16 Del. Admin. Code § 4501-8.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 7, January 1, 2025

Section 4501-8.0 - Shelter Care and Treatment

8.1 Animal shelters shall follow written veterinary care protocols developed with a licensed veterinarian, to include: evaluation and testing of newly impounded animals, disease control and prevention, and adequate veterinary care. In addition, animal shelters shall have a protocol for behavioral enrichment. Protocols shall take into consideration any species of animal for which the shelter provides care. These protocols shall be updated annually, approved by their advising veterinarian, available on site at all times, and with copies provided to the Department of Health and Social Services ("Department") upon request.

8.2 Animal shelters shall vaccinate all dogs against canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, and bordetella bronchiseptica, and all cats against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and the panleukopenia virus before or upon entering the shelter or holding facility to reduce the spread of disease.

8.3 Vaccines should be administered as soon as possible, but no more than 8 hours after entering the shelter. For animals admitted overnight, such vaccines shall be given no later than noon. This provision shall not apply to animals in quarantine for rabies observation, or to animals having injuries, illness, or temperament that make administration of the vaccinations unsafe. If vaccines are not given to an animal due to 1 of these exceptions, the reason must be explained and well documented. The animal must be reassessed within a reasonable amount of time based on the condition. Vaccines shall be given as soon as safe to do so and be administered by a licensed veterinarian, veterinary technician, or trained shelter personnel under the direction of a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or animal care manager.

8.4 Each animal entering an animal shelter shall be evaluated at intake to check for signs of infectious disease or an injury or illness requiring emergency medical care. A full examination shall be performed within 48 hours of entry and prior to adoption. The examination must be performed by a licensed veterinarian, veterinary technician, or shelter personnel with knowledge and training in animal health assessment under the direction of a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or animal care manager. In rare circumstances where handling of an animal may be unsafe, the examination may be done visually with the reason for a visual examination clearly documented. Written examination findings must be kept in the animal's record and a copy provided to the Department upon request.

8.4.1 An examination shall include a minimum of the following information.

8.4.1.1 ID Check;

8.4.1.2 Weight;

8.4.1.3 Body condition score;

8.4.1.4 Check for external parasites;

8.4.1.5 Infectious/non-infectious disease status;

8.4.1.6 Any signs of injury or illness;

8.4.1.7 Treatment or vaccines given, dosage and provider; and

8.4.1.8 Behavior of the animal.

8.4.2 Animals in the shelter's custody for 1 year or more shall receive an examination by a veterinarian every 12 months.

8.5 Animals in isolation or quarantine shall not be in areas accessible by the public. Enclosures of animals with suspected contagious disease must be clearly marked to indicate the condition and any necessary precautions. Isolation and quarantine areas must be separated by species and meet the medical and behavioral needs of sick animals.

8.6 This section applies to all animals in the organization's custody whether at the shelter, in foster care, or a satellite location.

16 Del. Admin. Code § 4501-8.0

27 DE Reg. 530( 1/1/2024) (Final)