New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 16 - OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING
Chapter 24 - SHELTERING PROVIDERS
Part 7 - MINIMUM STANDARDS - ANIMAL SHELTERS
Section 16.24.7.12 - SANITATION STANDARDS

A. Written sanitation protocols shall be developed to provide consistent and thorough sanitation of the facilities. Protocols may be reviewed periodically in consultation with a veterinarian. Protocols may be updated for best practices. During an outbreak, sanitation protocols may be revised as needed to address specific pathogens.

B. Animal housing units or kennels shall be cleaned once daily at minimum and shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected once an animal no longer occupies the unit or kennel.

C. Animal waste shall be removed from primary enclosures daily or more often to prevent contamination of animals and to reduce disease hazards and odors. Waste shall be disposed of in accordance with local ordinance.

D. Cages, kennels, containers, equipment, and other items shall be cleaned at least once daily to maintain sanitary conditions.

E. Kennels and cages shall not be hosed down while animals are inside the kennels and cages.

F. To minimize stress for an animal remaining in an enclosure, spot cleaning may be used as appropriate. The enclosure shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected once an animal leaves an enclosure.

G. Cleaning may be carried out in the following order: from first to last to minimize the spread of disease.

H. To minimize the spread of disease, water and food containers and all other utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized using generally accepted methods such as the use of heat and chemical sanitizing solution. Containers shall be cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions; food pans and bowls shall be cleaned between each use. If sinks are the method for cleaning, water and food pans or bowls shall be soaked and washed separately from litter pans with water and disinfectant changed between water and food pans or bowls and litter pans.

I. Product manufacturer instructions shall be followed precisely when cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting. Chemicals shall not be mixed. Pine products and fumes are extremely toxic to cats and birds and shall not be used near them or to clean cat enclosures, pans, bowls etc.

J. Mopping may be avoided to reduce the spread of pathogens. If hosing is not possible and mopping must be used, disinfectant solution shall not be used from one housing area to another.

K. Water and food pans or bowls may be made of metal or be disposable. Plastic should not be used because it may be chewed and ingested and may retain contaminants.

L. Litter boxes shall be provided for cats in their primary enclosures with soiled litter disposed of on an as needed basis, a minimum of once a day. Litter boxes may be disposable or reusable if they are cleaned daily and sanitized before use by another cat. The use of plastic litter boxes is not recommended because they cannot be sufficiently disinfected and may be a source of disease.

M. Animal and food waste, soiled bedding, debris, and other organic waste may be stored in closed containers and disposed of on an as needed basis to avoid vermin infestation, odors, disease, and nuisances. Waste may be removed at least weekly from the facility. All reusable trash containers may be regularly sanitized and disinfected. All clothing and bedding shall be laundered and thoroughly dried before reuse.

N. To maintain sanitary conditions, pens and runs with absorbent or loose flooring i.e., sand, gravel or soil soiled with urine and/or fecal matter shall have such materials replaced as necessary. These types of organic materials cannot be sanitized or disinfected when the surface is muddy, water puddled or when odors and vermin are present.

O. Buildings and grounds shall be kept clean, in good repair and free of trash.

P. Weeds may be mowed or cut down where animals are kept or exercised.

Q. An effective program shall be maintained for the control of insects, fleas, avian, and mammalian pests.

R. Opened food supplies may be stored separately in closed waterproof containers. Unopened supplies of food may be stored off of the floor and adequately protected against contamination or infestation by vermin.

S. Animal bedding may be stored off of the floor and adequately protected against contamination or infestation.

T. Dead animals shall be stored and disposed of in strict compliance with state laws and local ordinances to avoid disease hazard or nuisance.