§ 4-174. Animal housing.

(a)

Interior and exterior kennel and pet shop cages in which animals are kept shall be constructed of durable material which may be readily cleaned and disinfected with approved solutions, or by other approved means. Cages shall be designed and constructed so that all their parts are easily cleanable.

(b)

Each dog and cat over three months of age shall be kept in an individual cage, except that commingling of animals of the same owner shall be permitted at the owner's request. Other animals shall be caged as appropriate for their age, gender, and species as determined by the department upon notice to the owner/operator of the establishment where they are kept.

(c)

Should a kennel which houses animals with different owners want to co-mingle the animals, a notice must be posted in a conspicuous place. The notice must inform customers that their animals will co-mingle with other animals at the facility. In addition, the kennel must meet the requirements of subsection (g) of this section.

(d)

Cages shall be adequately sized so the animal can stand, lie down and turn around without any part of the animal touching the top of the cage, including its ears and tail.

(e)

Sick animals shall be isolated in rooms or cages separate from healthy birds and animals.

(f)

Birds shall be housed at least 12 inches above the floor.

(g)

For kennel properties in excess of two and one-half acres (one parcel), where all the animals belong to one owner (as in the case of a shelter), cages for animals are not required; however, the following must be met:

(1)

Animal manure shall be gathered a minimum of once daily and properly handled and disposed of so as not to pose a public health nuisance.

(2)

Disinfection methods must be used when appropriate.

(3)

Where cages and/or dog runs are provided, they must be constructed of durable material which may be readily cleaned and disinfected with approved solutions or by other means. Kennels must be sloped to drain properly to an approved wastewater and/or drain system.

(4)

In addition to records requirements outlined in section 4-179, rabies vaccination certificates shall be maintained for each animal over three months of age housed on the premises. Animals shall be required to wear a collar with a rabies tag which matches the certificate on file in the kennel or pet shop office. The description shall be enough to distinguish each animal from another.

(5)

All fencing surrounding the property must be in good repair.

(6)

The areas where animals are kept must be physically separated from and not accessible by visitors to the property.

(h)

Each occupied cage and/or dog run shall be cleaned and disinfected at least once daily.

(i)

Veterinary clinic and hospital cages shall be similarly designed and constructed, and in addition each occupied cage shall be cleaned and disinfected at least once daily. Animals receiving medical care and quarantined animals shall not be co-mingled.

( Ord. No. 2007-08 , § 9, 10-15-2007)