Animal Welfare Regulations - (Apply to Pet Merchants Only)
Part 3 - Standards: Subpart A - Specifications For Handling, Care, Treatment, And Transportation Of Dogs And Cats.
Section 3.12 Primary Enclosures Used To Transport Dogs And Cats
- 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 ambient temperature shall not be allowed to exceed 95 F, at any time nor exceed 85 F unless the animals are acclimated to lower temperatures.
- Animals transported in the same primary enclosures 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.
- Primary enclosures used to transport dogs or cats shall be large enough to insure that each animal contained therein has sufficient space to turn around freely, to stand erect, and to lie in a natural position.
- Animals shall not be placed in primary enclosures over other animals in transit unless each enclosure is fitted with a floor or a material which prevents animal excreta from entering lower enclosures.
- 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.
|
