| (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.
(b) Feeding.
(1) All food shall be free from contamination, wholesome,
palatable, and of sufficient quality and nutritive value to meet the
normal daily requirements for the condition, size, and age of the
animal.
(2) Dogs and cats shall be fed at least once a day
or more often as appropriate for the age and condition of the animal,
except as directed by a veterinarian.
(3) Domestic ferrets shall have continuous access to
food.
(4) All other animals shall be fed appropriately as
described on the packaging of a commercial, species-specific food,
except as directed by a veterinarian.
(5) Food receptacles shall be accessible to all animals
and shall be located so as to minimize contamination by excreta. Food
receptacles shall be durable and kept clean and sanitary. Disposable
food receptacles may be used but must be discarded after each feeding
or, for domestic ferrets, after 24 hours of use. Self feeders may
be used for feeding dry foods to animals acclimated to their use.
(c) Watering. If fresh, clean water is not accessible
to all animals at all times, it shall be offered to them at least
twice daily for periods of not less than one hour, except as directed
by a veterinarian. Drinking bottles may be used for animals acclimated
to their use. Domestic ferrets shall have fresh, clean water accessible
at all times, provided in drinking bottles of appropriate size to
maintain a fresh supply. Water receptacles shall be kept clean and
sanitary.
(d) Sanitation.
(1) Cleaning of primary enclosures. Excreta shall be
removed from primary enclosures as often as necessary to prevent contamination
of the inhabitants, but not less than daily.
(2) Sanitation of primary enclosures. Cages, rooms,
and pens shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.
(3) Building and premises. Building and premises shall
be kept clean.
(e) Pest Control. A regular program for the control
of insects, ectoparasites, and other pests shall be established and
maintained. The facility shall be free of visible signs of rodents
and keep other vermin infestations to a minimum at all times. Each
pesticide must be used in accordance with its manufacturer's label
instructions.
(f) Outdoor facilities are acceptable under this section
provided those facilities meet all the requirements of this section.
(g) This section applies to all animal shelters located
in counties with a population of 75,000 or greater as required by
the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 823, and to all quarantine
or impoundment facilities regardless of county population.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §169.26 adopted to be effective April 1, 1980, 5 TexReg 812; amended to be effective February 22, 1993, 18 TexReg 845; amended to be effective February 21, 1996, 21 TexReg 963; amended to be effective August 21, 1996, 21 TexReg 7660; amended to be effective July 12, 1998, 23 TexReg 7224; amended to be effective February 18, 2003, 28 TexReg 1389; amended to be effective July 21, 2004, 29 TexReg 6936; amended to be effective December 20, 2007, 32 TexReg 9341; amended to be effective March 31, 2013, 38 TexReg 1994 |
