Ohio Administrative Code
Title 901:1 - Animal Industry
Chapter 901:1-6 - High Volume Dog Breeders
Section 901:1-6-02 - Housing

Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 901:1-6-02

Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024

Unless otherwise specified, all housing for adult dogs and puppies kept by high volume breeders shall meet the minimum requirements listed in this rule.

(A) The housing facility shall be structurally sound and restrict the entry of other animals.

(B) The housing facility and primary enclosures shall be inspected daily and any defects shall be corrected as soon as possible.

(C) Each adult dog or puppy shall have access to and be housed in a primary enclosure which complies with the requirements of this rule.

(D) The primary enclosure shall:

(1) Allow each dog housed in the enclosure to turn in a complete circle, lie down, and fully extend the dog's limbs;

(2) Provide a resting place that has a solid floor large enough to accommodate all adult dogs and puppies in the primary enclosure at the same time and a partial or complete visual barrier. The solid flooring may be removable for cleaning purposes;

(3) Have an interior height at least six inches higher than the head of the tallest adult dog or puppy in the primary enclosure when the tallest adult dog or puppy is in a normal standing position;

(4) Not be stacked on top of another primary enclosure; and

(5) Restrict the entry of other animals.

(E) Primary enclosure size.

As used in paragraphs (E)(1) and (E)(2) of this rule, "dog" means a puppy that is twelve weeks of age or older or an adult dog.

(1) Prior to December 31, 2021, the primary enclosure shall provide each dog with a minimum amount of floor space, in square inches, that is equal to at least two times the following: the square of the length of the dog housed in the enclosure in inches, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail six inches.

(2) On and after December 31, 2021, the primary enclosure shall provide each dog with a minimum amount of floor space, in square inches, that is equal to at least two times the following: the square of the length of the dog housed in the enclosure in inches, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail plus nine inches. For each additional dog that is kept or confined in a primary enclosure, the enclosure shall have additional floor space in square inches equal to the following: the square of the length of the dog housed in the enclosure in inches, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail plus nine inches.

(3) On and after December 31, 2021, weaned puppies up to twelve weeks of age shall be housed in a primary enclosure with a minimum floor space calculated as follows: the square of the length of the puppy housed in the enclosure in inches, as measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, plus six inches.

(F) Flooring.

(1) The primary enclosure shall have a floor that is of a sufficient grid density to preserve the normal mobility and muscle tone of the dog, and does not sag, bend, or bounce.

(2) Open metal floors in primary enclosures shall be coated with a protective coating, and such coating may include but is not limited to plastic, fiberglass, or rubber.

(3) On and after December 31, 2021, the following requirements regarding flooring shall apply:
(a) The minimum floor space provided in accordance with paragraph (E) of this rule shall be solid or consist of slats. If the floor space consists of slats, the high volume breeder shall ensure that all of the following apply:
(i) The spaces between the slats are not more than one-half inch in width.

(ii) The slats are not less than three and one-half inches in width.

(iii) All of the slats run in the same direction.

(iv) The floor is level.

(b) Flooring shall:
(i) Consist of materials that can be cleaned and sanitized.

(ii) Be safe for the breed, size, and age of the dog.

(iii) Be free from protruding sharp objects.

(iv) Be designed so that the paw of the dog is unable to extend through or become caught in the flooring.

(v) Not consist of metal wire, unless the metal is coated with another material and the outer diameter of the coated metal measures six gauge or thicker.

(G) Temperature, ventilation, and lighting shall provide for the health and welfare of the dog by the following:

(1) If climatic or ambient temperatures pose a threat to the health and welfare of the adult dog or puppy, measures shall be taken to regulate the temperature to eliminate the threat. Outdoor housing cannot be used for dogs that cannot tolerate the prevalent temperatures without stress or discomfort, such as short haired breeds, sick, aged or young dogs that are not acclimated. The dog's age, species, breed, overall health and acclimation to the environment shall be taken into consideration;

(2) Dry bedding or other methods of conserving body heat shall be provided when temperatures are below fifty degrees F;

(3) Ventilation shall minimize drafts, odors, dust, ammonia levels, and moisture condensation;

(4) Lighting shall be uniformly diffused throughout the housing facility and provide normal day and night variations by natural or artificial source; and,

(5) Light intensity shall be sufficient for observation and cleaning.

