Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024
All pet animal enclosures must meet these minimum
requirements respective to species:
12.1. Dogs
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Dogs: Enclosure Sizes (dogs over 22 weeks or
over 30 lbs.)
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Length: tip of nose to base of tail
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Formula: (length of the dog in inches + 6) x
(length of the dog in inches + 6)/144 = required sq. ft.
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Up to 5 days: formula
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>5 to 30 days: formula x 1.5
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>30 days to 6 months: formula x 2
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6+ months: formula x 3
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12.1.1. When
three or more dogs occupy an enclosure, space is to be calculated for the
largest dog with the third, fourth, and fifth dogs each requiring an additional
one-half of the space required for the largest dog.
12.1.2. The minimum height of the enclosure
must be at least 6 inches higher than the head of the tallest dog in the
enclosure when the dog is in a normal standing position.
12.1.3. Crates may be used in any facility
for 14 hours or less within any 24-hour period with dogs housed in
appropriately sized enclosure (based on length of stay) for the remaining hours
in this period.
12.1.4. Housing
boarded dogs in crates requires written consent of the owner.
12.1.5. Crates of the minimum dimensions set
forth in these Rules may be used to house one dog only.
12.1.6. Puppies that are weaned and are under
22 weeks of age and under 30 pounds must be housed according to the puppy
chart.
12.1.7. Dogs over 22 weeks
or over 30 pounds shall be housed according to the adult dog chart.
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Puppy
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Under 16 Weeks
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16-22 Weeks
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Size
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Weight - lbs.
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Sq. Ft.
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Sq. Ft.
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X-Small
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0-4
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1.25
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1.875
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Small
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>4 and up to 10
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2
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3
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Medium
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>10 and up to 20
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2.5
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3.75
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Large
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>20 and up to 30
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5
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7.5
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12.1.8. The floor of the enclosure may be
made of the following:
12.1.8.1. Wire,
provided that the wire is of a gauge adequate to prevent sagging under the
weight of the animal or injury to the feet and provided that the wire is coated
and the mesh is small enough to prevent the foot from passing through and to
prevent discomfort to the animal.
12.1.8.1.1.
When wire flooring is used, a solid resting surface, large enough to allow all
dogs to simultaneously lie recumbent, must be provided; and
12.1.8.1.2. Solid resting surfaces must be
able to be easily cleaned and sanitized.
12.1.8.2. Approved flooring consisting of
slatted flooring, galvanized, expanded metal flooring or expanded metal coated
with a flexible plastic surface, or other surface approved by the Commissioner;
or
12.1.8.3. Any solid material
that is water-resistant and able to be cleaned and sanitized.
12.1.9. Standing water must be
removed from enclosures.
12.1.10.
Any request for an exemption from these minimum size requirements must be made
to the Commissioner in writing and must be accompanied by a plan to provide
exercise at a minimum of 60 minutes per animal, per day. To be considered for
an exemption, the facility may have no pending disciplinary actions as
contemplated by PACFA or these Rules.
12.2. Cats
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Cats: In facility up to 90 Days
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Cats: Housed >90 Days
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Weight-lbs.
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Sq. Ft.
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Sq. Ft.
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<= 2
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2.5
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5
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>2 and up to 6
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3
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6
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>6 and up to 10
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6
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10
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>10 and up to 15
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7
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10
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>15
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8
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10
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12.2.1. Each
enclosure for housing cats must be at least 21 inches high.
12.2.2. Each additional cat in the same
enclosure requires additional square footage as designated by the
chart.
12.2.3. The space occupied
by any litter box without a flat hood may not be included in the calculation of
the total floor space.
12.2.4. The
floors of enclosures for cats must be constructed of solid material.
12.2.5. Outdoor enclosures for cats must
include one or more shelter structures that are accessible to each cat in each
enclosure and that are large enough to allow each animal housed within to sit,
stand, lie in a normal manner, and to turn freely.
12.2.6. An elevated resting surface is
required after a cat has been housed in a facility for longer than 90 days. The
elevated resting surface must be positioned to allow the cat to exercise normal
postural movements while perching on the elevated resting surface. The space
underneath the elevated resting surface may be included in the calculation of
the total floor space if the elevated area is high enough that the cat can
exercise normal postural movements underneath it.
