Section 250-RICR-40-05-4.7 - General StandardsA. General Standards applicable for all species. Additional species-specific standards are addressed in § 4.8 of this Part below.B. The temperature within the animal's living quarters must be maintained so as to ensure that individual, warm-blooded animals will remain thermo-neutral and comfortable. Cold-blooded animals must be provided with a temperature gradient to allow for proper thermoregulation of the particular species.C. The ventilation within the animal's living quarters must be maintained so as to ensure that odors, ammonia, and moisture are kept within levels that will be comfortable and not harmful to the animals living in and people working in the facility. Adequacy of ventilation may be determined subjectively by inspectors or objectively by calculation or other qualitative air quality measurement as appropriate.D. The drainage within the animal's living quarters must be maintained so as to ensure that there is no standing water or pooling of urine within any animal enclosure.E. The sanitation within the animal's living quarters must be maintained so as to ensure a clean and healthy environment for animals and for personnel. Surfaces must be constructed and maintained in a manner that allows for sufficient cleaning and sanitation as to prevent disease. All animal contact surfaces must be non-porous or be easily disposed of if contaminated or soiled.F. The lighting within the animal's living quarters must be maintained so as to ensure a safe working environment for personnel and allow for adequate inspection of all animals. Lighting must also include attention to species requirements for normal photoperiod and spectrum requirements to ensure the health of the individual species.G. The minimum space requirements within the animal's living quarters must be maintained so as to provide minimum areas for animals to be able to make normal postural adjustments, maintain comfort, and exhibit normal behavior.H. The construction and maintenance of facility of the animal's living quarters must account the animals' safety as well as the safety of personnel, including assurances that the facility is escape proof.I. All animals' living quarters must be maintained such that the animals are maintained free of obvious signs of infectious/contagious diseases, injury, or other conditions detrimental to their health and well-being. A veterinarian must be consulted for any animal with signs that are potentially afflicted with an infectious/contagious disease, or is injured, or is afflicted with another condition that is detrimental to its health and well-being. Such consultation must occur within a timeframe where the afflicted animal's condition will not worsen and/or the animal will not unduly suffer. Proof of all vaccinations as required by R.I. Gen. Laws must be maintained on premises for review.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-4.7
Amended effective 1/30/2020
Amended effective 4/24/2023