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 3.4 Primary Enclosures

All primary enclosures for dogs and cats shall conform to the following requirements:

1. General
   
   
   1. Requirements for primary enclosures for dogs and cats.
      
      
      1. Primary enclosures shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect the dogs and cats from injury, to contain them, and to keep predators out.
         
         
      2. Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to enable the dogs and cats to remain dry and clean.
         
         
      3. 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.
         
         
      4. 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.
      
      
      1. In all enclosures having a solid floor, sufficient clean litter shall be provided to contain excreta.
         
         
      2. 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.
         
         
2. 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
      
      
      1. 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.
         
         This requirement may be computed by using the following equation:
         
         (length of dog in inches+6) 2/144in2/ft2 = required square feet of floor space.
         
         
      2. Dog house 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 equipped with snap hooks and shall be attached to the dog by means of a well fitted collar. Such chains shall be at least four 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 subchapter (1) of this paragraph each adult cat housed in any primary enclosure shall be provided a minimum of 2 1/2 square feet of floor space. Not more than 12 adult nonconditioned cats shall be housed in the same primary enclosure.