Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-13-13-.04 - Premise Requirements and Performance Standards for Owner and/or Operator
(1)
General Requirements and Standards:
(a)
Classification and separation: Animals exhibiting a vicious disposition must be
housed individually. Animals suspected of having a communicable or infectious
disease must be separated from other animals and other susceptible species of
animals in such a manner as to minimize dissemination of such disease. Rescue
Animals must be housed separately from all "boarding animals" on the premise.
Pets housed in the same primary enclosure should be maintained in compatible
groups. Females who are sexually receptive must not be housed in the same
primary enclosure with males, except for breeding purposes.
(b) Drainage: A suitable method must be
provided to rapidly eliminate excess water and avoid foul odors therefrom. If
closed drainage systems are used, they must be equipped with traps and so
installed as to prevent any backup of sewage onto the surface of the primary
enclosure. Suitable drain covers must be in place.
(c) Housekeeping: Premises (buildings and
grounds) must be kept clean and in a state of repair in order to prevent injury
or disease. Premises must remain free of accumulations of trash, weeds, debris,
and other vermin harborage areas.
(d) Humane care: Humane care must be provided
in all facilities anytime an animal is present.
(e) Interior surface: The interior surfaces
of housing facilities must be constructed and maintained so they are
substantially impervious to moisture and may be readily cleaned and
sanitized.
(f) Lighting: General
lighting in indoor housing facilities should be diffused throughout the animal
holding area and provide sufficient illumination to protect animal health,
allow adequate housekeeping practices, and adequate inspection.
(g) Pest control: An effective program for
the prevention, control, and elimination, of vermin, insects, ectoparasites,
and avian and mammalian pests must be established and maintained. Vegetation
must be manicured to prevent vermin harborage.
(h) Record keeping: Complete and accurate
records must be maintained reflecting all acquisitions, purchases, sales,
releases, natural additions, exchanges, adoptions, custodial care, and health
records of all animals. Retail sale records for fish, rodents, and
invertebrates are exempt from record keeping requirement. These records must be
maintained for a period of twelve months and must be made available to the
Commissioner or his authorized representative upon request. Updated records
must be kept on the premise. In addition, records for dogs, cats, birds, and
equine must include, but are not limited to, name, address, and phone number of
individual(s) involved in the transaction, date of transaction or activity,
type and number of animals, and Georgia Department of Agriculture animal
protection/ stable license number, if applicable. Animal shelters operated by
the state, a county, a municipal corporation, or any other political
subdivision of the state must also maintain and submit the following
information to the Department on a monthly basis utilizing an electronic system
approved by the Department:
1. Live Intake
Records for Canines and Felines
(i) Number of
animals that were owner relinquished to the shelter;
(ii) Number of the animals that were taken
into the shelter as strays;
(iii)
Number of animals that were transferred into the shelter by other organizations
(examples: public health, law enforcement agencies, licensed animal rescues or
other animal shelters);
(iv) Number
of animals that were brought to the shelter for owner intended euthanasia;
and
(v) Number of other live
intakes.
2. Outgoing
Records for Canines and Felines
(i) Number of
animals placed for adoption;
(ii)
Number of animals that were returned to the owner;
(iii) Number of animals transferred to other
licensed rescue organizations or animal shelters;
(iv) Number of animals escaped;
(v) Number of other live outcomes;
(vi) Number of animals deceased while in
care;
(vii) Number of animals
euthanized at request of owner;
(viii) Number of animals euthanized;
and
(ix) Number of other
outcomes.
(i)
Sanitation of primary enclosures: Primary enclosures for pets must be cleaned
at a frequency and intensity to provide a healthy and hygienic environment in
order to prevent disease hazards. Excreta must be removed to prevent
contamination of the animals contained therein and to reduce the spread of
disease. Soiled bedding should be removed and replaced with fresh materials as
often as is necessary to keep the animals clean and dry. For hard surfaces that
are conducive to cleaning with water, frequent flushing with water and periodic
use of detergents or disinfectants should be used to maintain sufficiently
clean surfaces. When a hosing or flushing method is used for cleaning, animals
contained in the enclosure must be removed unless the enclosure is large enough
to ensure the animals would not be harmed, wetted, or distressed during the
process. Animals in nearby enclosures must be protected from being contaminated
with water and other wastes during the cleaning. Enclosures may be disinfected
by using appropriate chemicals, hot water, or a combination of both. If hot
water is used as a means of disinfection, the temperature of the water must be
at least 145 degrees F. Aquariums as a closed ecosystem have special needs and
they must be maintained in a balance necessary for the health of its
inhabitants by means of PH control, filtration, biodegradation and the
like.
