Example County Regulations (Clark County Washington)

DRAFT Information to be provided to the WA Department of Health for State Guidelines DRAFT

EXOTIC/WILD ANIMAL TASK COMMITTEE

This committee represents the responsible residents of Washington and Oregon who own exotic/wild felines as companion animals. They may be breeders or dealers, or may exhibit these felines for educational purposes.

Our goal is to assist animal control in establishing realistic ordinances and enforcement protocol. The proposed changes in (Clark County) Section 8.07.300 are addressed by this committee to provide clarity for all parties, and ultimately to protect the health and welfare of these unique animals, as well as the public.

Our mutual goal is to provide County Ordinances or State Guidelines that benefit and protect the well being of these animals and the public, and to preserve the privilege of private ownership.

Prepared by Exotic Feline Education Society
PNW Exotics
Clark County Ordinance 8.07.300 Exotic/Wild Animal Facility License

It is unlawful for any person to bring into the county, or to keep or harbor within the county, any exotic, venomous, or wild animal as defined in section 8.01.020 unless a license to do so is obtained within 30 days from either the animal control department, USDA, or USDI. Wild animal license applications shall contain a description of the place where the wild animal, or animals are to be temporarily or permanently quartered. If it appears from an inspection by the animal control department that such quarters are of a size large enough to comfortably contain the animals and sufficiently secure that the animals to be kept therein will not escape, and the owner/custodian provides humane care for the animal(s) pursuant to 8.11.070, and has in place a Veterinary Care Program specific to the exotic/wild animal being held, the department shall issue to the applicant meeting this criteria, an exotic/wild animal facility license upon payment of an annual facility fee of one hundred dollars ($100). The quarters wherein such animals are kept shall be subject to inspection upon reasonable notice. If such animal escapes, or if it appears from such inspection or otherwise that such animal might escape, an order may be given by the department that such quarters be repaired or improved in a manner to prevent escape and, if this is not done, the animal may be impounded as provided herein and thereafter humanely destroyed, subject to an appeal pursuant to the appeal procedures of Section 8.19.080, PROVIDED, that such appeal shall be filed no later than the end of the fifth business day following owner notification and acknowledgment of impoundment. Impoundment procedure for exotic/wild animal to be complied with as stated in theVeterinary Care Program. Licenses issued under this section shall not apply to the uninterrupted transport of wild animals through the county by private or commercial transportation. Any person licensed under this section shall at all times keep convenient to the quarters where the exotic/wild animal is being kept, the appropriate equipment as specified in the Veterinary Care Program to aid in the capture of the animal were it to escape (Sec. 8 or Ord. 1987-11-37).

A. Wild Felines Applicant must provide Wild Feline Veterinary Care Program, as defined in Section 1, and meets classifications for minimum Housing and Caging, as defined in Section 2.

Section 1 - Wild Feline Veterinary Care Program Form Section 2 - Wild Feline Classification and Housing/Caging Guidelines SECTION 2 - WILD FELINE CLASSIFICATIONS HOUSING & CAGING GUIDELINES

ALL CAGES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A DOUBLE DOOR SECURITY ENTRANCE, THAT WILL NOT REDUCE THE REQUIRED MINIMUM SIZE OF THE CAGE, AND EITHER A TOTALLY ENCLOSED OVERHEAD, OR A MINIMUM HEIGHT AS SPECIFIED FOR THE CLASS OF ANIMAL. CAGE TO BE SECURELY LOCKED EXCEPT DURING CLEANING AND FEEDING. FOR ANY CAGE LOCATED WITHIN AN URBAN AREA, A FENCE OF SUFFICIENT HEIGHT AND STRENGTH TO DETER ENTRY BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD BE AROUND THE CAGE OR PREMISES.

A. OUTDOOR FACILITIES Cage construction materials shall consist of chain link or wire mesh, as specified below by the class of animal. Cage must be equipped with a ground level retaining rail or equivalent. A mid-rail for strength is recommended. Cages open at the top should have an inward slanting (approx 45 degree) section at the top, or an electric wire, to prevent cats from being able to jump up and grab the top of the fence.

