Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 16 - Captive Wildlife › Section NR 16.30 - Pen specifications, humane handling, care, treatment and transportation of captive wild animals

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) APPLICABILITY. This section applies to
				captive wild animals that are required to be held under the authority of a ch.
				169, Stats., license, except that coyote, fox and rabbit may be held pursuant
				to a hound dog training or trial license issued under s.
				169.20 or
				169.21,
				Stats., and confined to a hound dog training enclosure as defined under s.
				NR
				17.001(5s).
Note:
Pen specifications, and requirements for
				  humane handling, care and treatment of coyote, fox and rabbit held under the
				  authority of a hound dog training or trialing license are found in ch. NR
				  17.
(2) GENERAL FACILITY
				REQUIREMENTS.
(a)
Structure
;
construction
. Facilities for captive wild animals shall be
				designed and constructed so that they are structurally sound. They shall be
				kept in good repair, protect the captive wild animals from injury, contain the
				animals securely and restrict other animals from entering. Portions of
				buildings devoted to human occupancy may not be used as the primary enclosure
				or primary housing facility for captive wild animals listed in sub. (4).
				Possession of captive wild animals listed in sub. (4) in portions of buildings
				devoted to human occupancy shall be limited to temporary health care, treatment
				or special handling needs except that wolf-dog hybrids kept as pets may share
				indoor housing which is intended for human occupancy.
(b)
Housing site
. Facilities
				and areas used for storing animal food or bedding shall be free of any
				accumulation of trash, waste material, refuse, weeds and other discarded
				materials.
(c)
Surfaces
.
1. The surfaces of
				facilities including houses, dens and other fixtures and objects within the
				primary enclosure shall be constructed in a manner and made of materials that
				allow them to be readily cleaned and sanitized, or removed or replaced when
				worn or soiled. Interior surfaces and any surfaces that come in contact with
				captive wild animals shall be all of the following:
a. Free of excessive rust that prevents
				cleaning and sanitation, or that affects the structural strength of the
				surface.
b. Free of jagged edges or
				sharp points that might injure the animals.
2. All surfaces shall be maintained and
				cleaned. Surfaces of facilities, including houses, dens and other fixtures and
				objects within the facility that may not be readily cleaned and sanitized,
				shall be replaced when worn or soiled.
3. Raised floors shall be constructed in a
				manner that protects the captive wild animals' feet and legs from injury, and
				that do not allow the animals' feet to pass through any openings in the floor.
				If the floor of the enclosure is constructed of wire, a solid resting surface
				or surfaces that are large enough to hold all the occupants of the enclosure at
				the same time comfortably shall be provided.
(d)
Drainage and waste
				disposal
. Facility owners shall provide for regular and frequent
				collection, removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, debris,
				garbage, water, other fluids and wastes and dead animals, in a manner that
				minimizes contamination and disease risks. Standing puddles of water in captive
				wild animal enclosures shall be drained or mopped up after cleaning or periods
				of rainfall so that the animals stay dry. Trash containers in facilities and in
				food storage and food preparation areas shall be leakproof and shall have
				tightly fitted lids on them unless the caretaker is present.
(e)
Storage
. Supplies of
				food and bedding shall be stored in a manner that protects the supplies from
				spoilage, contamination and vermin infestation. The supplies shall be stored in
				a manner that allows cleaning underneath and around the supplies. Foods
				requiring refrigeration shall be stored accordingly, and all food shall be
				stored in a manner that prevents contamination and deterioration of its
				nutritive value. All open supplies of food shall be kept in leakproof
				containers with tightly fitting lids to prevent contamination and
				spoilage.
(f)
Pest
				control
. An effective program for the control of insects, external
				parasites and birds and mammals that are pests, shall be established and
				maintained to promote the health of the captive wild animals and reduce
				contamination.