02 NCAC 52J .0207          SANITATION

(a)  Waste shall be removed from primary enclosures, exercise areas and common areas to prevent contamination of the dogs or cats contained therein and to reduce disease hazards and odors. Enclosures and exercise areas for dogs and cats shall be properly cleaned a minimum of two times per day. The animal must be able to walk or lie down without coming in contact with any waste or debris.

(b)  When a hosing or flushing method is used for cleaning an enclosure, dogs or cats contained therein shall be removed during the cleaning process, and adequate measures shall be taken to protect the animals in clean enclosures from being contaminated with water and other wastes.

(c)  Cross contamination barriers shall be in place in primary enclosures and be sufficient to prevent feces, urine and cleaning waste water from entering another occupied primary enclosure.

(d)  Sanitation shall be as follows:

(1)           prior to the introduction of dogs or cats into empty primary enclosures previously occupied, enclosures and accessories shall be sanitized in the manner provided in Subparagraph (d)(3) of this Rule;

(2)           in addition to primary enclosures being properly cleaned a minimum of two times per day, enclosures and accessories shall be sanitized a minimum of once every seven days in the manner provided in Subparagraph (d)(3) of this Rule if the same animal is housed in the same enclosure for seven or more days;

(3)           primary enclosures, cages, rooms, hard‑surfaced or artificial turf exercise areas, pens, and runs shall be sanitized by:

(A)          washing them with hot water (180 degrees F.) and soap or detergent as in a mechanical cage washer; or

(B)          removal of visible organic matter, precleaning all soiled surfaces with a detergent or degreaser solution, followed by the application, at the correct concentration, of an animal-safe disinfectant labeled to be effective against common pathogens. The disinfectant is to be left on the surfaces for the time indicated by the manufacturer. After such time, all surfaces shall be thoroughly rinsed to remove all residual chemicals and then the area dried prior to returning the animal(s) to this area; or

(C)          cleaning all soiled surfaces with live steam. The area is to be cooled and dried prior to the return of the animal(s).

(4)           common areas, any area accessible to multiple animals and exercise areas not covered by 02 NCAC 52J .0207(d)(3) shall be kept clean and sanitary. These areas are to be properly cleaned a minimum of two times per day. Hard and/or impervious surfaces of these areas shall be sanitized a minimum of once every seven days in the manner provided in Subparagraph (d)(3) of this Rule;

(5)           food and water receptacles shall be sanitized daily with hot water, detergent, and disinfectant. The disinfectant shall be used consistent with the manufacturer's directions;

(6)           soiled linens and cloth products shall be mechanically washed with detergent and sanitized;

(7)           any area accessible to multiple animals shall be kept clean and sanitary; and

(8)           fans, including floor fans, ceiling fans, wall fans, vent fans, etc. shall be kept clean of accumulated debris, dust and biological material.

(e)  Premises (buildings and grounds) shall be kept clean and in good repair in order to protect the animals from injury and to facilitate the prescribed husbandry practices set forth in this Rule. Premises shall remain free of accumulations of trash, junk, waste products, and discarded matter. Weeds, grasses, and bushes must be controlled so as to facilitate cleaning of the premises and to improve pest control, and to protect the health and well-being of the animals.

(f)  An effective program for the control of insects, ectoparasites, and avian and mammalian pests shall be established and maintained.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 19A-24;

Eff. April 1, 1984;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2005; April 1, 1985;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.