West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 58 - Natural Resources › Title 58 - LEGISLATIVE EXEMPT RULE BUREAU OF COMMERCE DIVISION OF NATURAL RESOURCES › Series 58-64 - Miscellaneous Permits and Licenses › Appendix A

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
PERMANENT CAGE/PEN/HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
When wildlife is kept for more than thirty (30) consecutive
				  days at the same location, such wildlife shall be placed in enclosures meeting,
				  at a minimum, the requirements below:
1. Black Bears
a. Cage size for one bear
1) 25'L by 12'W by 8'H
b. Cage size for pair
1) 30'L by 15'W by 8'H
c. Accessories
1) Roofed shelter
2) EXTREMELY DANGEROUS - DO NOT MOLEST signs
2. Buffalo
a. Cage size for one animal
1) 5,000 square foot enclosure.
b. Cage size for each additional animal
1) Increase enclosure area by 25%
c. Accessories
1) Roofed shelter
2) DANGEROUS - DO NOT MOLEST signs
3. Bobcats
a. Cage size for one bobcat
1) 8'L by 4'W by 6'H
b. Cage size for each additional animal
1) Add 2'L
c. Accessories
1) Roofed shelter
2) 4'L by 14"W by 36"h resting shelf
3) At least two claw logs
4) EXTREMELY DANGEROUS - DO NOT MOLEST signs
4. Foxes
a. Cage size for one fox
1) 5'L by 30"W by 30"H
2) 18" above ground level
3) A wire cage bottom with openings of a size which allows
				  droppings, but not the fox's feet, to fall through
4) Cage sizes for ranch fox may conform to acceptable and
				  reasonable industry standards.
b. Accessories
1) 2'L by 30"W by 30"H roofed shelter
2) DANGEROUS - DO NOT MOLEST signs
5. Raccoons
a. Cage size for one raccoon
1) 6'L by 5'W by 6'H
b. Cage size for two or three raccoons
1) 8'L by 5'W by 6'H
c. Cage size for each additional animal
1) Add 2'L
d. Accessories
1) Roofed shelter or nest box
2) One resting shelf per animal
3) At least two limbs for climbing
6. Opossum or Skunks
a. Cage size for one animal
1) 4'L by 4'W by 6'H
b. Cage size for pair
1) 6'L by 4'W by 6'H
c. Cage size for each additional animal
1) Add 1'L
d. Accessories
1) Roofed shelter or nest box
2) At least three limbs for climbing
7. Woodchucks
a. Cage size for one animal
1) 8'L by 6'W by 4'H
b. Cage size for each additional animal
1) Add 3'L
c. Accessories
1) Roofed shelter or nest box
8. River Otters, Fishers, Minks or Weasels
a. Cage size for one pair
1) 10'L by 6'W by 6'H
2) Cage size for ranch mink may conform to acceptable and
				  reasonable industry standards.
b. Cage size for each additional animal
1) Increase cage and pool size by 25%
c. Accessories
1) Dry sleeping retreat
2) 6'L by 4'W pool 3'D at one end
3) EXTREMELY DANGEROUS - DO NOT MOLEST signs
9. Beavers and Muskrats
a. Cage size for one to three animals
1) 8'L by 4'W by 5'H
b. Cage size for each additional animal
1) Add 2'L
c. Accessories
1) Roofed shelter or nest box
2) 4'L by 4'W by 24"D pool
3) Two or more gnawing logs
10. Squirrels and Chipmunks
a. Cage size for one to two animals
1) 3'L by 2'W by 4'H
b. Cage size for each additional animal
1) Add 6"L
c. Accessories
1) Nest box
2) At least three limbs for climbing
11. Rabbits and Hares
a. Cage size for one animal
1) 6'L by 3'W by 3'H
b. Cage size for each additional animal
1) Add 1'L
c. Accessories
1) Nest box
2) Gnawing log
12. Grouse, Pheasants, Quail or Doves
a. Cage size for one to five birds
1) 100 square foot enclosure with 6'H fence
2) Cage sizes for the propagation and raising of game birds
				  may conform to acceptable and reasonable industry standards.
b. Cage size for each additional bird
1) Increase enclosure area by 20 square feet
c. Accessories
1) Dusting area
13. Waterfowl
a. Cage size for two pairs or one pair with off-springs of
				  the year
1) 100 square foot area
2) Water area = 25% of total area
b. Cage size for each additional bird
1) Increase cage/water area by 20%
14. Other Flying Birds
a. Enclosures for flying birds must either be small enough to
				  inhibit flying altogether or large enough to permit aerial maneuvering within
				  the enclosure.
15. Reptiles
a. Indoor diorama-type cages
1) Cages must be fronted with one-quarter inch mesh hardware
				  cloth or plate glass of at least one-quarter inch in thickness.
2) Cages may be built of waterproof plywood of at least
				  one-quarter inch in thickness, concrete plastered-over wire, sheet metal,
				  one-quarter inch mesh hardware cloth, or interlocking lumber of at least
				  three-quarter inch in thickness.
3) Cages are to be tightly closed at the top and all doors
				  are to be tight fitting. The doors of all cages must be key-locked.
b. Outdoor cages or pits
1) The floors of outdoor cages or pits must be of concrete or
				  masonry construction that is at least two inches in thickness. Cage sides must
				  be of similar construction and at least six inches in thickness, with a minimum
				  eight of four feet above the floor of the enclosures unless completely roofed
				  over by close-meshed wire. The corners of all open-topped pits must be designed
				  or guarded so as to prevent the escape of reptiles by climbing. Entrance doors
				  must be key-locked.
Enclosures for wildlife not listed above must be approved by
				  the Chief or his authorized representative prior to its construction.
TEMPORARY CAGE/PEN/HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
When wildlife is transported or is kept for less than thirty
				  (30) consecutive days at the same location, such wildlife must be placed in
				  cages meeting, at a minimum, the requirements outlined below:
1. Cage requirements for each animal or bird
a. Cage length must be at least double the animal or bird's
				  body length (excluding its tail).
b. Cage width must at least equal body length.
c. Cage height must be at least 1' higher than the animal or
				  bird's head when standing.
2. Cage requirements for each additional animal or
				  bird
a. Cage length must be increased by 33%.
3. Animals and birds should be transported in air-conditioned
				  or well-ventilated vehicles that can be adjusted to weather conditions. All
				  animals must be provided with fresh water twice and fed at least once in any
				  twenty-four (24) hour period while in transit.
Wildlife may not be housed for a period of more than thirty
				  (30) consecutive days at the same location in cages meeting these temporary
				  cage requirements.