12.2.7. Litter boxes designed to capture a
cat's excrement within an enclosure must be provided in sufficient number, be
of adequate size, and be located in a manner to enable each cat within the
enclosure access to the litter box.
12.2.8. Enclosures housing three or more cats
are considered colonies and must provide a minimum of 10 square feet of floor
space per cat over 4 months of age. In addition, an elevated solid resting
surface or surfaces must be provided. The resting surface must be high enough
so that the cat can fit underneath and minimally provide 1.5 square feet of
additional space per cat. Kittens over 8 weeks of age and under 22 weeks housed
in colonies must be provided 7.5 square feet of floor space per kitten with an
additional square foot of resting surface space per kitten that is high enough
for the kitten to get underneath.
12.2.9. No more than 25 cats or kittens may
be housed in the same enclosure.
12.2.10. Kittens from weaning up to 22 weeks
of age must be housed according to the kitten chart.
12.2.11. Cats over 22 weeks of age must be
housed according to the adult cat chart.
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Kittens
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Under 16 Weeks
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16-22 Weeks
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Size
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Weight - lbs.
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Sq. Ft.
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Sq. Ft.
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Small
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up to 3
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1
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1.5
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Medium
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over 3
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2
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3
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12.3. Birds
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Weaned Birds
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Days in the Facility
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Length of each bird - inches
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Up to 10 days
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10 days to 60 days
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Over 60 days
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Up to 6
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1 cubic ft. per 18" of bird in aggregate
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x 2
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x 4
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Up to 24
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(length of bird in inches) cubed = cubic inches
required
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x 2
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x 4
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Over 24
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(length of bird in inches) cubed = cubic inches
required
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x 2
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x 4
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1 cubic ft. = 1,728 cubic inches
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12.3.1.
Unweaned birds must have enough space to exercise normal postural
movement.
12.3.2. Sufficient
perching space is required to allow all birds housed to perch simultaneously.
12.3.2.1. A single, well-placed perch may be
adequate for Psittacines. Well-placed means that the bird can stand completely
upright on the perch without having any head contact with the ceiling of the
cage and, at the same time, without the tail touching the floor or grate of the
cage.
12.3.2.2. At least two
perches, one at each end of the cage, must be provided for all species that
prefer flying or jumping rather than climbing.
12.3.2.3. Perches must be strategically
placed to prevent droppings from contaminating other birds and the birds' food
and water supply and also to prevent the birds' tails from making contact with
the food and water.
12.3.3. The cage must be large enough to
allow every bird to sit comfortably on a perch, fan its tail, and spread both
wings without touching the sides of the cage or any other bird in the
enclosure.
12.3.4. Cage
measurements are based on the actual living space and do not include T-stands
or perches attached to the outside of the cage or the space below the cage
grate.
12.4. Rabbits
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Rabbits
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Up to 30 Days
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Over 30 Days
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Weight - lbs.
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Sq. Ft.
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Sq. Ft.
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Up to 2
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1
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2.5
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Up to 4
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2
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4
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Up to 12
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3
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6
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Up to 20
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5
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8
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12.4.1. Each
additional rabbit within the enclosure requires additional square footage as
designated by the chart.
12.4.2.
The floor of a rabbit's enclosure must be constructed of material that prevents
pododermatitis (foot problems) and that can be adequately cleaned and
sanitized. Mesh flooring must be small enough to prevent the animal's feet from
passing through and to prevent discomfort to the animal.
12.4.3. Does with litters require 1.5 times
the minimum square footage as designated by the chart.
12.4.4. Enclosures housing rabbits in
colonies must provide a minimum of 10 square feet of floor space per rabbit
over 4 months of age. Rabbits over 6 weeks of age and under 4 months of age
must be provided 7.5 square feet of floor space. No more than 25 rabbits may be
housed in the same enclosure.
12.4.5. The minimum height for any rabbit's
enclosure is 15 inches.
12.4.6.
Enclosure must provide adequate ventilation to prevent odor build-up and to
maintain appropriate ambient temperature for the rabbits.