B. INDOOR FACILITIES The structure shall be designed and constructed so as to prevent the escape of the animal. The window openings of the facilities, other than openings directly into adjacent cages, shall be covered with the same material as the cage for the class of wild feline to be maintained. The facilities shall be adequately ventilated, through the installation and use of windows, vents, doors, or air conditioning, so as to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation. The facilities shall be sufficiently lighted, either through natural or artificial means, so as to permit thorough inspection and cleaning of the facilities and so as to protect the animal from excessive illumination. The facilities shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair so as to protect the animal from injury, to keep the animal dry and clean, to contain the animal, and to restrict entry of other animals.

C. SANITATION Excreta and debris shall be removed from indoor and outdoor facilities as often as necessary to prevent contamination of food or water supplies, reduce disease hazards, and odors.

D. MINIMUM CAGE SIZE FOR SINGLE FELINE: (See Class List, Below) Cage must be fitted with adequate size loafing shelves, den boxes, and must provide shelter from the elements.

E. FLOORING Cage flooring cannot be made of wire, chain link, any other form of metal material, or any form of or size of rock materials.

CLASS 1 JAGUAR (Panthera Unca) LION (Panthera Leo) TIGER (Panthera Tigris) SNOW LEOPARD (Panthera Uncia) ANY CLASS 2 WHICH EXCEEDS 175 LBS.

Cage construction materials shall consist of not less than nine (9) gauge chain link or equivalent. Cage must be equipped with a ground level retaining rail or equivalent. A mid-rail is recommended. Totally enclosed or at least 12 feet high. MINIMUM CAGE SIZE FOR SINGLE FELINE: 20’L x 20’W x 8’H (closed height)

CLASS 2 COUGAR (Puma Concolor) LEOPARD (Panthera Pardus) ANY CLASS 1 WHICH DOES NOT EXCEED 125 LBS. ANY CLASS 3 WHICH EXCEEDS 125 LBS.

Cage wall construction materials shall consist of not less than eleven and one half (11-1/2) gauge chain link or equivalent. Cage must be equipped with a ground level retaining rail or equivalent. A mid-rail is recommended. Totally enclosed or at least 12 feet high. MINIMUM CAGE SIZE FOR SINGLE FELINE: 20’L x 10’W x 8’H (closed height)

CLASS 3 AFRICAN GOLDEN CAT (Profelius Tenmincki) BOBCAT (Lynx Rufus) CARACAL (Lynx Caracal) CHEETAH (Acinonyx Jabatus)* CLOUDED LEOPARD (Neofelis Nebulosa) CANADIAN LYNX (Lynx Canadensis) EUROPEAN LYNX (Lynx Lynx) FISHING CAT (Prionailurus Viverrina) OCELOT (Felis Paradlis) SERVAL (Leptailurus Serval) ANY CLASS 2 WHICH DOES NOT EXCEED 75 LBS. ANY CLASS 4 WHICH EXCEEDS 25 LBS.

Cage wall construction materials shall consist of not less than fourteen (14) gauge wire and not to exceed two inch by four inch (2" x 4") opening or equivalent. Cage must be equipped with a ground level retaining rail or equivalent. Totally enclosed or at least 12 feet high. MINIMUM CAGE SIZE FOR SINGLE FELINE: 16’L x 8’W x 6’H (closed height) *A Cheetah must have a minimum cage size of 40’L x 20’W x 8’H. (closed height)

CLASS 4 ANY SPECIES NOT LISTED IN CLASS 1, CLASS 2, CLASS 3, OR DOES NOT EXCEED 25 LBS.

Cage wall construction materials shall consist of poultry mesh, not larger than one inch by one inch, or equivalent. Totally enclosed or at least 10 feet high. MINIMUM CAGE SIZE FOR SINGLE FELINE: 8’L x 8’W x 6’H (closed height)