Texas Administrative Code › Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES › Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES › Chapter 169 - ZOONOSIS CONTROL › Subchapter A - RABIES CONTROL AND ERADICATION › Section 169.26 - Facilities for the Quarantining or Impounding of Animals

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) Generally.
(1) Structural strength. Housing facilities
				  shall be structurally sound and shall be maintained in good repair in order to
				  protect the animals from injury, to contain them, and to prevent transmission
				  of diseases.
(2) Water and electric
				  power. Reliable and adequate electric power, if required to comply with other
				  provisions of this subchapter, and adequate fresh, clean water shall be
				  available.
(3) Storage. Supplies of
				  food and bedding shall be stored in facilities which adequately protect such
				  supplies against infestation or contamination by vermin. Refrigeration shall be
				  provided for supplies of perishable food. Non-perishable foods, such as dry
				  food, do not require refrigeration. Open bags of non-perishable dry food should
				  be sealed or stored in sealed cans, and unopened bags should be stacked on
				  pallets or shelves with at least 12 inches of clearance between the floor and
				  the first level to enable effective inspection and cleaning
				  practices.
(4) Waste disposal.
				  Provision shall be made for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes,
				  bedding, dead animals, and debris. Disposal facilities shall be so provided and
				  operated as to minimize vermin infestations, odors, and disease hazards. A
				  suitable method shall be provided to rapidly and safely remove water and other
				  liquid waste from housing facilities. Housing facilities should be designed to
				  have animal excreta removed through sanitary sewers, septic systems, or
				  garbage. All closed drainage systems should be equipped with traps, vents, and
				  acceptable drain covers to exclude rodents and prevent any backup of sewer gas
				  and odors into the facility.
(5)
				  Washrooms and sinks. Facilities for personal hygiene, such as washrooms,
				  basins, or sinks, shall be provided for employees.
(6) Management. The manager of a facility
				  should be either an individual who has satisfactorily completed an appropriate
				  training course or a veterinarian.
(7) Records. Records shall be kept on each
				  animal processed through the housing facility. At a minimum, the records shall
				  document the animal's description, impoundment date, disposition date, and
				  method of disposition. Records shall be available for inspection by the
				  department.
(8) Heating. Adequate
				  shelter shall be provided to protect animals from any form of cold or inclement
				  weather and direct effects of wind, rain, or snow. Auxiliary heat or clean, dry
				  bedding material shall be provided any time the ambient temperature falls below
				  50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) when animals are present. If
				  supplemental bedding material is used during cold weather, quantities should be
				  adequate to prevent hypothermia as temperatures drop.
(9) Cooling and Ventilation. Adequate shelter
				  shall be provided to protect animals from any form of overheating and direct
				  rays of the sun. Facilities shall be provided with fresh air either by means of
				  windows, doors, vents, fans, or air conditioning and shall be ventilated so as
				  to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation. Auxiliary ventilation,
				  such as fans or air conditioning, shall be provided in indoor facilities when
				  the ambient temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.5 degrees Celsius) or
				  higher when animals are present.
(10) Lighting. Housing facilities shall have
				  ample light of sufficient intensity to permit routine inspection and cleaning.
				  Primary enclosures shall be situated to protect the animals from excessive
				  illumination.
(11) Construction.
				  Housing facilities must be constructed in such a manner that they will protect
				  the animal and not create a health risk or public nuisance. The building
				  surfaces shall be constructed and maintained so that they are impervious to
				  moisture and may be readily sanitized. Floors shall be made of durable,
				  nonabsorbent material.
(12) Primary
				  enclosures. Primary enclosures should be designed based upon enclosure
				  guidelines prepared by The Association of Shelter Veterinarians and set forth
				  in the latest edition of the
Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal
				  Shelters.
Primary enclosures shall:
(A) be structurally sound and maintained in
				  good repair;
(B) provide convenient
				  access to clean food and water;
(C)
				  enable the animal to remain dry and clean;
(D) be constructed and maintained so that the
				  surfaces are impervious to moisture and may be readily sanitized;
(E) be constructed so as to protect the
				  animal's feet and legs from injury; and
(F) provide sufficient space to allow each
				  animal to make normal postural adjustments without touching the top of the
				  enclosure, including turning freely, standing easily, sitting, stretching,
				  moving its head, lying in a comfortable position with limbs extended, and
				  moving and assuming a comfortable posture for feeding, drinking, urinating, and
				  defecating.