12.5. Guinea Pigs
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Guinea Pigs
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Weight - gms.
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Sq. In.
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Up to 350
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60
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350-500
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90
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Over 500
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120
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12.5.1. Each
additional guinea pig within the enclosure requires additional space as
designated by the chart.
12.5.2.
Minimum height for enclosures is 12 inches.
12.5.3. The horizontal floors of enclosures
for guinea pigs must be constructed of solid material.
12.5.4. Sows with litters require 1.5 times
the minimum square footage per chart until weaned.
12.6. Chinchillas, Hedgehogs, and Sugar
gliders
12.6.1. Enclosures must provide no
less than 360 square inches of floor space per adult chinchilla, hedgehog,
sugar glider or a female animal with one litter until weaned. When more than
one hedgehog occupies an enclosure, each additional hedgehog requires one half
of the space of the first hedgehog.
12.6.2. For chinchillas and sugar gliders, a
security shelter is required and a dust bath is required no less than twice
weekly.
12.6.3. An elevated
perching platform is required for chinchillas and sugar gliders.
12.6.4. The horizontal floors of enclosures
for chinchillas, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders must be constructed of solid
material.
12.6.5. Minimum height
for enclosures for chinchillas and sugar gliders is 16 inches. 12.6.6 Minimum
height for enclosures for hedgehogs is 12 inches
12.7. Mice
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Mice
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Weight in gms.
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Sq. In. per animal
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Up to 10
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6
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Up to 15
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8
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Up to 25
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12
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>25
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15
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12.7.1. The
horizontal floors of enclosures for mice must be constructed of solid
material.
12.7.2. Enclosure sizes
based on the weight of the female are accepted for a mouse with 1 litter until
weaned.
12.7.3. An enclosure's
height must be a minimum of 3 1/2 inches above the substrate.
12.7.4. No more than 200 mice may be housed
in any enclosure at any time.
12.8. Rats
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Rats
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Weight - gms.
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Sq. In. per animal
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Up to 100
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17
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Up to 200
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23
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Up to 300
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29
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Up to 400
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40
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Up to 500
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60
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>500
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70
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12.8.1. A rat's
enclosure height must be 7 inches with a minimum of 5 1/2 inches above the
substrate.
12.8.2. The horizontal
floors of enclosures for rats must be constructed of solid material.
12.8.3. Enclosure sizes based on the weight
of the female are accepted for a rat with 1 litter until weaned.
12.8.4. No more than 200 rats may be housed
in any enclosure at any time.
12.9. Hamsters and Gerbils
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Hamsters and Gerbils
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Weight - gms.
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Sq. In. per animal
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Up to 60
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10
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Up to 80
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13
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Up to 100
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16
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>100
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19
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12.9.1.
Hamsters' and gerbils' enclosures height must be 7 inches with a minimum of 5
1/2 inches above the substrate.
12.9.2. The horizontal floors of enclosures
for hamsters and gerbils must be constructed of solid material.
12.9.3. Enclosure sizes based on the weight
of the female are accepted for a hamster or gerbil with 1 litter until
weaned.
12.10. Ferrets
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Ferrets
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Age
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Sq. Ft. Per Animal
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Up to 10 weeks
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1
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10-16 weeks
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1.5
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Over 16 weeks
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2
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12.10.1. Each
additional ferret within the enclosure requires additional square footage as
designated by the chart or for a jill with kits.
12.10.2. The horizontal floors of enclosures
for ferrets must be constructed of solid material.
12.10.3. The minimum height for a ferret's
enclosure is 18 inches.
12.10.4. No
aquaria may be used to house ferrets.
12.10.5. Enclosures for ferrets when
constructed using a steel mesh must be of small enough mesh to prevent humans
from putting their fingers into the cage and to prevent the ferret from being
able to get its snout through the mesh. Other suitable cage designs are subject
to approval by the Commissioner. If enclosures do not meet these standards,
there must be a sign attached to the enclosure stating that ferrets may
bite.
12.11. Reptiles and
Amphibians (Herptiles)
12.11.1. The floors of
enclosures for herptiles must be constructed of solid material.
