(NAR) VOL. 26 NO. 2/ APRIL - JUNE 2015
3.1 | Animals as used in this administrative circular refer to dogs and cats. |
3.2 | Animal Shelter refers to a kennel facility that rehabilitates and rehomes, identified and neuter animals. |
3.3 | Euthanasia refers to the process of humane destruction of animal accomplished by a method that produces rapid unconsciousness and subsequent death without evidence of pain and distress |
3.4 | Identification refers to indelible permanent mark. |
3.5 | Indoor Pen refers to a completely enclosed area inside a pound/shelter building to be used for shelter by a sheltered animal. |
3.6 | Indoor Run refers to an area inside a completely enclosed pound/shelter to be used for shelter and exercise by the animals. |
3.7 | Outdoor Run refers to an area adjacent to a shelter building to be used for exercise by the animals. |
3.8 | Renovate refers to the change of size, construction or composition of pens, runs, fences, floors, heating system, water supply system, waste disposal system, or any other physical component of exiting shelter building which are governed by these regulations. |
3.9 | Sanitary refers to the health, with special reference to cleanliness and freedom from infective and deleterious influences. |
3.10 | Stray/roaming animal refers to any animal leaving its owner's place or premise and no longer under the effective control of the owner. |
4.1 Determining Site | |||
Site for the installation/construction of a shelter shall be in coordination with the local Planning and Development Office. | |||
4.2 Facility Design | |||
The designs of shelters shall provide an environment conducive to maintaining animal health. Facilities shall be appropriate to species, the number of animals receiving care and the expected length of stay in order to ensure physical and psychological well-being of the animals, and shall conform with the following requirements: | |||
4.2.1 | Space Allocation Requirement | ||
4.2.1.1 | Administration Office | ||
There shall be an office allocated for the shelter manager, visitors, registration of incoming and outgoing animals. | |||
4.2.1.2 | Employees’ Quarters | ||
There shall be an area allocated for the employees’ quarters with a restroom, kitchen, bathroom | |||
4.2.1.3 | Animal Areas | ||
There shall be separate enclosures housing cats and dogs. Ideally, animals shall be kept in large communal enclosures if the animals are compatible, provided they are not under quarantine, are not sick and are already neutered or placed in individual cages. | |||
4.2.1.4 | Quarantine Area | ||
All shelters shall have a designated Quarantine Area where newly rescued and admitted animals will be immediately placed upon arrival and kept for a minimum of fourteen days (14), or longer if prescribed by the Shelter Veterinarian (a veterinarian). The Quarantine Area shall be situated where there will be the least amount of foot traffic to avoid the spreading of communicable diseases. | |||
No contact between animals in quarantine or between quarantined animals and other animals at the shelter shall be allowed. Waste coming from each quarantined animal shall not be accessible to other animals, shall not come into contact with human foot traffic and shall lead straight into the drain. | |||
Disinfecting footbath or spray bottle containing broad- spectrum disinfectant shall be made available. | |||
4.2.1.5 | Treatment Area/Euthanasia Area | ||
It shall have a Treatment Area for shelter animals - away from the animals’ living areas and quarantine areas where sick or injured animals can be treated or where animals can be euthanized. | |||
The treatment area shall have a water source and an examination table. | |||
4.2.1.6 | Surgery Room | ||
There shall be a room specific for performing surgeries. | |||
4.2.2 | Provision of Shelter Pens and Runs | ||
4.2.2.1 | Common areas for animals in shelters shall be areas where only (1) neutered, (2) healthy and 3) rabies-vaccinated animals are kept. | ||
4.2.2.2 | Indoor and Outdoor runs shall measure not less than 1.83m (6 ft) wide, 3.05m (10 ft) long with fencing not less than 1.52m (5 ft) high. | ||
4.2.2.3 | Adjacent individual roofed pens shall measure at least 0.91m x 1.22m (3x4 feet) to accommodate one native/aspin-sized dog (or a dog under 13kgs) | ||
4.2.2.4 | Roofed pens for multiple animals shall measure at least 2.74m x 1.22m (9x4 feet) roofed pens which is good for a maximum of five (5) native-sized dogs (or dogs under 13 kgs) or 3 to 4 cats. | ||
4.2.3 | Floors and base of runs | ||
All shelters shall have smooth concrete floors, runs and troughs. | |||
Floors of roofed pens shall be sloped toward a drainage system which has been made inaccessible to dogs and cats by either covering or placement exterior to the run fencing. | |||
4.2.4 | Exemptions from Dog Runs | ||
Shelters for dogs rescued from dog fights shall be exempted from having a dog run. A prescribed rehabilitation program shall be provided. | |||
4.2.5 | Humidity and Ventilation | ||
The indoor portion of the shelter where animals are housed shall be ventilated in such a manner as to provide fresh air to maintain health and comfort of the animals. | |||
4.2.6 | Water Supply | ||
