Minnesota Administrative Rules

6244.0900 FACILITIES AND OPERATING STANDARDS.

Subpart 1.

Separation of animal facilities from humans.

Except as required for the care provider to feed, water, and exercise animals, indoor and outdoor facilities, cages, pens, enclosures, or other areas must be sufficiently separate and protected from pets and from human living or work space to prevent human contact with animals. Animals must be kept in separate facilities at all times except when removal is necessary for veterinary care, transfer to another licensed rehabilitator, or release to the wild.

Subp. 2.

Size; construction.

The facility must be constructed of a material and strength that is appropriate for the animals involved. The housing facilities shall be structurally sound and shall be maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury and to contain the animals.

Enclosures shall be constructed and maintained to provide sufficient space to allow each animal to make normal postural and social adjustments with adequate freedom of movement. Inadequate space may be indicated by evidence of malnutrition, poor condition, debility, stress, or abnormal behavior patterns. Guidelines for space requirements for various species shall be provided by the commissioner.

Adequate potable water shall be available on the premises with reliable and adequate electric power if required to comply with other provisions of the permit.

Subp. 3.

Sanitation.

Provisions shall be made for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, dead animals, trash, and debris. Disposal facilities shall be provided and operated to minimize vermin infestation, odors, and disease hazards. Permittees shall comply with all applicable laws pertaining to disposal. A suitable sanitary method shall be provided to rapidly eliminate excess water from indoor housing facilities. If drains are used, they shall be properly constructed and installed to prevent any backup of sewage and kept in good repair to avoid foul odors.

Subp. 4.

Indoor facilities.

Temperature in indoor housing facilities shall be sufficiently regulated by heating or cooling to protect the animals from the extremes of temperature, to provide for their health, and to prevent their discomfort. The ambient temperature shall not be allowed to fall below nor rise above temperatures compatible with the health and comfort of the animal.

Indoor housing facilities shall be adequately ventilated by natural or mechanical means to provide for the health and to prevent discomfort of the animals at all times. The facilities shall be provided with fresh air either by means of windows, doors, vents, fans, or air conditioning, and shall be ventilated to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation.

Indoor housing facilities shall have ample lighting, by natural or artificial means, or both, of good quality, distribution, and duration as appropriate for the species involved. The lighting shall be uniformly distributed and of sufficient intensity to permit routine inspection and cleaning. Lighting of primary enclosures shall be designed to protect the animals from excessive illumination.

Subp. 5.

Outdoor facilities.

When sunlight is likely to cause overheating or discomfort of the animals, sufficient shade by natural or artificial means shall be provided to allow all animals kept outdoors to protect themselves from direct sunlight.

Natural or artificial shelter appropriate to local climatic conditions for the species concerned shall be provided for all animals kept outdoors to afford them protection and to prevent discomfort to the animals. Individual animals shall be acclimated before they are exposed to the extremes of weather.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 97A.401; 97A.418

History:

20 SR 2291(NO. 43)

Published Electronically:

October 3, 2013