12.11.2. The enclosure must be constructed to
maintain appropriate humidity and ventilation.
12.11.3. The bottom of the enclosures must be
covered with a substrate material that is suitable for the particular
species.
12.11.4. The enclosure
must contain a variety of structures, materials, and plants, as appropriate, to
meet the needs and satisfy behavioral characteristics of different species.
Suitable landscaping must protect the animal, reduce stress, and help recreate
the animal's natural habitat.
12.11.5. Security shelters, as appropriate to
the species, must be provided in the enclosure to allow the animal security,
protect the animal from stress, and help recreate the animal's natural habitat.
Number and placement of shelters in the enclosure must ensure no animal is
forced to choose between its security and maintaining its proper body
temperature.
12.11.6. When
appropriate to the species, a basking area affording both heat and light must
be provided. Enclosures must be large enough to provide a temperature gradient
to allow for the animal's normal thermoregulation.
12.11.7. At least 30% of the floor space must
be left open for the reptile to move about easily, feed, water, and defecate,
and to make movements necessary for thermoregulation when appropriate to the
species.
12.11.8. A thermometer must
be used to determine the temperature inside the enclosure. Enclosures that do
not contain a thermometer must record the temperature weekly and anytime a new
reptile or amphibian is added to the enclosure.
12.11.9. Humidity within the enclosure must
be maintained as appropriate to the species. A hygrometer must be used to
determine the humidity inside the enclosure. Enclosures that do not contain a
hygrometer must record the humidity weekly and anytime a new reptile or
amphibian is added to the enclosure.
12.11.10. As appropriate to the species, UVB
lighting must be provided as part of the enclosure. UVB bulbs must be metered
to ensure appropriate output. The enclosure must be constructed to allow UVB
light to penetrate the enclosure. Facilities housing reptiles must have the
ability to meter the available UVB by means of a metering device. UVB lighting
must be recorded monthly and anytime a new reptile is added to the
enclosure.
12.11.11. Wholesale only
facilities keeping herptiles fewer than 14 days may submit written request to
the Commissioner for an exemption from the UVB requirement.
12.11.12. Lizards
12.11.12.1. Regardless of the minimum space
required, the dimensions of the enclosure must allow all animals to exhibit
normal postural movement and be appropriate to the species.
12.11.12.2. The required space per lizard is
to be calculated as: (1.5L)(L)(.5L) = required cubic inches.
12.11.12.3. No enclosure may house more than
36 lizards regardless of calculated space.
12.11.12.4. In addition to the minimum space
requirement, a basking area is required as appropriate to the
species.
12.11.12.5. For lizards
housed in groups the following space must be provided for each additional
lizard:
(L = length of individual lizard in inches measured from tip
of nose to tip of tail)
12.11.12.5.1.
Each lizard over 12 inches added to an enclosure must have a minimum of 500
cubic inches.
12.11.12.5.2. Each
lizard over 16 inches added to an enclosure must have a minimum of 1800 cubic
inches.
12.11.12.5.3. Each lizard
over 20 inches added to an enclosure must have a minimum of 3000 cubic
inches.
12.11.12.5.4. Each lizard
over 24 inches added to an enclosure must have a minimum of 5000 cubic
inches.
12.11.12.5.5. Lizards
housed over 90 days shall have double the space for each lizard in the
enclosure.
12.11.13. Turtles
12.11.13.1. Land Turtles must be provided
clean, potable water at all times in a shallow pan that the turtle can easily
get into or out of with a water depth no deeper than the turtle's chin when its
head is straight out.
12.11.13.2.
Water turtles must have clean, potable water available at all times. The depth
of water in the enclosure must be at least equal to the carapace length of the
turtle with a gradual access leading to a basking area.
12.11.13.3. Enclosure must provide minimum
square footage of 70 square inches per 4 inches of carapace length per
turtle.
12.11.13.4. The following
must be subtracted (not counted) from the square footage: basking area, food
dish, water dish, and security shelter.
(All turtles must be measured by straight carapace
length.)
12.11.14.
