(e) Washrooms and sinks. Facilities, such as washrooms, basins, or sinks, shall be provided to maintain cleanliness among animal caretakers.

§ 3.2 Facilities, indoor.

(a) Heating. Indoor housing facilities for dogs or cats shall be sufficiently heated when necessary to protect the dogs or cats from cold, and to provide for their health and comfort. The ambient temperature shall not be allowed to fall below 50° F. for dogs and cats not acclimated to lower temperatures.

(b) Ventilation. Indoor housing facilities for dogs or cats shall be adequately ventilated to provide for the health and comfort of the animals at all times. Such facilities shall be provided with fresh air either by means of windows, doors, vents, or air conditioning and shall be ventilated so as to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation. Auxiliary ventilation, such as exhaust fans and vents or air conditioning, shall be provided when the ambient temperature is 85° F. or higher.

(c) Lighting. Indoor housing facilities for dogs or cats shall have ample light, by natural or artificial means, or

both, of good quality and well distributed. Such lighting shall provide uniformly distributed illumination of sufficient light intensity to permit routine inspection and cleaning during the entire working period. Primary enclosures shall be so placed as to protect the dogs or cats from excessive illumination.

(d) Interior surfaces. The interior building surfaces of indoor housing facilities shall be constructed and maintained so that they are substantially impervious to moisture and may be readily sanitized.

(e) Drainage. A suitable method shall be provided to rapidly eliminate excess water from indoor housing facilities. If drains are used, they shall be properly constructed and kept in good repair to avoid foul odors therefrom. If closed drainage systems are used, they shall be equipped with traps and so installed as to prevent any backup of sewage onto the floor of the room.

§ 3.3 Facilities, outdoor.

(a) Shelter from sunlight. When sunlight is likely to cause overheating or discomfort, sufficient shade shall be provided to allow all dogs and cats kept outdoors to protect themselves from the direct rays of the sun.

(b) Shelter from rain or snow. Dogs and cats kept outdoors shall be provided with access to shelter to allow them to remain dry during rain or snow.

(c) Shelter from cold weather. Shelter shall be provided for all dogs and cats kept outdoors when the atmospheric temperature falls below 50° F. Sufficient clean bedding material or other means of protection from the weather elements shall be provided when the ambient temperature falls below that temperature to which a dog or cat is acclimated.

(ii) Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to enable the dogs and cats to remain dry and clean.

(iii) Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so that the dogs or cats contained therein have convenient access to clean food and water as required in this subpart.

(iv) The floors of the primary enclosures shall be constructed so as to protect the dogs' and cats' feet and legs from injury.

(2) Additional requirements for primary enclosures housing cats. (i) In all enclosures having a solid floor, a receptacle containing sufficient clean litter shall be provided to contain excreta.

(ii) Each primary enclosure shall be provided with a solid resting surface or surfaces which, in the aggregate, shall be of adequate size to comfortably hold all occupants of the primary enclosure at the same time. Such resting surface or surfaces shall be elevated in primary enclosures housing two or more cats.

(b) Space requirements-(1) Dogs and cats. Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space to allow each dog and cat to turn about freely and to easily stand, sit and lie in a comfortable normal position.

(2) Dogs. (i) In addition to the provisions of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, each dog housed in any primary enclosure shall be provided a minimum square footage of floor space equal to the mathematical square of the sum of the length of the dog in inches, as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, plus 6 inches, expressed in square feet. Not more than 12 adult nonconditioned dogs shall be housed in the same primary enclosure.

(ii) Dog houses with chains. If dog houses with chains are used as primary enclosures for dogs kept outdoors, the chains used shall be so placed or attached that they cannot become entangled with the chains of other dogs or any other objects. Such chains shall be of a type commonly used for the size dog involved and shall be attached to the dog by means of a well fitted collar. Such

chains shall be at least three times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail and shall allow the dog convenient access to the dog house.

(3) Cats. In addition to the provisions of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, each adult cat housed in any primary enclosure shall be provided a minimum of 22 square feet of floor space. Not more than 12 adult nonconditioned cats shall be housed in the same primary enclosure.

ANIMAL HEALTH AND HUSBANDRY STANDARDS §3.5 Feeding.

(a) Dogs and cats shall be fed at least once each day except as otherwise might be required to provide adequate veterinary care. The food shall be free from contamination, wholesome, palatable, and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet the normal daily requirements for the condition and size of the dog or cat.

(b) Food receptacles shall be accessible to all dogs or cats and shall be located so as to minimize contamination by excreta. Feeding pans shall be durable and kept clean. The food receptacles shall be sanitized at least once every 2 weeks. Disposable food receptacles may be used but must be discarded after each feeding. Self feeders may be used for the feeding of dry food, and they shall be sanitized regularly to prevent molding, deterioration or caking of feed. § 3.6 Watering.

