02 NCAC 52J .0302. PRIMARY ENCLOSURES USED IN TRANSPORTING DOGS AND CATS

(a)  Primary enclosures such as compartments or transport cages, cartons, or crates used by persons subject to the Animal Welfare Act to transport cats and dogs shall be constructed, ventilated and designed to protect the health and insure the safety of the animals.  Such enclosures shall be constructed or positioned in the vehicle in such a manner that:

(1)           Each animal in the vehicle has sufficient fresh air for normal breathing.

(2)           The openings of such enclosures are easily accessible for emergency removals at all times.

(3)           The animals are adequately protected from the elements.

The ambient temperature shall be maintained between 50 degrees F and 85 degrees F.  A shelter shall be deemed as being in compliance if its vehicles' animal containment units are equipped with operable air-conditioning, forced-air cooling and heating or other temperature control mechanisms.

(b)  Animals transported in the same primary enclosure shall be of the same species.  Puppies or kittens less than four months of age shall not be transported in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs and cats other than their dams.

(c)  Primary enclosures used to transport dogs and cats shall be large enough for each animal to turn about freely, and to easily stand, sit, or lie down in a natural position.  Primary enclosures used to transport dogs and cats shall be secured to the vehicle to prevent sliding or tipping of the enclosure during transit.

(d)  Animals shall not be placed in primary enclosures over other animals in transit unless such enclosure is constructed so as to prevent animal excreta from entering lower enclosures.

(e)  All primary enclosures used to transport dogs and cats shall be sanitized between use for shipments.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 19A-24;

Eff. April 1, 1984;

Amended Eff. March 23, 2009; January 1, 2005.