Md. Code Regs. 15.01.11.04

Current through Register Vol. 52, No. 1, January 10, 2025

Section 15.01.11.04 - Primary Animal Enclosures

A. The responsible individual shall ensure that any primary animal enclosure is structurally sound and maintained in a safe, working condition at all times; and that it enables animals to remain dry, clean, and shielded from extreme temperatures and weather conditions.

B. A primary animal enclosure shall meet the following standards:

(1) A primary animal enclosure shall provide sufficient space to allow each animal, regardless of size, to:

(a) Hold their tails erect and their heads high when in a normal standing position;

(b) Turn freely and easily stand, sit, stretch, and move their head, without touching the top of the enclosure;

(c) Lie in a resting position with limbs extended; and

(d) Move about and assume a comfortable posture for feeding, drinking, urinating, or defecating;

(2) Food, water bowls, and any other items in the primary animal enclosure may not impede the animal's ability to stretch out;

(3) A primary enclosure shall allow any animal to sit, sleep, and eat away from areas of its enclosure where it may defecate or urinate;

(4) Latches or other closing devices on a primary animal enclosure shall be secure enough to keep the animal in the enclosure, keep other animals out of the enclosure, and prevent injury, while allowing personnel to easily open the enclosure from the outside and, where applicable, from inside the enclosure;

(5) A primary enclosure, temporary enclosure, and transport carriers that compromise the safety of animals or that have been identified as needing repair are prohibited from being used for permanent or temporary animal housing;

(6) Transport carriers may not be used as a primary enclosure;

(7) All animals housed in outdoor areas, or allowed exercise time in outdoor areas, shall be provided with appropriate shelter from the elements; and

(8) Drop boxes are prohibited except under the following conditions:

(a) Each drop box shall have automatic locking doors that allow only one animal drop-off to be made at each box;

(b) Bedding and shelter from the weather shall be provided in each drop box, and bedding shall be fully cleaned before and after every use;

(c) Fresh food and water shall be provided in each drop box every night, and food bowls and water bowls must be fully cleaned before and after every use;

(d) Security cameras shall be installed and periodically monitored by staff;

(e) The shelter shall have written protocols in place to ensure that dropped off animals that appear to need medical treatment are examined by a veterinarian immediately; and

(f) An animal may not remain in a drop box for more than 12 hours.

Md. Code Regs. 15.01.11.04

Regulation .04 adopted effective 45:8 Md. R. 419, eff. 4/23/2018