(j) Releasing of injured,
diseased, or abnormal animals: Reasonable care must be taken to avoid releasing
for sale, trade, or adoption any pet that has an apparent disease, injury, or
has a health-related malady. Any pet that has an apparent injury, disease, or
health related malady can only be released for sale, trade, or adoption
provided the person receiving the animal is made aware of the condition in
writing at the time of transfer.
(k) Shelter from rain, snow or cold: Pets
maintained in outdoor housing establishments must be provided with access to
suitable shelter to remain dry during rain or snow and protect them from wind
and excessive heat or cold. Sufficient and clean bedding material or other
reasonable means of protection from the weather elements must be
provided.
(l) Shelter from
sunlight: When sunlight is likely to cause overheating or suffering, sufficient
shade must be provided to allow all pets protection from the direct effects of
the sun.
(m) Space requirements:
Primary enclosures must provide sufficient space to allow each animal to turn
about freely and to easily stand, sit, lie, perch, swim, etc. in a comfortable
and normal position. Primary enclosures for dogs and cats must also provide
each animal with sufficient space to lie down without the head, face, tail,
legs or feet of the animal touching the sides of the enclosure or touching any
other animal in the enclosure. The interior height of primary enclosures for
dogs and cats must be at least six inches higher than the head of the tallest
animal in the enclosure when it is in a normal standing position.
(n) Storage: Supplies, food, and bedding
should be stored in an adequate manner to protect against infestation,
contamination, or spoilage. Refrigeration should be provided for perishable
items.
(o) Structural strength:
Indoor and outdoor housing for pets must be maintained in good repair. The
primary enclosure should be of sufficient strength to contain the animals
securely and restrict the entrance of unwanted animals. The walls and/or sides,
roof and/or ceiling, and floors and/or bottoms of the primary enclosures must
be constructed, so as to, protect the animals from injury or suffering. Primary
enclosures for dogs and cats must not have grated or mesh bottoms. Portable or
collapsible enclosures including, but not limited to, wire type crates and
kennels, mesh bottom crates and kennels, and plastic crates and kennels may
only be used for temporary purposes, must not be vertically or otherwise
stacked, and must not be used as a means of permanent housing. For purposes of
this paragraph, "temporary purposes" means holding for a period of 24 hours or
less and may include, but is not limited to, holding while boarding, grooming,
cleaning, or conducting offsite adoptions as well as for shows or sales lasting
12 hours or less.
(p) Tethering of
animals: It is presumed that tethering of animals for more than 24 hours is
considered permanent tethering and such permanent tethering as a means of a
primary enclosure is prohibited. For temporary tethering of animals, such
chains or other tethering devices must be of adequate length to satisfy the
space requirements of a primary enclosure. Tethering devices must be of a type
commonly used for the size animal involved and should be attached to the animal
by means of a well fitted and appropriate device (i.e., collar, halter, or
harness).
(q) Waste disposal:
Provisions must be made for the regular and safe removal and disposal of animal
and food wastes, bedding, dead animals, and debris, so as to minimize vermin
infestation, contamination, odors, and disease hazards. Disposal of dead
animals must be by burial or incineration. Legal permission from the
appropriate authorities or landowner must be obtained, prior to, burial on any
public or private land. Disposal of dead animals in wells, waterways, or
wetlands of any kind is strictly prohibited.
(r) Plan of Action: All licensed facilities
must develop and maintain a plan of action accounting for the evacuation of
animals in the event that said facility determines that evacuation is necessary
for any reason, including, but not limited to, emergencies, natural disasters,
or manmade disasters. Such plan must also include provisions for the
distribution and homing of animals in the event the licensee becomes unable to
tend to the needs of the animals or the license is revoked, surrendered, or
otherwise canceled. The plan must be kept at the licensed premise and made
available for inspection by the Department upon request.
(2) Pets that are sold, offered for sale,
exchanged, or offered for adoption must be at the minimum age to sell. Puppies
must be a minimum age of 8 weeks prior to sale. Written recommendations for the
appropriate feeding and care must be provided at the time of the transaction
for those animals that are not independent of parental nurturing.
(3) A licensed stable must maintain proof of
a negative test for Equine Infectious Anemia within the past twelve months on
all equine on the premise.
(4)
Functional fire extinguishing devices must be present in each facility of all
license holders under this chapter. Operational smoke detectors are
recommended.
(5) Licensed rescue
organizations are strictly prohibited from performing animal control services
unless said rescue has an active contract to perform such services on behalf of
a county, a municipal corporation, or any other political subdivision of the
state.
(6) All animals held or
maintained at a licensed premise will be subject to the requirements of the
Animal Protection Act as well as this Chapter.
(7) Licensees will be accountable for all
outstanding violations of the Act and this Chapter regardless of whether the
license is subsequently voluntarily surrendered, relinquished, or cancelled.
Likewise, all pending stop orders or quarantines issued against a facility will
remain unless and until released by the Department, regardless of licensing
status.
Notes
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No prior version found.