Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 40 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Chapter 40-13 - ANIMAL HEALTH DIVISION › Subject 40-13-13 - ANIMAL PROTECTION › Rule 40-13-13-.04 - Premise Requirements and Performance Standards for Owner and/or Operator

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(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.