Frogs
12.11.14.1. The length of the enclosure
for hopping frogs must be four (4) times the length of the frog, and the height
must be three (3) times the length of the frog.
12.11.14.2. The length of the enclosure for
tree frogs must be two (2) times the length of the frog, and the height must be
three (3) times the length of the frog.
12.11.15. For all other amphibians, the area
of the enclosure must be five (5) square inches per inch of length of animal
and must have a height of two (2) times the length of the animal.
12.11.16. Snakes: At least 30% of the floor
space must be left open for the snake to move about easily, feed, water, and
defecate, and to make movements necessary for thermoregulation. Arboreal snakes
must be provided with a perch.
12.12. An enclosure containing poisonous or
venomous animals must be clearly labeled "Poisonous." The enclosure must
prevent injury to the public by the animal or escape by the animal.
12.13. Fish
12.13.1. Aquaria and ponds must maintain
adequate water levels to sustain aquatic life.
12.13.2. Aquarium lids may not provide an
airtight barrier.
12.13.3.
Substrate material must cover the bottom of the freshwater aquarium if an
underground filter is utilized. Filter-bed material must be a minimum of 1 inch
thick across the entire bottom of the aquarium.
12.13.4. Harmful nitrogenous waste products
must be managed by the use of biological or chemical filtration.
12.13.5. Labyrinth fish, such as Bettas, do
not require the use of filtration systems, but the water in the enclosure must
be changed weekly or more often if necessary.
12.13.6. Water chemistry must be tested and
recorded weekly to make sure the following specific criteria are within
prescribed limits for established aquaria:
12.13.6.1. Free ammonia concentration- the
presence of free ammonia indicates that the biological filter is not working
properly or the aquarium is overcrowded or overfed. The maximum acceptable
level of free ammonia in a healthy aquarium is 1 ppm.
12.13.6.2. PH- measures the acidity or the
alkalinity of the water. The PH reading can vary from 5.5 to 9.0 depending on
the requirements of a particular species of fish.
12.13.7. Any time more than 30% of a tank's
water is replaced with chlorinated water, the aquarium must be treated with a
water conditioner that will specifically remove chlorine or
chloramines.
12.13.8. Dead fish must
be removed from the enclosure once daily or more often if necessary.
12.13.9. Water in aquaria must be maintained
at a temperature appropriate to the species. Accurate water temperature will be
measured by a suitable aquarium thermometer.
12.13.10. Fish must be fed food appropriate
to the species on a routine basis to maintain good fish health and to maintain
good water quality.
12.14. All enclosures must allow each pet
animal to turn around, exercise normal postural movements, and experience
necessary socialization with cage mates, when applicable.
12.15. Pet animal holding or drying areas
must be large enough to allow the animal to stand, lie down, and turn
around.
12.16. In exigent
circumstances, impoundment facilities may provide minimum space that allows
each pet animal to turn around and exercise normal postural movements. These
circumstances may not be of a routine nature and must be approved by the
Commissioner.
12.17. Any enclosure
must be well-constructed, maintained in good repair, and constructed to allow
animals to remain dry (when applicable) and clean.
12.18. Enclosures must contain animals,
protect them from injury, and keep predators out.
12.19. Enclosures must provide all
environmental conditions necessary for health and safety of the animals
contained in them.
12.20. All
surfaces of indoor enclosures must be constructed of materials that are
water-resistant and can be cleaned and sanitized. Wood accessories for birds
and small animals are accepted.
12.21. Animal shelters must have solid walls
between enclosures in all dog and cat housing areas. The walls in dog and cat
housing areas must prevent water and waste material from flowing between
enclosures and must be high enough to prevent nose-to-nose contact of animals
between enclosures. After a pet dog or cat has been housed in a animal
sanctuary facility for longer than 180 days (6 months), solid walls are no
longer required for that animal's enclosure.
12.22. Every facility must have the ability
to accurately weigh each species of animal housed or transferred according to
weight.
12.23. The photoperiod and
photo spectrum must be appropriate to the species.
12.24. Cedar shavings must not be used as
litter material.
12.25. Minimum
space requirements for other animals will be determined by the Commissioner on
an individual basis.
