Or. Admin. R. 603-011-0710 - Felines - Special Requirements

(1) Animal Classification:

(a) Class 1 exotic felines shall include all individuals of the genus Panthera, including lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, jaguars; ligers or any other hybrids of genus Panthera; and individuals of any other non-indigenous feline species not listed in Class 1 or Class 2 that weigh 100 pounds or more when fully mature;

(b) Class 2 exotic felines shall include cheetahs, clouded leopards, and individuals of any other non-indigenous felines not listed in Class 3 that weigh more than 50 pounds but less than 100 pounds when fully mature; and

(c) Class 3 exotic felines shall include wild cat, jungle cat, desert cat, sand cat, black-footed cat, Pallas's cat, caracal, serval, marbled cat, golden cat, leopard cat, rusty-spotted cat, fishing cat, flat-headed cat, iriomote cat, pampas cat, ocelot, margay, Geoffroy's cat, kodkod, mountain cat, jaguarundi, caucasus cat, and other such species of small exotic cats that weigh 50 pounds or less when fully mature.

(2) Any Facility for Class 1 and Class 2 exotic felines shall comply with one or more of the following:

(a) Outdoor Facilities -- Cages: If exotic felines are maintained in cages, the cage shall include adequate-size loafing shelves, den boxes, and shelter(s) from adverse weather conditions, and shall provide sufficient space for the animals to make normal postural and social adjustments with freedom of movement. Provisions for shade shall be made so that shade is available somewhere in the cage during all daylight hours, preferably over the den box, loafing shelves, or shelter. The floor of the cage shall not be constructed of wood or uncovered wire materials. Floors of chain link or woven wire must be covered a minimum depth of four inches with dirt, pea gravel, and/or sand. Excepting concrete slab floors, a strip of 14 gauge or heavier chain link fencing extending to the interior of the cage at least two feet and to the exterior of the cage at least one foot shall be laid around the perimeter, shall be buried to a minimum depth of four inches, and shall be securely attached to the bottom retaining rail. Concrete slab floors must incorporate the chain link fencing into the concrete slab or otherwise be firmly anchored. Aluminum wire is not acceptable for use in anchoring the chain link fencing. The cage shall include a suitable drainage system for the rapid elimination of excess water. The top of the cage shall be securely covered. There shall be a double-gate safety entrance installed in each cage which will not reduce the required minimum size of the cage. A ground-level retaining rail, or equivalent barrier, shall be provided around each cage. The cage shall be securely locked except during cleaning. The structure shall be designed and constructed so as to prevent escape by the animal(s) or entrance by the public, and shall be located consistent with any applicable local setback requirements but in any case no closer than six feet from the nearest public access or the nearest property line unless an impervious wall on the property line is used as a wall of the primary enclosure.

(A) The cage for Class 1 exotic felines shall be constructed of at least 9-gauge chain link fencing or equivalent. The cage of an individual animal shall be minimally six feet in height, 400 square feet area (800 square feet area for a pair of animals), and be securely covered.

(B) The cage for Class 2 animals shall be constructed of at least 14-gauge chain link fencing or equivalent, having not more than 2 x 4-inch openings. The cage for an individual animal shall be minimally six feet in height, 200 square feet area (400 square feet for a pair of animals), and be securely covered.

(b) Outdoor Facilities -- Range Areas: If exotic felines are maintained in large areas simulating natural surroundings of a park-like nature, the areas need not be roofed, but shall have perimeter fencing constructed of chain link fencing of a gauge required for the class of exotic felines to be maintained in the area, and of a height required for this class of exotic felines, which fencing shall be topped with an internal overhang of three feet in width so as to prevent the escape by the animal(s). The exterior fencing of the Facility shall be embedded to a depth of at least six inches in either concrete or other material that cannot be destroyed or removed by the exotic felines. The Facility shall include shelters from adverse weather conditions which shall include sufficient space for the animals to make normal postural and social adjustments with freedom of movement. Provisions for shade shall be made so that shade is available somewhere in the Facility during all daylight hours.

(c) Indoor Facilities: If exotic felines are maintained in a structure with a solid roof and walls, the Facility shall be designed and constructed so as to prevent the escape of the animal(s). The window openings of the Facility, other than openings directly to adjacent cages, shall be covered with wire mesh or gratings made of the same materials as the cage for the class of exotic felines to be maintained. The Facility shall be adequately ventilated, through the installation and use of windows, vents, doors or air conditioning, so as to minimize drafts, odors and moisture condensation. The Facility shall be sufficiently lighted, either through natural or artificial means, so as to permit thorough inspection and cleaning of the Facility and so as to protect the animal(s) from excessive illumination. The Facility shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair so as to protect the animal(s) from injury, to keep the animal(s) dry and clean, to contain the animal(s), and to restrict entry of other animals. The Facility shall also be supplied with adequate electrical power, potable water, and equipment for the removal and disposal of animal excreta and debris.

(3) The primary enclosure for Class 3 exotic felines shall be no less than 10 times the area occupied by the animal when standing on four feet.

(4) No exotic feline may be restrained by a tether as primary means of confinement.

(5) Security: In order to provide for the safety of the public, exotic felines shall be handled in accordance with the following:

(a) Cages and outdoor Facilities for Class 1 and 2 exotic felines shall be surrounded by a fence or wall that is of sufficient strength and construction so as to prevent entrance by the public. The fence shall be at least six feet in height and six feet distant from the cage. Impervious walls on the outside perimeter of the property used as wall(s) of the primary enclosure do not require the additional perimeter fence. The area enclosed by the fence or wall required by this section is not part of the Facility for purposes of the confinement area requirement; and

(b) All classes of exotic felines shall be confined inside the permitted Facility and shall only be allowed outside the Facility for medical treatment or for removal to another approved Facility. When being transported the animal(s) shall be restrained inside a cage within the vehicle so as to prevent escape from, or interference with, the operator of the vehicle.

(6) Sanitation: Excreta and debris shall be removed from indoor and outdoor Facilities as often as necessary to prevent contamination of the food or water supplies, reduce disease hazards, and reduce odors.

(7) The Department may modify or waive the confinement requirements established in sections (2), (3), and (5) of this rule subject to the following:

(a) The animal is determined by the Department to be less than 180 days of age;

(b) The Departments's approval to modify or waive the requirements must be in writing and must include an expiration date; and

(c) The Department may impose reasonable conditions on such approval.

Notes

Or. Admin. R. 603-011-0710

AD 9-1986, f. & ef. 5-27-86; AD 18-1997(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 12-8-97 thru 6-5-98; DOA 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 9-14-98

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561 & ORS 609

Stats. Implemented: ORS 609.205 - ORS 609.335