02 NCAC 52J .0202          INDOOR FACILITIES

(a)  Heating and cooling of indoor facilities:

(1)           indoor facilities for dogs and cats shall be adequately heated and cooled to protect the dogs and cats from cold and heat and provide for their health and comfort;

(2)           the ambient temperature shall not be allowed to fall below 50 degrees F or exceed 85 degrees F; and

(3)           special provisions shall be provided to any animal that cannot maintain its normal body temperature. These special provisions shall be sufficient for the animal to maintain its normal body temperature and shall be documented in the animal's record.

(b)  Ventilation of indoor facilities:

(1)           indoor housing facilities for dogs and cats shall be adequately ventilated to provide for the health and comfort of the animals at all times; the facilities shall be provided with fresh air either by means of windows, doors, vents and/or air conditioning and shall be ventilated so as to minimize drafts;

(2)           air vents and/or air filters shall be cleaned and/or changed as often as necessary to minimize buildup of debris, dust and biological material and as often as necessary to prevent inhibition or restriction of air flow; and

(3)           air flow shall be adequate to minimize odors and moisture condensation.

(c)  Indoor housing facilities for dogs and cats shall have sufficient illumination to permit routine inspections, maintenance, cleaning and housekeeping of the facility and observation of the animals. Illumination shall provide regular diurnal lighting cycles of either natural or artificial light, uniformly diffused throughout the animal facilities.

(d)  Interior building surfaces of indoor facilities with which animals come in contact shall be constructed and maintained so that they are impervious to moisture and can be readily sanitized.

(e)  Drainage of indoor housing facility:

(1)           a suitable method of drainage shall be provided to rapidly eliminate excess water from an indoor housing facility;

(2)           if closed drain systems are used, they shall be equipped with traps and installed to prevent odors and backup of sewage; and

(3)           the drainage system shall be constructed with barriers adequate to protect the animals from cross-contamination with urine and fecal material from animals housed in adjacent and/or nearby enclosures and/or exercise areas.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 19A-24; 19A-30(3);

Eff. April 1, 1984;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.