Licensees must not transport or deliver for transport in commerce
a dog or cat unless the following requirements are met:
(1) Construction of primary enclosures. The dog or
cat must be contained in a primary enclosure such as a compartment,
transport cage, carton, or crate. Primary enclosures used to transport
dogs and cats must be constructed so that:
(A) The primary enclosure is strong enough to contain
the dogs and cats securely and comfortably and to withstand the normal
rigors of transportation;
(B) The interior of the primary enclosure has no sharp
points or edges and no protrusions that could injure the animal contained
in it;
(C) The dog or cat is at all times securely contained
within the enclosure and cannot put any part of its body outside the
enclosure in a way that could result in injury to itself, to handlers,
or to persons or animals nearby;
(D) The dog or cat can be easily and quickly removed
from the enclosure in an emergency;
(E) Unless the enclosure is permanently affixed to
the conveyance, adequate devices such as handles or handholds are
provided on its exterior, and enable the enclosure to be lifted without
tilting it, and ensure that anyone handling the enclosure will not
come into physical contact with the animal contained inside;
(F) Unless the enclosure is permanently affixed to
the conveyance, it is clearly marked on top and on one or more sides
with the words "Live Animals," in letters at least 1 inch (2.5 cm.)
high, and with arrows or other markings to indicate the correct upright
position of the primary enclosure;
(G) Any material, treatment, paint, preservative, or
other chemical used in or on the enclosure is nontoxic to the animal
and not harmful to the health or well-being of the animal;
(H) Proper ventilation is provided to the animal in
accordance with paragraph (3); and
(I) The primary enclosure has a solid, leak-proof bottom
or a removable, leak-proof collection tray under a slatted or mesh
floor that prevents seepage of waste products, such as excreta and
body fluids, outside of the enclosure. If a slatted or mesh floor
is used in the enclosure, it must be designed and constructed so that
the animal cannot put any part of its body between the slats or through
the holes in the mesh. Unless the dogs and cats are on raised slatted
floors or raised floors made of mesh, the primary enclosure must contain
enough previously unused litter to absorb and cover excreta. The litter
must be of a suitably absorbent material that is safe and nontoxic
to the dogs and cats.
(2) Cleaning of primary enclosures. A primary enclosure
used to hold or transport dogs or cats in commerce must be cleaned
and sanitized before each use in accordance with the methods provided
in §91.109(b)(3). If the dogs or cats are in transit for more
than 24 hours, the enclosures must be cleaned and any litter replaced,
or other methods, such as moving the animals to another enclosure,
must be utilized to prevent the soiling of the dogs or cats by body
wastes. If it becomes necessary to remove the dog or cat from the
enclosure in order to clean, or to move the dog or cat to another
enclosure, this procedure must be completed in a way that safeguards
the dog or cat from injury and prevents escape.
(3) Ventilation.
(A) Unless the primary enclosure is permanently affixed
to the conveyance, there must be:
(i) Ventilation openings located on two opposing walls
of the primary enclosure and the openings must be at least 16 percent
of the surface area of each such wall, and the total combined surface
area of the ventilation openings must be at least 14 percent of the
total combined surface area of all the walls of the primary enclosure;
or
(ii) Ventilation openings on three walls of the primary
enclosure, and the openings on each of the two opposing walls must
be at least 8 percent of the total surface area of the two walls,
and the ventilation openings on the third wall of the primary enclosure
must be at least 50 percent of the total surface area of that wall,
and the total combined surface area of the ventilation openings must
be at least 14 percent of the total combined surface area of all the
walls of the primary enclosure; or
(iii) Ventilation openings located on all four walls
of the primary enclosure and the ventilation openings on each of the
four walls must be at least 8 percent of the total surface area of
each such wall, and the total combined surface area of the openings
must be at least 14 percent of total combined surface area of all
the walls of the primary enclosure; and
(iv) At least one-third of the ventilation area must
be located on the upper half of the primary enclosure.
(B) Unless the primary enclosure is permanently affixed
to the conveyance, projecting rims or similar devices must be located
on the exterior of each enclosure wall having a ventilation opening,
in order to prevent obstruction of the openings. The projecting rims
or similar devices must be large enough to provide a minimum air circulation
space of 0.75 in. (1.9 cm) between the primary enclosure and anything
the enclosure is placed against.
(C) If a primary enclosure is permanently affixed to
the primary conveyance so that there is only a front ventilation opening
for the enclosure, the primary enclosure must be affixed to the primary
conveyance in such a way that the front ventilation opening cannot
be blocked, and the front ventilation opening must open directly to
an unobstructed aisle or passageway inside the conveyance. The ventilation
opening must be at least 90 percent of the total area of the front
wall of the enclosure, and must be covered with bars, wire mesh, or
smooth expanded metal having air spaces.
(4) Compatibility.
(A) Live dogs or cats transported in the same primary
enclosure must be of the same species and be maintained in compatible
groups, except that dogs and cats that are private pets, are of comparable
size, and are compatible, may be transported in the same primary enclosure.
(B) Puppies or kittens 6 months of age or less may
not be transported in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs or
cats other than their dams.
(C) Dogs or cats that are overly aggressive or exhibit
a vicious disposition must be transported individually in a primary
enclosure.
(D) Any female dog or cat in heat (estrus) may not
be transported in the same primary enclosure with any male dog or
cat.
(5) Space and placement.
(A) Primary enclosures used to transport live dogs
and cats must be large enough to ensure that each animal contained
in the primary enclosure has enough space to turn about normally while
standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position.
(B) Primary enclosures used to transport dogs and cats
must be positioned in the primary conveyance so as to provide protection
from the elements.
(6) Transportation by air.
(A) No more than one live dog or cat, 6 months of age
or older, may be transported in the same primary enclosure when shipped
via air carrier.
(B) No more than one live puppy, 8 weeks to 6 months
of age, and weighing over 20 lbs (9 kg), may be transported in a primary
enclosure when shipped via air carrier.
(C) No more than two live puppies or kittens, 8 weeks
to 6 months of age, that are of comparable size, and weighing 20 lbs
(9 kg) or less each, may be transported in the same primary enclosure
when shipped via air carrier.
(D) Weaned live puppies or kittens less than 8 weeks
of age and of comparable size, or puppies or kittens that are less
than 8 weeks of age that are littermates and are accompanied by their
dam, may be transported in the same primary enclosure when shipped
to research facilities, including federal research facilities.
(7) Transportation by surface vehicle or privately
owned aircraft.
(A) No more than four live dogs or cats, 8 weeks of
age or older, that are of comparable size, may be transported in the
same primary enclosure when shipped by surface vehicle (including
ground and water transportation) or privately owned aircraft, and
only if all other requirements of this section are met.
(B) Weaned live puppies or kittens less than 8 weeks
of age and of comparable size, or puppies or kittens that are less
than 8 weeks of age that are littermates and are accompanied by their
dam, may be transported in the same primary enclosure when shipped
to research facilities, including federal research facilities, and
only if all other requirements in this section are met.
(8) Accompanying documents and records. Shipping documents
that must accompany shipments of dogs and cats may be held by the
operator of the primary conveyance, for surface transportation only,
or must be securely attached in a readily accessible manner to the
outside of any primary enclosure that is part of the shipment, in
a manner that allows them to be detached for examination and securely
reattached, such as in a pocket or sleeve. Instructions for administration
of drugs, medication, and other special care must be attached to each
primary enclosure in a manner that makes them easy to notice, to detach
for examination, and to reattach securely. Food and water instructions
must be securely attached to the outside of the primary enclosure
in a manner that makes them easily noticed and read.
|
