(A) Purpose. The intent of this section is to prevent and reduce the transmission of diseases from animals, particularly dogs and cats, to preserve the peace, and to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the town by establishing rules and regulations over all kennel and private animal shelter operations within the town.
(B) Licensing requirements; exemptions. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate an animal shelter or a kennel without first procuring a license for such operation from the licensing officer of the town. Additionally, such person(s) must further provide proof of compliance with licensure requirements as applicable under the laws of the state, pursuant to 4 O.S. § 30.4, and as may be subsequently amended by the legislature of the state. All veterinary hospitals and nonprofit benevolent organizations dedicated to the care and protection of animals for humanitarian purposes shall be exempt from the payment of the animal shelter or kennel license fees unless the particular veterinary hospital or nonprofit benevolent organization maintains stud animals, or maintains five or more animals for breeding purposes. Additionally, all federal, state, and municipal facilities shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
(C) Revocation and suspension of license; penalties. In addition to any other penalties prescribed by ordinance, including, but not limited to, § 10.99, the town may revoke or suspend an animal shelter or kennel license for any violation of these regulations.
(D) Licensing fees. A person required to procure a license under this section shall pay a license fee to the town. A schedule of fees is hereby levied for the licensing of animal shelters and kennels in the amounts established by the Board of Trustees by resolution.
(E) Submission and contents of plans and specifications; fee. In addition to any other requirements of this section, detailed plans and specifications shall be submitted to the town to construct or remodel any animal shelter or kennel. Written approval of plans and specifications must be obtained from the town prior to any construction or remodeling. Any plans and specifications for animal shelters or kennels shall comply with this section and must include descriptions of the proposed ventilation system, plumbing equipment, and finishes of floors, walls, and ceilings. The person submitting plans and specifications for review shall pay to the town an amount established by the Board of Trustees by resolution.
(F) Physical facilities of animal shelters and kennels.
(1) Separation of certain areas. Animal housing areas must be physically separated from areas in which food and/or drink for human consumption is prepared, served, or stored, and from any living and/or sleeping areas of animal shelter or kennel personnel.
(2) Interior building surfaces. Interior building surfaces shall be constructed and maintained so that they are impervious to moisture and may be readily cleaned.
(3) Electric power. Reliable and adequate electric power shall be provided at all times. Electrical wiring must meet all nationally and federally recognized electrical safety requirements.
(4) Water. Adequate potable water shall be provided. Back flow preventers shall be installed on any threaded faucets.
(5) Heating. Indoor housing for domestic animals shall be sufficiently heated when necessary to protect pet animals from cold, and to provide for their health and comfort. The ambient temperature shall be made consistent with the requirements of the particular species.
(6) Ventilation. Indoor housing of animals shall be adequately ventilated with fresh air to minimize odors and moisture, and to provide for the health and comfort of the animals at all times. Auxiliary ventilation, such as exhaust fans and vents or air conditioning, shall be provided when the ambient temperature is 85°F or higher.
(7) Lighting. Adequate lighting must be provided a minimum of eight hours per day. Such lighting shall provide a minimum of 25 foot candles of illumination for 30 inches above floor level and must be uniformly distributed. Enclosures must be positioned to protect animals from excessive illumination.
(8) Drainage. A suitable method shall be provided to rapidly eliminate excess water from animal housing facilities. If drains are used, they shall be properly constructed and kept in good repair. If closed drainage systems are used, wastewater shall be disposed of by connection to a sanitary sewer or any approved sewage disposal system.
(G) Primary enclosure standards.
(1) Generally. All enclosures shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury, to contain them, and to prevent vermin from entering. They shall be constructed and maintained to enable the animals to remain dry and clean, and to provide convenient access to clean food and water.
(2) Flooring. The floors of the enclosures shall be constructed to prevent injury to animals’ feet and legs. Enclosures for dogs and cats may have wire flooring; provided, however, that:
(a) The wire is of adequate gauge to prevent sagging under the weight of the animals; and
(b) The wire mesh is small enough to prevent their feet from falling through the mesh.
(3) Space requirements. Enclosures must be constructed to provide sufficient space to allow each animal to exercise normal postural movements.
(4) Additional requirement for cats. A receptacle containing sufficient clean litter shall be provided to contain organic wastes.
