Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 13, September 23, 2024
Subpart 1.
Kennels and kennel dealers; licenses.
A person licensed by the board to operate as a
kennel or kennel dealer must comply with this part and must apply for
a license in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, sections
347.31 to
347.40.
Subp. 2.
Inspections.
Periodic inspections must be made pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes, section
347.37.
Upon request, the board must be allowed to inspect any building or
structure on a premises where a kennel is operated.
Subp. 3.
Veterinary
care.
A kennel or kennel dealer must establish and
maintain a program of disease control and prevention, euthanasia, and
adequate veterinary care under the supervision of a licensed
veterinarian. A written program of veterinarian care, signed and
dated by the veterinarian and kennel manager, must be kept on file at
the kennel and available for review by the board upon request. The
program of veterinary care must be reviewed by the kennel manager and
veterinarian annually and updated as needed. The veterinarian must
visit the facility as often as necessary to supervise the program,
with a minimum of an annual visit. Sick or injured animals must
receive veterinary care promptly.
Subp. 4.
Control of
pests.
The kennel or kennel dealer shall establish and
maintain an effective program for the control of insects,
ectoparasites, rodents, and other pests.
Subp. 5.
Kennel premises and
facilities.
All licensed kennels must meet the following
requirements.
A. All housing
facilities must be structurally sound and maintained in good
repair.
B. All animals
must be housed in an indoor facility maintained at a temperature of
not less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Animals may be provided
temporary access to outdoor runs and exercise areas when appropriate
for the species, breed, and weather conditions.
C. All housing facilities must have
at least eight hours of illumination, either natural or artificial,
sufficient to permit routine inspection and cleaning.
D. All housing facilities must be
adequately ventilated. Drafts, odors, and moisture condensation must
be minimized. Auxiliary ventilation, such as exhaust fans, vents, and
air conditioning, must be used when the ambient temperature exceeds
85 degrees Fahrenheit at the floor level.
E. Carcass and garbage disposal
facilities must be provided and managed to minimize vermin
infestation, odors, and disease hazards.
F. Adequate storage and
refrigeration must be provided and managed to protect food supplies
against contamination and deterioration. Open bags of food must be
stored in vermin-proof containers.
G. The premises, housing
facilities, exercise areas, and confinement areas must be cleaned and
disinfected as often as necessary to maintain a clean and sanitary
condition. Animal confinement areas must be cleaned at least once
daily. Measures must be taken to protect animals from being
splattered with water or feces and from exposure to harmful chemicals
during cleaning. Bedding, if used, must be kept clean and dry.
Outdoor runs and exercise areas must be kept clean and soiled base
material must be replaced as necessary.
Subp. 6.
Animal housing and
confinement areas.
A.
Confinement areas must be of sufficient size to allow each dog or cat
to turn about fully and to stand, sit, and lie in a comfortable,
normal position. The confinement area must be constructed so as to
prevent injury to the dog or cat. Interior surfaces of indoor
confinement areas must be constructed and maintained so that they are
substantially impervious to moisture, provide for rapid drainage, and
may be readily cleaned.
B. Dogs or cats must not be
confined by chains or by tethering.
C. For animals housed in the same
primary confinement area:
(1) dogs
or cats must be maintained in a compatible group;
(2) puppies or kittens must not be
housed with adult dogs or cats other than their dam;
(3) any dog or cat exhibiting a
vicious disposition must be housed separately; and
(4) females in estrus must not be
confined in the same confinement area with males.
D. Dogs or cats with
clinical signs of infectious, contagious, or communicable disease
must be separated from other dogs or cats.
Subp. 7.
Feeding of dogs and
cats.
A. Dogs and cats must
be fed at least once a day with clean, wholesome food sufficient to
meet the normal daily nutritive requirements for the dog's or cat's
age, size, and condition. Feed standards must be those recommended by
the National Research Council.
B. Clean potable water must be made
available to all dogs and cats at least twice daily for periods of
not less than one hour.
C. All feeding and watering
receptacles must be kept clean and sanitary. The receptacles must be
accessible to each animal and located so as to minimize contamination
by excreta. Disposable food receptacles must be discarded when
soiled.
Subp.
8.
Identification.
Each dog and cat in a kennel must be identified
with a numbered tag affixed to the neck by the means of a collar,
identification attached to the cage, microchip, or by other means
approved by the board.
Subp.
9.
Records.
Records required in this part must be maintained
for a minimum of two years and available to duly authorized agents
upon demand at any reasonable time. A licensed kennel or kennel
dealer must maintain the following records for each animal
handled:
A. the date of
acquisition and disposition;
B. the name and address of the
person from whom a dog or cat was received and, in the case of a
kennel dealer, the person's driver's license number or Social
Security number;
C. the
identification of each dog or cat confined to the premises;
D. description of the dog or cat by
approximate age, breed, and sex, and other distinguishing
traits;
E. the name and
address of the person to whom a dog or cat was transferred;
F. the history of disease
conditions diagnosed by a veterinarian or diagnostic laboratory on
animals housed on the premises; and
G. for impounded or stray animals,
the location at which the animal was found or taken.
Subp. 10.
Holding
period for impounded or stray animals.
A. With the exception of items B
and C, an impounded or stray animal must be held for redemption by
the owner for at least five regular business days or for a longer
time specified by statute or municipal ordinance.
B. Upon a proper determination by a
licensed veterinarian, an impounded or stray animal may be
immediately euthanized if the animal is physically suffering and is
beyond cure through reasonable care and treatment.
C. An impounded or stray animal
that has bitten a human may be euthanized and tested for rabies
before the required five-day holding period if requested by the
Department of Health.
Subp.
11.
Transportation of dogs and cats.
A dog or cat must be transported in a vehicle
equipped with ample cargo space and confinement areas. The dog and
cat cargo space must be constructed and arranged to prevent injuries
from fighting and allow for compatible grouping in terms of age,
breed, size, and disposition. Separate confinement areas must be
provided for females in estrus. A dog or cat must not be placed in a
confinement area over other animals unless the upper confinement area
is constructed to prevent excreta from entering the lower confinement
area. All confinement areas and cargo space must be cleaned and
disinfected between uses. The number of dogs or cats transported at
one time must not exceed the number that can ride comfortably.
Vehicles must be adequately equipped to provide sufficient
ventilation and still protect the dogs or cats from the elements,
injurious drafts, and exhaust fumes.
Subp. 12.
Dogs or cats may
not be used for breeding.
No person shall allow a dog or cat housed in a
kennel facility to be used for breeding. This part does not apply to
a veterinary clinic licensed to operate a kennel.
Subp. 13.
Complaints and cost
recovery.
A. The board may
investigate a written complaint alleging a violation of Minnesota
Statutes, sections
347.31 to
347.40, or
these rules, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
347.38
B. Money from license fees, fines,
penalties, or deposits under Minnesota Statutes, section
346.55
or
347.31 to
347.40, must
be deposited into the general fund.
Statutory Authority: MS s
35.03
