Titles of Regulations: 2VAC5-110. Rules and Regulations Pertaining to a Pound or Enclosure to Be Maintained by Each County or City (repealing 2VAC5-110-10 through 2VAC5-110-110).

2VAC5-111. Public and Private Animal Shelters (adding 2VAC5-111-10 through 2VAC5-111-40).

Statutory Authority: § 3.2-6501 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: August 24, 2016.

Agency Contact: Dr. Carolynn Bissett, Program Manager, Office of Animal Care and Emergency Response, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 786-2483, FAX (804) 371-2380, TTY (800) 828-1120, or email carolynn.bissett@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Summary:

This action repeals the existing regulation that governs public animal shelters and replaces it with a regulation that governs both public and private animal shelters. The substantive changes in the replacement regulation (i) require animal shelters to provide each animal with an appropriate resting platform, bedding, or perch; (ii) require each shelter to have protocols that have been approved by a veterinarian for the medical treatment of animals, the control of infectious disease, and the management and care of neonatal and medically compromised animals; and (iii) require private animal shelters to have special housing for strays that are subject to a holding period.

Summary of Public Comments and Agency's Response: A summary of comments made by the public and the agency's response may be obtained from the promulgating agency or viewed at the office of the Registrar of Regulations.

CHAPTER 111
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ANIMAL SHELTERS

2VAC5-111-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Animal" means any nonaquatic companion animal that is in the custody of a public or private animal shelter and that is confined in or on the premises of the animal shelter.

"Enclosure" means a structure used to house or restrict animals from running at large such as a room, pen, cage, run, compartment, hutch, terrarium, or otherwise confined habitat.

"Facility" means a public animal shelter or private animal shelter as defined in § 3.2-6500 of the Code of Virginia.

2VAC5-111-20. General provisions.

A. Each facility shall be kept in a clean, dry, and sanitary condition and shall provide enclosures that can safely house and allow for adequate separation of animals of different species, sexes, ages, and temperaments. Animals shall be maintained in a manner that protects them against theft, injury, escape, and exposure to harmful substances.

B. Each facility shall ensure that all enclosures provide adequate shelter that is properly ventilated and that can be maintained at a comfortable temperature for the animals confined therein. An enclosure shall not be cleaned when occupied by an animal unless the animal can be further confined in a portion of the enclosure that precludes exposure to any cleaning agent including water and shall be thoroughly dry before the enclosure is returned to use. A disinfectant or germicidal agent shall be used when cleaning an enclosure.

C. Each facility shall reasonably endeavor to ensure that drinking water is available to each animal at all times unless otherwise ordered by a licensed veterinarian. Drinking water receptacles or bowls shall be secured to the enclosure in a fixed position or otherwise be of a design that cannot be tipped over by an animal and shall be maintained in sanitary condition.

D. Each facility shall ensure that animals are adequately and appropriately fed according to their species and age and that feed is stored in a manner that prevents spoilage, infestation, and contamination. All feed delivery utensils and receptacles shall be properly cleaned between uses.

E. Each facility shall ensure that each animal is provided access to a resting platform, bedding, or perch as appropriate to its species, age, and condition. All enclosures shall have solid floors.

2VAC5-111-30. Provision of veterinary treatment.

A. Each facility shall engage a licensed veterinarian to develop or ratify a protocol for determining if an ill, injured, or otherwise compromised animal requires treatment by a licensed veterinarian. Each facility shall adhere to this protocol and provide veterinary treatment when needed.

B. Each facility shall engage a licensed veterinarian to develop or ratify a protocol for the control of infectious and contagious disease and shall adhere to such protocol. Each facility shall provide a marked isolation room for the confinement of animals suffering from a contagious or infectious disease.

C. Each facility shall engage a licensed veterinarian to develop or ratify a protocol for the management of neonatal and medically compromised animals and shall adhere to such protocol. Enclosures shall be maintained that can properly and safely house such animals.

2VAC5-111-40. Housing of animals subject to a holding period.

A. An enclosure or portion thereof used to house an animal subject to a holding period shall be entirely constructed of materials that are durable, nonporous, impervious to moisture, and able to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

B. An enclosure or portion thereof used to house an animal subject to a holding period that is part of the structural integrity of the building shall have a surface material that is durable, nonporous, impervious to moisture, and able to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

C. All structures contained within an enclosure or portion thereof shall be constructed of materials that are durable, nonporous, impervious to moisture, and able to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected unless discarded or laundered daily.

D. An enclosure and all structures therein used to house an animal subject to a holding period shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before use by a different animal.  

FORMS (2VAC5-111)

Animal Facility Inspection Report, VDACS AC-10 (rev. 7/2015)

[ Animal Facility Inspection Form - Shelter, VDACS AC-10-A (rev. 11/2014)

Animal Facility Inspection Form - Shelter, VDACS AC-10-A (eff. 3/2016) ]

Animal Facility Inspection Form – Animal Care, VDACS AC-10-B (rev. 7/2015)

Animal Facility Inspection Form – Operations, VDACS AC-10-C (rev. 7/2015)