New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Agr - Commissioner, Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food
Chapter Agr 1700 - TRANSFER OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS
Part Agr 1704 - OPERATING STANDARDS RELATIVE TO COMMERCIAL KENNELS AND OTHER PREMISES LICENSED TO HOUSE, HARBOR, OR DISPLAY ANIMALS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Section Agr 1704.05 - Animal Health and Husbandry Standards

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules Agr 1704.05

Current through Register No. 12, March 21, 2024

(a) Animals shall be fed at least twice each day, except as otherwise might be recommended by the supervising veterinarian to provide adequate nutrition and veterinary care, as follows:

(1) The food shall be:

a. Free from contamination;

b. Palatable to the individual animal; and

c. Of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet the normal daily requirements for the condition and size of the animal;

(2) Dogs and cats shall use food receptacles, other animals may use food receptacles;

(3) Food receptacles shall be:

a. Accessible to each animal;

b. Located so as to minimize contamination by excreta;

c. Durable and kept clean; and

d. Sanitized daily;

(4) Disposable food receptacles may be used but shall be discarded after each feeding; and

(5) If self-feeders are used, they:

a. Shall only be used for the feeding of dry food; and

b. Shall be sanitized and maintained regularly to prevent:

1. Mold and algae accretion;

2. Deterioration; or

3. Caking of feed.

(b) Potable water shall be accessible to the animals at all times, except as dictated by species, for example, fish, or might otherwise be required to provide adequate veterinary care, as follows:

(1) Watering receptacles shall be kept clean; and

(2) They shall be sanitized daily.

(1) The following shall be required for cleaning of primary enclosures:

a. Excreta shall be removed from primary enclosures as often as necessary, but no less than once daily unless otherwise specified in the written animal health program, to:

1. Prevent contamination of the animals contained therein; and

2. Reduce disease hazards and odors.

b. When a hosing or flushing method is used for cleaning a primary enclosure commonly known as a cage:

1. Any animal contained therein shall be removed from such enclosure during the cleaning process; and

2. Adequate measures shall be taken to protect the animals in other such enclosures from being contaminated with water and other wastes;

(2) Prior to the introduction of animals into empty primary enclosures previously occupied by a different animal, such enclosures shall be sanitized as follows:

a. Primary enclosures animals shall be cleaned and sanitized often enough to prevent an accumulation of debris or excreta or a disease hazard;

b. Cages, rooms and hard-surfaced pens or runs shall be sanitized by:

1. Washing them with hot water and soap or detergent delivered with a machine;

2. Manually washing all soiled surfaces with a detergent solution followed by a safe and effective disinfectant; or

3. Cleaning all soiled surfaces with live steam; and

c. Pens or runs using gravel, sand or dirt shall be cleaned by removing the soiled gravel, sand or dirt and replacing it as necessary and spraying the surface with disinfectant in accordance with programs of disease control and prevention required by Agr 1704.05(e);

(3) The building and grounds shall be kept clean and in good repair in order to protect the animals from injury and to facilitate the prescribed husbandry practices set forth in this subpart.

(4) Premises shall remain free of accumulations of trash; and

(5) A program sufficient to prevent and address visible signs of infestation with insects, ectoparasites, and avian and mammalian pests shall be established and maintained. The licensee shall maintain written protocols at the licensed premises for review upon request.

(d) Animals housed in the same primary enclosure shall be maintained in compatible groups, with the following additional restrictions:

(1) Estrous females shall not be housed in the same primary enclosures with males, except for breeding purposes;

(2) Infant animals shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adult animals other than their dams, except when permanently maintained in breeding colonies;

(3) Neither dogs nor cats shall be housed in the same primary enclosure with any other species of animals; and

(4) Any animal under quarantine or treatment for a communicable disease shall be separated from any other animals in such a manner as to minimize dissemination of such disease.

(e) Written programs of disease control and prevention, euthanasia, and adequate veterinary care shall be established and maintained under the supervision and assistance of a doctor of veterinary medicine. Including at a minimum the following must be included:

(1) Every animal shall be observed daily by the animal caretaker in charge, or by someone under his or her direct supervision, for the purpose of monitoring health, nutrition and well-being; and

(2) Animals shall be provided with adequate care, up to and including euthanasia if necessary, at the discretion of the supervising veterinarian if they are:

a. Sick or diseased;

b. Injured;

c. Lame; or

d. Acutely blind; and

(3) Copies of the programs and the name of the supervising veterinarian shall be on file with the department, in hard copy or electronically, prior to initial licensing or license renewal and shall be re-submitted upon any change in program content or supervising veterinarian.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Hampshire 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.