If potable water is not accessible to the dogs and cats at all times, potable liquids shall be offered to such animals at least twice daily for periods of not less than 1 hour, except as might otherwise be required to provide adequate veterinary care. Watering receptacles shall be kept clean and shall be sanitized at least once every 2 weeks.

§ 3.7 Sanitation.

(a) Cleaning of primary enclosures. Excreta shall be removed from primary enclosures as often as necessary to prevent contamination of the dogs or cats contained therein and to reduce disease

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hazards and odors. When a hosing or flushing method is used for cleaning a primary enclosure commonly known as a cage, any dog contained therein shall be removed from such enclosure during the cleaning process, and adequate measures shall be taken to protect the animals in other such enclosures from being contaminated with water and other wastes.

(b) Sanitization of primary enclosures. (1) Prior to the introduction of nonconditioned dogs or cats into empty primary enclosures previously occupied, such enclosures shall be sanitized in the manner provided in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph.

(2) Primary enclosures for dogs or cats shall be sanitized often enough to prevent an accumulation of debris or excreta, or a disease hazard: Provided, however, That such enclosures shall be sanitized at least once every 2 weeks in the manner provided in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph.

(3) Cages, rooms and hard-surfaced pens or runs shall be sanitized by washing them with hot water (180° F.) and soap or detergent as in a mechanical cage washer, or by washing all soiled surfaces with a detergent solution followed by a safe and effective disinfectant, or by cleaning all soiled surfaces with live steam. Pens or runs using gravel, sand, or dirt shall be sanitized by removing the soiled gravel, sand, or dirt and replacing it as necessary.

(c) Housekeeping. Premises (buildings and grounds) shall be kept clean and in good repair in order to protect the animals from injury and to facilitate the prescribed husbandry practices set forth in this subpart. Premises shall remain free of accumulations of trash.

(d) Pest control. An effective program for the control of insects, ectoparasites, and avian and mammalian pests shall be established and maintained.

patible groups, with the following additional restrictions:

(a) Females in season (estrus) shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with males, except for breeding purposes.

(b) Any dog or cat exhibiting a vicious disposition shall be housed individually in a primary enclosure.

(c) Puppies or kittens shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs or cats other than their dams, except when permanently maintained in breeding colonies.

(d) Dogs shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with cats, nor shall dogs or cats be housed in the same primary enclosure with any other species of animals.

(e) Dogs or cats under quarantine or treatment for a communicable disease shall be separated from other dogs or cats and other susceptible species of animals in such a manner as to minimize dissemination of such disease.

§ 3.10 Veterinary care.

(a) Programs of disease control and prevention, euthanasia, and adequate veterinary care shall be established and maintained under the supervision and assistance of a doctor of veterinary medicine.

(b) Each dog and cat shall be observed daily by the animal caretaker in charge, or by someone under his direct supervision. Sick or diseased, injured, lame, or blind dogs or cats shall be provided with veterinary care or humanely disposed of unless such action is inconsistent with the research purposes for which such animal was obtained and is being held: Provided, however, That the provision shall not effect compliance with any State or local law requiring the holding, for a specified period, of animals suspected of being diseased.

§3.12 Primary enclosures used to transport dogs and cats.

(a) Primary enclosures, such as compartments or transport cages, cartons or crates, used to transport dogs or cats, shall be well-constructed and well-ventilated and designed to protect the health and insure the safety of the animals. Such enclosures shall be constructed or positioned in the vehicle in such a manner that (1) each animal in the vehicle has access to sufficient air for normal breathing, (2) the openings of such enclosures are easily accessible at all times for emergency removal of the animals and (3) the animals are afforded adequate protection from the elements. The temperature within such enclosures shall not be allowed to exceed the atmospheric temperature. Moreover, the ambient temperature shall not be allowed to exceed 95° F. at any time nor exceed 85° F. for a period of more than 4 hours, nor be allowed at any time to fall below 45° F. unless the animals are acclimated to lower temperatures.

(b) Animals transported in the same primary enclosure shall be of the same species and maintained in compatible groups. Puppies or kittens shall not be transported in the same primary enclosures with adult dogs or cats other than their dams. Any dog or cat exhibiting a vicious disposition shall be transported individually in a primary enclosure. Any female dog or cat in season (estrus) shall not be transported in the same primary enclosure with any male.

(c) Primary enclosures used to transport dogs or cats shall be large enough to insure that each animal contained therein has sufficient space to turn about freely, to stand erect, and to lie in a natural position.

(d) Animals shall not be placed in primary enclosures over other animals in transit unless each enclosure is fitted with a floor of a matrial which prevents animal excreta from entering lower enclosures.

(e) Primary enclosures used to transport dogs or cats shall be cleaned and sanitized between shipments. All litter in the vehicle shall be clean at the beginning of each trip.

§ 3.13 Food and water requirements.

