Animal Welfare Regulations - (Apply to Pet Merchants Only)

Part 3 - Standards: Subpart B - Specifications For Handling, Care, Treatment, And Transportation Of Guinea Pigs, Hamsters And Other Rodents.

Section 3.36 Primary Enclosures Used To Transport Guinea Pigs, Hamsters And Other Rodents

a. Primary enclosures, such as cartons, boxes or transport cages, used to transport guinea pigs, hamsters or other rodents shall be well-constructed, well-ventilated and designed to protect the health and insure the safety of the animals. Any such primary enclosures which cannot be readily sanitized shall be constructed of new material and shall be discarded after one usage. Any such primary enclosures which may be readily sanitized may be reused but shall be sanitized prior to the introduction of guinea pigs, hamsters or other rodents for shipment. All primary enclosures used to transport guinea pigs, hamsters or other rodents shall be positioned in the vehicle is such a manner that each animal in the vehicle has access to sufficient air for normal breathing. The ambient temperature shall not be allowed to exceed 85 F not fall below 60 F.

b. Animals transported in the same primary enclosure shall be of the same species and in compatible groups.

c. Primary enclosures used to transport guinea pigs, hamsters or other rodents shall be large enough to insure that each animal contained therein has sufficient space to turn about freely and to make normal postural adjustments.

d. Not more than 15 guinea pigs shall be transported in the same primary enclosure. Not more than 25 hamsters shall be transported in the same primary enclosure.

e. In addition to the other provisions of this section, the following requirements shall also apply to primary enclosures used to transport guinea pigs, hamsters and other rodents.

Guinea pigs.

1. The interior height of primary enclosures used to transport guinea pigs shall be at least 8 inches.
   
   
2. Each guinea pig transported in a primary enclosure shall be provided a minimum amount of floor space in accordance with the following table:
   
   
   
   

Hamsters

1. The interior height of a primary enclosure used to transport hamsters shall be at least 6 inches except that in the case of dwarf hamsters such interior height shall be at least 5 inches.
   
   
2. Each hamster transported in a primary enclosure shall be provided a minimum amount of floor space in accordance with the following table: