Suggested
Animal Shelter Standards for NM
A. DEFINITIONS
1. "ANIMAL SHELTER" - a private or publicly owned or operated
facility where stray or unwanted animals are held.
2. No person
shall operate an animal shelter in the absence of any applicable
permit or license required by a city, county or state regulation
office.
B. STRUCTURAL PLAN EVALUATION
1. Submission of Plans: Detailed plans and specifications of
all structures, fences, walls, and property limits shall be submitted
to the state or local regulation office whenever it is proposed
to erect, operate, or extensively remodel any kennel. Each kennel
operator or person intending to become a kennel operator shall be
responsible for submitting all plans and specifications.
2. Contents
of plans and specifications: Final plans and specifications shall
show compliance with these regulations and shall include schedules
describing the ventilation system, plumbing equipment, and finishes
of floors, walls and ceilings. A plan review form may be obtained
from the regulation department.
C. STRUCTURAL STANDARDS
All structures and fencing shall:
1. Be constructed
of building materials that will ensure the establishment of a sound
physical structure.
2. Be maintained
in good repair.
3. Protect
animals kept there from injury, ensure containment of animals within
the shelter, and exclude the entry of outside animals and unauthorized
personnel.
D. FACILITY STANDARDS.
1. Animal housing areas shall be physically separated from
places where food and drink for human consumption are prepared,
served or stored, and from living and sleeping quarters of personnel.
2. The interior
building surfaces shall be constructed and maintained so that they
are impervious to moisture and may be readily cleaned.
3. Animal
food storage and equipment cleaning areas shall be physically separated
from animal housing.
4. Reliable
and adequate electric power shall be provided.
5. Reliable
and adequate potable water shall be provided. Back flow preventers
shall be installed on any threaded faucets.
6. Readily
accessible washrooms or sinks shall be provided to maintain personal
hygiene among animal caretakers. A two-compartment sink in good
repair shall be provided for washing and sanitizing equipment used
for animal care and feeding.
7. Indoor
housing for animals shall be sufficiently heated when necessary
to protect animals from cold, and to provide for their health and
comfort. The ambient temperature shall be consistent with the requirements
of the specific species.
8. Indoor
housing for animals shall be adequately ventilated with fresh air
to minimize odors and moisture and to provide for the health and
comfort of the animals at all times. Kennels shall have fresh air
ventilation providing ten or more air changes per hour in animal
housing areas or may recycle air through a filter system approved
by the regulation authority.
9. Artificial
lighting shall be provided for a minimum of 8 hours per day for
animals housed exclusively indoors.
10. A suitable
method shall be provided to rapidly eliminate excess water from
animal housing facilities. If drains are used, they shall be properly
constructed and kept in good repair. If closed drainage systems
are used, wastewater shall be disposed of by connection to a sanitary
sewer or any approved sewage disposal system.
E. ANIMAL ENCLOSURE STANDARDS
1. Primary enclosures defined: Primary enclosures are those
animal enclosures in which the animal normally rests or sleeps
2. Primary
enclosures shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair
to protect the animals from injury. They shall be constructed and
maintained to enable the animals to remain dry and clean and to
provide convenient access to clean food and water
3. The floors
of the primary enclosures shall be constructed to prevent injury
to the animals, and to ensure adequate drainage and prevent pooling
of fluids within the primary enclosure.
4. Space
Requirements: Primary enclosures shall be constructed to provide
sufficient space to allow each animal to exercise normal postural
movements. Primary enclosures shall house no more than eight (8)
animals per enclosure, and shall
provide enough
space for each animal to exercise normal postural movements without
making physical contact with other animals.
5. Additional
Requirements for Housing Cats: A receptacle containing sufficient
clean litter shall be provided to contain excreta.
6. A structurally
sound, weatherproof enclosure and adequate shade shall be made
accessible to every animal housed exclusively outdoors. Sufficient
clean bedding material or other means of protection from the weather
shall be provided when the ambient temperature falls below that
to which the animal is acclimated.
F. SANITATION
l. Animal
wastes shall be removed from primary enclosures daily or more
often as necessary to prevent contamination of the animals contained
therein and to reduce disease hazards and odors. Cages shall be
cleaned as often as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions
by washing all surfaces with a detergent solution followed by
a safe and effective sanitizer. Animals must be removed from the
enclosures during the cleaning process and precautions taken to
avoid cross contamination.
2. Water
and food containers and all other utensils shall be cleaned and
sanitized using generally accepted methods such as the use of
heat or chemical sanitizing solution. These containers shall be
cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain sanitary
conditions.
