Animal Care Requirements

Each Licensee shall ensure that: (1) Sufficient fresh food of a type consistent with the dietary requirements and age of the species is offered to each Animal daily, or at intervals commonly appropriate to the species and age of the Animal; (2) Sufficient fresh and clean water is available to each Animal at all times; (3) Bowls, dishes and other containers used for the feeding and watering of Animals are cleaned daily or more often if necessary to maintain them free from contamination by excrement, urine, or other matter; (4) Adequate staffing is present to ensure the general care and maintenance of the Animals on a daily basis; (5) Animals are provided with emergency and standard veterinary care in a timely manner by a Veterinarian or as prescribed by a Veterinarian consistent with a valid veterinary-client patient relationship, pursuant to the Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine regulations at 256 CMR 2.00: General Provisions. Emergency care shall be provided immediately. Non-emergency veterinary care shall be sought within 48 hours after discovery of the need; (6) If Animals are group housed, they are maintained in compatible groups without overcrowding; (7) No female dog, cat or rabbit in season is maintained in a cage, run, pen or other enclosure with a male dog, cat, or rabbit, other than for breeding purposes. Breeding activities for any species may not be within public view. (8) Food and water containers for birds are designed to permit easy access to the contents. Each food and water container shall be either designed or located within the cage in a manner that serves to minimize contamination from excrement; (9) The Animals are kept clean and dry unless species-specific requirements dictate an aquatic or semiaquatic environment. Each Animal that requires a semiaquatic environment shall be maintained in an environment that contains both aquatic and terrestrial features. Each feature shall be of sufficient size and space to permit the Animal the option of submerging or soaking in clean water or remaining completely dry; (10) Euthanasia shall be performed in accordance with current American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines and as specified in 330 CMR 12.04(10)(a) and (b): (a) Euthanasia for Dogs and Cats shall be performed by a Veterinarian or by an individual trained in humane euthanasia and operating under the direction and supervision of a Veterinarian. Other methods of euthanasia may be deemed acceptable for other species in accordance with the American Veterinary Medical Association's Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. (b) The Pet Shop shall record the date of euthanasia, the methods used, and the reasons for euthanasia, and the name of the individual who performed the procedure. A copy of these records shall be maintained in accordance with 330 CMR 12.09. (11) All dogs, cats and birds shall have some form of Official Identification which correlates to the Individual Animal Record described in 330 CMR 12.09(2). The identification may be a collar, microchip, leg band, or other unique identification as defined in 330 CMR 12.01. (12) In addition to the requirements of M.G.L. c. 129, § 28, if an Animal is found to have a Zoonotic Disease, the Licensee shall promptly notify its Veterinarian. The Veterinarian may notify the Department and request recommendations relative to protective clothing, equipment, and procedures necessary to protect human and animal health. The Department will consult with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health or other appropriate resources as it deems necessary.