New Regulation FAQ

• Do these new regulations apply to a licensed veterinary facility?

  Vet Clinics operating as a pound or shelter are exempt from our inspections and are not required to be licensed by the Animal Facility Inspection Program.  However, if a licensed veterinary clinic chooses to license a section of their clinic as a shelter or rescue, then the regulations would apply.

• For the exercise requirement, what is the formula for the space required?

  Additional requirements for cats.

  The licensee shall provide the following minimum vertical space and floor space for each cat that is housed in the primary enclosure, including any weaned kitten:

  Each primary enclosure housing cats shall be at least 24 inches (60.96 centimeters) high.

  Each cat weighing not more than 8.8 pounds (4 kilograms) shall be provided with at least 3.0 square feet (0.28 square meters) of floor space.

  Each cat weighing more than 8.8 pounds (4 kilograms) shall be provided with at least four square feet (0.37 square meters) of floor space.

  Each queen with nursing kittens shall be provided with an additional amount of floor space, based on her breed and behavioral characteristics and in accordance with generally accepted husbandry practices.

  The minimum floor space required by this subsection shall not include any space occupied by food or water pans. The litter pan may be considered part of the floor space if the pan is cleaned and sanitized.

  Litter. The licensee shall provide a receptacle in each primary enclosure that contains sufficient clean litter to contain excreta and other body wastes.

  Resting surfaces. Each primary enclosure housing cats shall contain one or more elevated resting surfaces that, when added together, are large enough to hold simultaneously all the occupants of the primary enclosure comfortably. Low resting surfaces that do not allow the space under them to be comfortably occupied by the animal shall be counted as part of the floor space.

   

  Additional requirements for dogs.

  The licensee shall provide a minimum amount of floor space for each dog housed in the primary enclosure, including each weaned puppy housed in a primary enclosure, using the following calculation: the length of the dog or puppy from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail in inches plus six inches, squared, and then divided by 144, shall equal the required minimum floor space in square feet.  The licensee shall provide each bitch that has nursing puppies with an additional amount of floor space, based upon the dog's breed and behavioral characteristics and in accordance with generally accepted husbandry practices, as determined by the attending veterinarian.

  The interior height of a primary enclosure shall be at least six inches higher than the head of the tallest dog in the primary enclosure in a normal standing position.

• Is there a minimum exercise clause to the exercise plan?

  There is no minimum exercise statement within the regulation.  However, exercise opportunity must be provided by housing animals in groups with 100 percent of the required floor space, or housing animals individually with twice the minimum required floor space, and lastly providing access to an area at the frequency prescribed by the attending veterinarian.

   

• Are there specific requirements shelters or rescue networks need to be inspecting for the foster homes?

  Training opportunities will be available on or website starting Jan. 1, 2017.  There will be slides discussing the applicable housekeeping, sanitation, and husbandry standards.  In addition, there will be inspection forms available on the website for sponsoring shelters to complete.

• Do foster homes require an exercise plan?

  Yes, a foster home is required to have an exercise plan.

• Are the regulations inclusive to city facilities for stray animals?

   Yes, all of the new applicable regulations include city facilities (shelter or pound) for stray animals.

• What if a shelter cannot determine the exact age of a puppy or kitten?

  If a shelter is unable to determine the exact age or birth date of a puppy or kitten, then for the purposes of this regulation, weight and other factors may be used to approximate the age of an animal of unknown age. A licensee shall not sell, exchange, or adopt any animal if the animal is at an age at which doing so would be detrimental to the animal’s health or well-being.
  

   

• If we only have an outdoor kennel for our city pound, are we now required to provide air conditioning?

  No, the regulations only discuss temperature requirements for indoor and sheltered facilities only.

• Is there a difference in temperature regulations for cats and dogs in a shelter environment?

  No, the temperature requirements are the same for a cat and a dog.

• Are there any grace periods to get in compliance with the new regulations based on financial constraints?

  The AFI program will continue to work with licensees during the implementation process of these new regulations.  Any facility that may have non-compliant areas within their facility due to the new requirements will be assessed on a case per case bases.  A plan will be discussed and reviewed by the director to determine a date in which the facility will have to comply.

• How does a shelter or rescue network report the offsite adoption events?

  You need to login to your Kelly Solutions account to report your offsite adoption event. The shelter has to report the mobile adoption location and date within 5 business days prior to the event.

• How many fire extinguishers should you have in your building?

  The Kansas Pet Animal Act does not require fire extinguishers, but they are recommended in facilities for safety measures.  

• How long will facilities be given to have the contingency plan and the exercise plan in place?

  June 1, 2018

• In the case of animals that pose a threat, is there an exception to exercise if the only way is to interact with the animal by staff?

  Keep in mind, if the animal is housed individually and it is in an enclosure that is twice the required floor space, then you do not have to physically walk the animal or turn the animal in an exercise area.   If the animal poses a threat to itself due to the required space, and needs to be in a more confined space for safety.  We would require a statement from a veterinarian in writing as to why the animal should not be provided exercise.

• Are shelters required to exercise dangerous animals such as bite watches or cats?

  Keep in mind, if the animal is housed individually and it is in an enclosure that is twice the required floor space, then you do not have to physically walk the animal or turn the animal in an exercise area.   If the animal poses a threat to itself due to the required space, and needs to be in a more confined space for safety.  We would require a statement from a veterinarian in writing as to why the animal should not be provided exercise.

   

• Are boarding facilities required to have a picture and description of each animal on file?

  A picture of each animal is not required but recommended.  A description of each animal is required stating the animals age, size, color markings, sex, species, and breed.

• Is the care giver (foster) of an adopted animal responsible for the spay/neuter verification or is it the shelters responsibility?

  It is the responsibility of the shelter or rescue network manager.

• What are the identification requirements?

  Animals age, size, color markings, sex, species, and breed. 

• For evacuation purposes can I relocate animals to another facility in MO and vice versa?

  As far as the contingency plan regulation is concerned, there is no stipulation on where you can evacuate animals to. That said, you can move the animals to locations out of state for emergency purposes, but you need to check with the state of Missouri prior to moving these animals to determine if it is allowed without health certificates due to the emergency situation. The same will go for animals coming into Kansas we need to be notified of this emergency and a decision can be made to determine whether or not Health Certificates are warranted for them to come into the state due to such emergency.