All shelter shall be supplied with a sufficient amount of running water for the purpose of maintaining proper sanitary conditions. The shelter shall also provide a sufficient and permanent supply of potable water for the animals. | |||
4.2.7 | Lighting | ||
Electrical lighting shall be provided in all shelters. | |||
4.2.8 | Drainage System | ||
The shelter shall have an open drainage at a width of 0.60m and a depth of 0.50m and floors shall slope towards a drain that is outside the animal living areas. A drain opening of not less than 20cm diameter is recommended and it shall be covered by a strainer grid. The provision of mains sewers, a septic tank is essential and built in accordance with the building code. |
5.4.1 | Any animal which appears sick or injured shall be given immediate medical treatment. | |
5.4.2 | All dogs and cats shall be vaccinated against rabies. | |
5.4.3 | All dogs and cats shall be neutered as soon as they are healthy enough to undergo surgery. | |
5.4.4 | All dogs and cats shall be routinely treated for ticks, fleas and worms. Neutered cats shall have an easily visible ear notch or tattoo, to avoid the risk of exposure to a second operation. | |
5.4.5 | Each dog and cat shall be identified by tattoo or microchip. |
5.8.1 | Cleaning Protocols | ||
All shelters shall implement protocols to inspect the facility thoroughly at least three times a day. | |||
5.8.1.1 | Disinfecting footbath or spray may be made available at the entrance of the facility. | ||
5.8.1.2 | A disinfectant capable of eliminating animal viruses and bacteria shall be used in washing down runs, pens and interior areas of the shelter. | ||
5.8.1.3 | Such disinfectants shall be used in a manner not harmful to animals. | ||
5.8.1.4 | Runs and pens shall be cleaned and disinfected before use by another animal. | ||
5.8.1.5 | Feces and other excreta shall be removed from pens, runs and roughs immediately. | ||
5.8.1.6 | Cleaning equipment shall be available for the proper storage or disposal of waste material to control vermin, insects and obnoxious odors. |
6.1 | All animals transported by animal control officers/shelter keepers shall be transported in an enclosed well ventilated vehicle. Vehicles used to transport animals shall be structurally sound and maintained in good condition to prevent injury to animals carried therein. |
6.2 | All animals shall be transported in the shortest practicable time. They shall not be kept inside parked vehicles under the sun or in hot weather without adequate ventilation and shade provided including water. The shelter vehicle especially designed or regularly used for transporting animals shall protect animals from injury, have non-slip floors, provide easy access and operator safety, protect against extremes of temperature, protect against unauthorized release of animals, protect against human harassment in public areas, easy to clean and disinfect, and supplied with clean, secure cages or carry baskets for cats or very small dogs and with separate compartments or partitions for larger dogs. Transport cages shall permit animals to turn around but otherwise be small enough to avoid trauma during transport. |
6.3 | The vehicle shall have appropriate ramp to allow dogs to disembark naturally and prevent them from jumping. |
6.4 | Transportation of all animals shall be in accordance with the DA – Administrative Order No. 19 s. 2006, “Rules and Regulations on the Transport of Live Animals by Land”. |
7.1 | Animals shall be captured, transported and restrained in most humane manner. No dragging, whipping, throwing, unnecessary lifting and pulling, by the neck, ears or the legs of the animal shall be done. The following shall be considered: | ||
7.2 | Selection Criteria for Personnel/Catching Team | ||
7.2.1 | A mature individual that shall have empathy and act humanely towards dogs and animals in general. | ||
7.2.2 | Shall have undergone training on humane handling of animals conducted by experts on the field. | ||
7.2.3 | Shall be courteous to the public. | ||
7.2.4 | Shall be appropriately dressed (uniform) and identifiable preferably in uniform with visible personal identification. | ||
7.2.5 | Catering team shall consist of at least 2 animal catchers and 1 driver. | ||
7.3 | Selection Criteria for Equipment | ||
7.3.1 | Pole Nets - used to capture moving animals without harming them, allows catching more than 2 dogs. Net shall be deep enough to be twisted to fully restrain the dog. | ||
7.3.2 | Loop Pole - allows restrain of dog while maintaining a safe distance. | ||
7.3.3 | Cage Trap - used for elusive dogs and cats. | ||
74 | Chemical Capture Through the Use of Tranquilizer or Anesthetics | ||
Chemical capture is used for the capture of wild animals and vicious animals. Only licensed veterinarians or veterinary technicians who have been trained in performing chemical capture shall perform this method. Recommended method of administration is by blow pipe or syringe mounted on pole. | |||
7.4.1 | The following chemicals are recommended for use in chemical capture: | ||
• | Tranquilizer: Acepromazine | ||
• | Anesthetics: Xylazine and Ketamine combination, Tiletamine | ||
7.5 | Lifting and Carrying of Dogs | ||
Personal safety is of primary concern. For vicious and elusive dogs, net pole or loop pole shall be used appropriately. |