3. Animal
and food wastes, soiled bedding, dead animals, debris and other
organic wastes shall be stored in closed containers and disposed
of so that vermin infestation, odors, disease hazards and nuisances
are minimized. Such waste shall be removed at least weekly from
the facility.
4. Pens
and runs using sand or gravel shall have such materials replaced
as often as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions.
5. Building
and grounds shall be kept clean, in good repair, and free from
trash.
6. An
effective program for the control of insects, ectoparasites and
avian and mammalian pests shall be maintained.
7. Unopened
supplies of food and bedding shall be stored off the floor and
be adequately protected against infestation or contamination by
vermin. Opened supplies of food and bedding shall be stored in
closed waterproof containers.
8. Animals
that die at the facility shall be stored and disposed of in a
way that will not cause a disease hazard or nuisance.
9. Artificial
lighting shall be provided for a minimum of 8 hours per day for
animals housed exclusively indoors.
10. A suitable
method shall be provided to rapidly eliminate excess water from
animal housing facilities. If drains are used, they shall be properly
constructed and kept in good repair. If closed drainage systems
are used, wastewater shall be disposed of by connection to a sanitary
sewer or any approved sewage disposal system.
G. CARE AND HANDLING
1. FOOD AND
WATER
a. Animals
shall be fed at least once a day and shall be provided potable
water at all times except when under special veterinary care.
The food and water shall be free from contamination, palatable,
and of sufficient quality and nutritive value to meet the normal
daily requirements for the condition and size of the animal. Refrigeration
shall be provided for perishable food.
b. Food
and water containers shall be accessible to the animal and located
to minimize contamination by excreta or other material. These
containers shall be cleaned daily.
c. Disposable
food containers may be used if discarded after use. Self feeders
and waterers may be used if cleaned regularly.
2. CLASSIFICATION
AND SEPARATION
a. Animals housed in the same enclosure shall be maintained
in compatible groups, with the following additional restrictions:
Females in season (estrus) shall not be housed in the same primary
enclosure with males. Any dog or cat exhibiting a vicious disposition
shall be housed individually in an enclosure.
b. Animals
under four months of age shall not be housed in the same primary
enclosure with adult animals other than their dams.
c. Dogs
shall not be housed in the same enclosure with cats, nor shall
dogs or cats be housed in the same primary enclosure with any
other species of animals.
d. Animals
under quarantine or treatment for a communicable disease shall
be physically separated from other susceptible animals to minimize
dissemination of disease. Such quarantine area should have a separate
ventilation system.
e. All
animals housed at the shelter will be confined to a primary enclosure
at all times unless under the direct supervision of shelter personnel.
1. Records
of the sale, adoption or owner reclaim of animals shall be completed
in duplicate, the original to be issued to the purchaser and
the duplicate retained by the shelter operator for two (2) years
from the date of the transaction, and shall be available to
any inspector authorized by the department issuing the shelter
permit. Such records shall include the date of transaction,
species or breed and the name, address and phone number of the
purchaser or adopter. The record shall show that animal animal
housing areas or may recycle air through a filter system approved
by the regulation authority.
I. DISEASE
CONTROL
1. Animals
shall be observed daily for signs of disease. An animal suspected
of having an infectious disease shall be physically separated
from other susceptible animals until the condition is determined
to be non-infectious.
2. Sick
or injured animals shall, in a timely manner, be provided with
veterinary care or shall be euthanized humanely according to
the American Veterinary Medical Association's Guidelines for
Humane Euthanasia.
3. Animals
with obvious signs of serious disease or injury, or vicious
nature shall not be sold, traded, given away, abandoned, or
disposed of in an inhumane manner.
4. The
department may issue quarantine orders to a shelter in accordance
with state law.
The New Mexico
Federation of Animal Care, Control and Humane Agencies
MISSION
STATEMENT
To assist
and support animal care and protection agencies in strengthening
their agency and programs and to support the establishment of
such agencies where they do not exist.
To develop,
sponsor and promote educational programs to increase public
awareness about animal issues, and to encourage respect, appreciation
and responsibility towards animals.
To engage
in activities which promote kindness, consideration and prevention
of cruelty to animals.
To support
legislation and enforcement of animal protection laws.
Membership
in the New Mexico Federation of Animal Care, Control and Humane
Agencies, a New Mexico Nonprofit Corporation, is open to municipal
animal care and control agencies and 501(c)(3) non-profit animal
care/welfare agencies in the State of New Mexico.
Requests
for information can be sent to:
The NM Federation
of Animal Care, Control and Humane Agencies
c/o AHA of
NM
615 Virginia
St. SE
Albuquerque,
NM 87108
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