Code of Colorado Regulations
1200 - Department of Agriculture
1202 - Inspection and Consumer Services Division
8 CCR 1202-15 - RULES PERTAINING TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE PET ANIMAL CARE AND FACILITIES ACT
Part 14 - Classification and Separation

Universal Citation: 1200 CO Code Regs 14

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024

14.1. Pet animals exhibiting aggressive behavior must be housed in enclosures that prevent them from biting or injuring humans or other animals.

14.2. Pet animals suspected of having a communicable disease must be isolated from other susceptible animals and the public.

14.3. Pet animals housed together must be compatible and have similar environmental requirements.

14.4. Any animal boarded in a licensed retail facility must be physically separated from sale animals.

14.5. Dogs, cats, and other species in animal shelters and boarding/training facilities must be housed in separate rooms. Facilities may submit a written request to the Commissioner for an exemption from this requirement. Separate isolation for each species is not required.

14.6. Any facility that operates as both a boarding/training facility and an animal shelter must have separate ventilation and full-wall separation between the boarding/training and shelter areas. Facilities may submit a written request to the Commissioner for an exemption from this requirement. Any such submission must demonstrate provisions for the health and safety of the animals in the facility if such exemption were to be granted.

14.7. Puppies, kittens, and rabbits under the age of 22 weeks may not be housed in the same enclosure with adults other than their dam or foster dam, unless under direct supervision. Facilities may submit a written request to the commissioner for an exemption from this requirement. Any such submission must demonstrate adequate provisions and safeguards to protect the health and safety of the animals in the facility.

14.8. With the exception of a licensed breeding facility, females in season (estrus) must not be housed in enclosures with other animals. In animal shelters, animals that have reached sexual maturity must be housed separately from the opposite sex unless spayed or neutered. Birds and reptiles are exempt from this requirement.

14.9. Any bitch or queen in whelp must be housed individually a minimum of one week prior to its whelping date.

14.10. Unless under constant and direct supervision, no more than 5 dogs over 6 months of age may be housed in any one enclosure or common area, with the following exceptions.

14.10.1. Dog breeder facilities may submit written request to the Commissioner for an exemption from this requirement if the facility has no disciplinary matters pending. Any such submission must demonstrate provisions for the safety and well-being of dogs in the facility if such submission were to be granted.

14.10.2. In boarding/training facilities and grooming facilities dogs from different households may be commingled in common areas, under constant and direct supervision, with the written consent of the owners.

14.10.3. There must be a minimum of one human supervisor (at least 16 years of age) present, at all times, who has immediate access to and is able to directly supervise and constantly view each common area where dogs from different owners are commingled. Under no circumstances will viewing by video camera or through windows be considered acceptable supervision to satisfy this requirement. Employees who are engaged in performing other tasks, including grooming other pet animals, do not satisfy this requirement.

14.10.4 There must be at least one human supervisor for every 15 dogs commingled within each common area. If more than 15 dogs are commingled in a common area, then the supervisor-dog ratio becomes:

2-15 dogs- one supervisor;

16-30 dogs- two supervisors;

31-45 dogs- three supervisors;

45-60 dogs- four supervisors.

14.10.5 No more than 60 dogs may be commingled in any enclosure or common area at any time.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.