(a) If dogs or cats are transported for a period of more than 12 hours:

(1) The vehicle shall stop at least once every 12 hours, and remain stopped for

a period of at least 1 hour, during which time potable water shall be continuously provided for the dogs and cats.

(2) Each adult dog and cat shall be fed at least once in each 24-hour period. Puppies and kittens shall have food made available to them every 6 hours.

(b) Dogs shall be removed from the vehicle and given fresh water and an opportunity for exercise if they have been confined in the vehicle for a period of 36 hours.

§3.14 Care in transit.

It shall be the responsibility of the attendant or driver to inspect the animals frequently to determine whether they need emergency veterinary care and if so, to obtain such care at the earliest opportunity.

Subpart B-Specifications for the Hu

mane Handling, Care, Treatment, and Transportation of Guinea Pigs and Hamsters

FACILITIES AND OPERATING STANDARDS § 3.25 Facilities, general.

(a) Structural strength. Housing facilities for guinea pigs or hamsters shall be structurally sound and shall be maintained in good repair, to protect the animals from injury, to contain the animals, and to restrict the entrance of other animals.

(b) Water and electric power. Reliable and adequate electric power, if required to comply with other provisions of this subpart, and adequate potable water shall be available.

(c) Storage. Supplies of food and bedding shall be stored in facilities which adequately protect such supplies against spoilage or deterioration and infestation or contamination by vermin. Food supplies shall be stored in containers with tightly fitting lids or covers or in the original containers as received from the commercial sources of supply. Refrigeration shall be provided for supplies of perishable food.

(d) Waste disposal. Provisions shall be made for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, dead animals, and debris. Disposal facilities shall be so provided and operated as to minimize vermin infestation, odors, and disease hazards.

(e) Washroom and sinks. Facilities, such as washrooms, basins, or sinks, shall be provided to maintain cleanliness among animal caretakers.

§ 3.26 Facilities, indoor.

(a) Heating. Indoor housing facilities for guinea pigs or hamsters shall be sufficiently heated when necessary to protect the animals from the cold, and to provide for their health and comfort. The ambient temperature shall not be allowed to fall below 60° F. nor to exceed 85° F.

(b) Ventilation. Indoor housing facilities for guinea pigs or hamsters shall be adequately ventilated to provide for the health and comfort of the animals at all times. Such facilities shall be provided with fresh air either by means of windows, doors, vents, or air conditioning, and shall be ventilated so as to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation. The ambient temperature shall not be allowed to rise above 85° F.

(c) Lighting. Indoor housing facilities for guinea pigs or hamsters shall have ample light, by natural or artificial means, or both, of good quality and well distributed. Such lighting shall provide uniformly distributed illumination of sufficient light intensity to permit routine inspection and cleaning during the entire working period. Primary enclosures shall be so placed as to protect the guinea pigs or hamsters from excessive illumination.

(d) Interior surfaces. The interior building surfaces of indoor housing facilities shall be constructed and maintained so that they are substantially impervious to moisture and may be readily sanitized.

(a) Hamsters shall not be housed in outdoor facilities.

(b) Guinea pigs shall not be housed in outdoor facilities unless such facilities are located in an appropriate climate and prior approval for such outdoor housing is obtained from the Director. § 3.28 Primary enclosures.

All primary enclosures for guinea pigs and hamsters shall conform to the following requirements:

(a) General. (1) Primary enclosures shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect the guinea pigs and hamsters from injury. Such enclosures, including their racks, shelving and other accessories, shall be constructed of smooth material substantially impervious to liquids and moisture. (2) Primary enclosures shall be con

structed and maintained so that the guinea pigs or hamsters contained therein have convenient access to clean food and water as required in this subpart.

(3) Primary enclosures having a solid floor shall be provided with clean bedding material.

(4) Primary enclosures equipped with mesh or wire floors shall be so constructed as to allow feces to pass through the spaces of the mesh or wire: Provided, however, That such floors shall be constructed so as to protect the animals' feet and legs from injury.

(b) Space requirements-(1) Guinea pigs and hamsters. Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space for each animal contained therein to make normal postural adjustments with adequate freedom of movement.

(2) Guinea pigs. In addition to the provisions of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph, the following space requirements are applicable to primary enclosures for guinea pigs:

(i) The interior height of any primary enclosure used to confine guinea pigs shall be at least 61⁄2 inches.

(ii) Each guinea pig housed in a primary enclosure shall be provided a minimum amount of floor space in accordance with the following table:

(3) Hamsters. In addition to the provisions of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph the following space requirements are applicable to primary enclosures for hamsters:

(i) The interior height of any primary enclosure used to confine hamsters shall be at least 51⁄2 inches, except that in the case of dwarf hamsters, such interior height shall be at least 5 inches.

(ii) A nursing female hamster, together with her litter, shall be housed in a primary enclosure which contains no other hamsters and which provides at least 121 square inches of floor space: Provided, however, That in the case of dwarf hamsters such floor space shall be at least 25 square inches.