Okla. Admin. Code § 532:15-5-4

Current through Vol. 42, No. 4, November 1, 2024

Section 532:15-5-4 - Primary enclosures used to transport live pets

(a)Construction of primary enclosures. Each pet must be contained in a primary enclosure such as a compartment, transport cage, or crate while being transported. Primary enclosures used to transport pet shall be constructed so that:

(1) The primary enclosure is strong enough to contain the pet securely and comfortably and to withstand the normal rigors of transportation;

(2) The interior of the primary enclosure has no sharp points or edges and no protrusions that could injure the pet contained in it;

(3) The pet is at all times securely contained within the enclosure and cannot put any part of its body outside the enclosure in a way that could result in injury to itself, to handlers, or to persons or animal nearby;

(4) The pet can be easily and quickly removed from the enclosure in an emergency;

(5) Unless the enclosure is permanently affixed to the conveyance, the enclosure must have devices such as handles or handholds on its exterior that enable persons to lift, manipulate, and move the enclosure without tilting it, and ensure that persons handling the enclosure will not come into physical contact with the pet contained inside;

(6) Unless the enclosure is permanently affixed to the conveyance, the commercial pet breeder shall clearly mark the primary enclosure on top and on one or more sides with the words "Live Animals," in letters at least 1 inch (2.5 cm.) high, and with arrows or other markings to indicate the correct upright position of the primary enclosure;

(7) Any material, treatment, paint, preservative, or other chemical used in or on the enclosure must be nontoxic to the pet and not harmful to the health or well-being of the pet;

(8) The pet contained inside receives proper ventilation;

(9) The primary enclosure has a solid, leak-proof bottom or a removable, leak-proof collection tray under a slatted or mesh floor that prevents seepage of waste products, such as excreta and body fluids, outside of the enclosure. If a slatted or mesh floor is used in the enclosure, it must be designed and constructed so that the pet cannot fit or place any part of its body between the slats or through the holes in the mesh. Unless the pets are on raised slatted floors or raised floors made of mesh, the primary enclosure must contain enough previously unused litter to absorb and cover excreta. The litter must be of a suitably absorbent material that is safe and nontoxic to pets;

(10) The primary enclosure must not allow for excreta or other wastes to fall on other pets, including that enclosures may not be stacked if the enclosures permit wastes or excreta to fall through the enclosure.

(b)Size. Primary enclosures used to transport live pets must be large enough to ensure that each pet contained in the primary enclosure has enough space to turn about normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position.

(c)Cleaning of primary enclosures. A primary enclosure used to hold or transport pets in commerce must be cleaned and sanitized before each use. If the dogs or cats are in transit for more than 24 hours, the commercial pet breeder shall clean the primary enclosure, replace all litters, and use other methods, such as moving the pets to another enclosure, to prevent the soiling of the pets by body wastes. If it becomes necessary to remove the pet from the enclosure in order to clean, or to move the pet to another enclosure, this procedure must be completed in a way that safeguards the pet from injury and prevents escape.

(d)Ventilation.

(1) Unless the primary enclosure is permanently affixed to the conveyance, the primary enclosure shall have:

(A) At least one-third of the ventilation area located on the upper half of the primary enclosure; and

(B) At least one of the following:

(i) Ventilation openings located on two opposing walls of the primary enclosure and the openings must be at least 16 percent of the surface area of each such wall, and the total combined surface area of the ventilation openings must be at least 14 percent of the total combined surface area of all the walls of the primary enclosure; or

(ii) Ventilation openings on three walls of the primary enclosure, and the openings on each of the two opposing walls must be at least 8 percent of the total surface area of the two walls, and the ventilation openings on the third wall of the primary enclosure must be at least 50 percent of the total surface area of that wall, and the total combined surface area of the ventilation openings must be at least 14 percent of the total combined surface area of all the walls of the primary enclosure; or

(iii) Ventilation openings located on all four walls of the primary enclosure and the ventilation openings on each of the four walls must be at least 8 percent of the total surface area of each such wall, and the total combined surface area of the openings must be at least 14 percent of total combined surface area of all the walls of the primary enclosure.

(2) If a primary enclosure is permanently affixed to the primary conveyance so that there is only a front ventilation opening for the enclosure, the primary enclosure must be affixed to the primary conveyance in such a way that the front ventilation opening cannot be blocked, and the front ventilation opening must open directly to an unobstructed aisle or passageway inside the conveyance. The ventilation opening must be at least 90 percent of the total area of the front wall of the enclosure, and must be covered with bars, wire mesh, or smooth expanded metal having air spaces.

(e)Sharing of primary enclosures. Commercial pet breeders shall transport in the same primary enclosure no more than one animal 6 months of age or older; one live puppy, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, and weighing over 20 lbs; or two live puppies or kittens up to 6 months of age, that are of comparable size, and weighing 20 lbs or less each. Commercial pet breeders shall not transport puppies or kittens 4 months of age or less in the same primary enclosure with adult animals other than their dams. Commercial pet breeders may only transport in the same primary enclosure compatible pets of the same species.

(f)Placement. Primary enclosures used to transport pets must be positioned in the primary conveyance so as to allow pets access to sufficient air for normal breathing at all times, and provide protection from the elements, including that pets shall not be wetted by precipitation when windows, doors, or other openings of animal holding or transportation areas are open. The openings of primary enclosures must be accessible at all times for emergency removal of the pets.

(g)Accompanying documents and records. Shipping documents that must accompany shipments of pets must either be held by the operator of the primary conveyance, for surface transportation only, or must be securely attached in a readily accessible manner to the outside of any primary enclosure that is part of the shipment, in a manner that allows them to be detached for examination and securely reattached, such as in a pocket or sleeve. Instructions for administration of drugs, medication, and other special care must be attached to each primary enclosure in a manner that makes them easy to notice, to detach for examination, and to reattach securely. The certification of pet condition required by of these Rules must be affixed to the primary enclosure. Shipping documents shall state the number and species of animals being transported.

(h)Litterbox. If the trip is 6 hours or more in length, a litterbox shall be provided within each crate for cats. The litterbox shall not cover more than 50% of the crate floor, and the remaining space must be large enough for the cat to stand, lie down, and turn around.

Okla. Admin. Code § 532:15-5-4

Added at 28 Ok Reg 2306, eff 7-25-11