Section 18 AAC 36.500 - General care standards(a) Determinations regarding whether the animal care standards set out in 18 AAC 36.500 - 18 AAC 36.540 are met must take into account the age, breed, type, size, physiologic condition, production level, stage of development, daily maintenance requirements necessary for that particular animal, and environmental conditions. (b) Animals with body conditions lower than standards may be permitted for a reasonable period of time if stage or level of production, physiologic conditions, or other factors result in that appearance, during which time the animal's management is being altered to improve the condition. For purposes of assessing body condition under this subsection, "a reasonable period of time" means the amount of time it would be expected to take to restore an animal to an acceptable condition, using diligent efforts to do so.(c) An animal may not be deprived of food or water for 24 consecutive hours, except that (1) an animal being transported may not be deprived of food or water for 28 consecutive hours;(2) day-old poultry may be transported without food and water, if (A) the poultry is delivered not later than 72 hours after hatching; and (B) food and water are provided immediately following unloading; and (3) food may be kept from adult poultry during an induced molt for no longer than 14 days; mortality and body weight loss must be monitored daily throughout the molt; feed must be returned if the average weight loss exceeds 30 percent of pre-molt weight or if mortality increases.(d) Sick or injured animals shall be promptly treated utilizing available medical care or humanely euthanized.(e) Animals must be transported or housed in an area with adequate drainage and sanitation to prevent excessive buildup of feces, urine, or water. In this subsection, "excessive" means adequate to cause visible skin, fool, or hoof disease.(f) When necessary, euthanasia must be administered in a humane manner that conforms to the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition, adopted by reference. In cases where gunshot is the only practical euthanasia method to prevent possible human exposure to rabies, and preserving the brain is necessary for laboratory testing, the gunshot may be to the heart area rather than the head.(g) Nothing in 18 AAC 36.500 - 18 AAC 36.540 prohibits an owner from providing medical care and treatment to the owner's own animals if the medical care and treatment are performed in a sanitary manner, in a way that minimizes pain, and in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws.(h) Nothing in 18 AAC 36.500 - 18 AAC 36.540 prohibits de-horning or disbudding, removing extra teats, tail docking, tattooing, branding, castrating, or other routine animal husbandry practices if they are performed in a sanitary manner and in a way that minimizes pain.(i) A person may not cause, sponsor, arrange, hold, or encourage an animal to fight, menace, or injure another animal for the purpose of sport, amusement, or pecuniary gain. Click here to view image
Eff. 3/24/2017,Register 221, April 2017; am 8/7/2021, Register 239, October 2021The Guidelines for the Euthenosion of Animals 2020, adopted by reference in 18 AAC 36.050 is available from the Department of Environmental Constitution, Office Of the State Veterinarian in Anchorage Copies may be obtained from the American American Veternary Medical Association(AVMA) at https:www.avma.org/KB/Policio/Documents/enthunasia.pdf
Authority:AS 03.05.011
AS 03.55.100
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