(H) Indoor housing facilities shall:

(1) Constitute an enclosure created by the continuous connection of a roof, walls, floor, and foundation;

(2) Be sufficiently heated and cooled when necessary to protect the dogs from temperature or humidity extremes and to provide for their health and welfare; and

(3) Have at least one door for entry and exit that can be opened and closed, and windows to provide natural light which shall be covered with a transparent material such as glass or hard plastic.

(I) Sheltered housing facilities shall meet the following requirements:

(1) The sheltered part of the housing facility shall be ventilated by windows, doors, vents, fans; a combination of these; or by air conditioning;

(2) The sheltered part of the housing facility shall be sufficiently heated and cooled when necessary to protect the dogs from temperature or humidity extremes to provide for their health and welfare; and,

(3) Outdoor runs shall offer enough protection from the natural elements to accommodate all dogs housed in the primary enclosure in the event indoor access is denied.

(J) Outdoor housing facilities shall:

(1) Be used only if approved by a veterinarian;

(2) Include one or more shelter structures that protect adult dogs or puppies from the natural elements and are accessible to each adult dog or puppy in each outdoor facility; and,

(3) Have shelters that are large enough to allow all adult dogs or puppies in the shelter structure to sit, stand, and lie in a normal manner, and to turn about freely.

(K) Whelping areas shall be provided for all dams with litters and which meet the following requirements:

(1) Allows the dam to lie fully recumbent, stand, turn around and have freedom of position and movement;

(2) Contains all puppies ;

(3) Provides some form of solid flooring;

(4) Provides insulation or heat source to prevent dissipation of heat from the whelping area so that all puppies are able to maintain appropriate body temperature;

(5) Permits the dam to temporarily move away from the puppies as the dam chooses;

(6) Ensures that no other animals inhabit the whelping area other than the dam and the puppies;

(7) Provides the dam and the puppies daily positive physical contact with people; and,

(8) Meets the minimum floor space requirements outlined in paragraph (E) of this rule.

(L) Storage areas shall be designed and maintained to protect medicines, drugs, bedding, or other supplies from deterioration, contamination, and vermin infestations.

(M) Cleaning.

(1) Excreta, dirt, grime, and other Waste shall be removed from the primary enclosures at least once per day.

(2) Areas, other than the primary enclosure, where dogs are permitted are cleaned at least weekly.

(3) Hard surfaces with which the adult dogs or puppies come into contact with shall be cleaned daily and disinfected a minimum of once every two weeks with a cleaning solution safe for adult dogs or puppies.

(4) Housing facilities shall be equipped with disposal facilities and drainage systems that are constructed and operated so that fecal waste, urine, and water are rapidly eliminated from primary enclosures and adult dogs or puppies stay dry.

(5) Areas under outside sheltered runs shall be raked or cleaned at least weekly.

(N) Permanent tethering of adult dogs or puppies to any object is prohibited for use as primary enclosure.

(O) Adult dogs or puppies that are housed in the same primary enclosure shall be compatible with the following restrictions:

(1) Females in heat (estrus) shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with males, except for breeding purposes;

(2) Any adult dog or puppy exhibiting a vicious or overly aggressive disposition shall be housed separately;

(3) The introduction of a new adult dog or puppy to an existing group of adult dogs or puppies housed together in the same facility or primary enclosure shall be done in a manner to minimize distress and aggression.

(4) Puppies four months of age or less may not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs other than their dams or foster dams.

(P) Each housing facility shall have a contingency plan conspicuously posted in case of emergencies, including but not limited to wind, fire, flood, or building collapse.

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