(5) Exercise areas. One run must be provided for every eight primary enclosures. The run must be of sufficient size to allow an animal to break into a run. At least two exercise periods per day of 20 minutes each shall be provided.
(H) Sanitation.
(1) Cleaning of animal enclosures. Animal waste shall be removed from enclosures daily and/or as often as may be necessary to prevent contamination of the animals, and to reduce disease hazards and odors. Cages shall be cleaned as often as may be necessary to maintain sanitary conditions by washing all surfaces with a detergent solution followed by a safe and effective sanitizer. Animals must be removed from the enclosures during the cleaning process, and precautions taken to avoid cross contamination.
(2) Equipment cleaning. Water and food containers, and all other utensils, shall be cleaned and sanitized using generally acceptable methods, such as the use of heat or chemical sanitizing solution. These containers shall be cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions.
(3) Waste disposal. Animal and food wastes, bedding, dead animals, debris, and other organic wastes shall be disposed of in a manner that ensures that vermin infestation, odors, disease hazards, and nuisances are minimized.
(4) Property, generally. The kennel property shall be kept clean, in good repair, and free of trash.
(5) Pest control. An effective program for the control of insects, ectoparasites, and avian and mammalian pests shall be maintained.
(6) Storage of food and supplies. Supplies of food and bedding shall be stored:
(a) Off the floor; or
(b) In waterproof, closed containers, and adequately protected against infestation or contamination by vermin.
(7) Dead animals. Animals that die at the facility shall be stored and disposed of in a manner that will not cause a disease hazard or nuisance.
(I) Food and water.
(1) Generally. All animals shall be fed at least once a day, and shall be provided potable water at all times except when under special veterinary care. The food and water shall be free from contamination, palatable, and of sufficient quality and nutritive value to meet the normal daily requirements for the condition and size of the animal. Refrigeration shall be provided for perishable food.
(2) Containers. Food and water containers shall be accessible to the animal and located to minimize contamination by excreta. These containers shall be cleaned daily. Self-feeders and self-waterers may be used if cleaned daily.
(J) Inspections of facilities; fee.
(1) Inspections, generally; fee. All kennels or animal shelters must be inspected by the town in compliance with applicable law prior to the issuance of a license under this section. The town, or its designated representatives, may make periodic inspections of all facilities licensed under this section, and may make re-inspections as necessary to achieve or maintain compliance with the requirements of this section. An inspection or re-inspection fee shall be paid to the town, and the amount of such fee shall be as established by the Board of Trustees by resolution.
(2) Exemptions. Federal, state, and municipal facilities shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
(K) Classification and separation of animals; restrictions. Animals housed in the same enclosure shall be maintained in compatible groups, with the following additional restrictions:
(1) Females. Females in heat shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with males, except for breeding purposes;
(2) Aggressive animals. Any aggressive animal shall be housed individually in an enclosure;
(3) Puppies or kittens. Puppies or kittens shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs or cats other than their dams, except when permanently maintained in breeding colonies;
(4) Dogs and cats. Dogs shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with cats, nor shall dogs or cats be housed in the same primary enclosure with any other species of animals; and
(5) Boarded animals. Boarded animals shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with those from another household, unless the owners have been informed of and consented in writing to that arrangement.
(L) Disposal of animals by animal shelters. All animal dispositions and euthanizations must be conducted in accordance with state law and in a humane manner.
(M) Vaccinations. Dogs and cats kept in animal shelters or kennels shall be vaccinated against rabies.
(N) Diseased animals.
(1) Quarantine. Animals under quarantine or treatment for a communicable disease shall be physically separated from other susceptible animals to minimize dissemination of disease. Such quarantine area should have a separate ventilation system. In breeding kennels, the town may require laboratory testing of a suitable number of animals or specimens to determine if such animals are disease free. The costs of the laboratory tests shall be the responsibility of the licensee. Quarantine will be lifted only through written release by the Health Department when it is determined a health risk no longer exists.
(2) Observation and separation. Animals shall be observed daily for signs of disease. An animal suspected of having an infectious disease shall be physically separated from other animals until the condition is determined to be noninfectious.
(3) Humane care. Sick or injured animals shall be provided with access to veterinary care.
(4) Disposal in a humane manner. Animals with untreatable diseases or injuries, or of an aggressive nature shall be disposed of in a humane manner.
(Ord. 4-107, passed 3-14-2022) Penalty, see § 91.999