Section 22-344-82 - Animal Shelter Minimum Standards of Animal Care. Control of Rabies in Public Settings(a) All facilities, enclosures, and other places where dogs and cats are kept by an animal shelter shall meet or exceed the following standards: (1) Be of sufficient size and design as to allow each dog or cat to stand, sit, lie down, turn around, and make other normal postural adjustments without obstruction, interference, or impediment by the presence of food, water bowls, equipment, or other animals, unless different space requirements are medically required by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian. For the purposes of this section, facilities which provide space equal to or more than the space requirements for dogs pursuant to 9 CFR 3.6(a)(2)(xi) and 9 CFR 3.6(c)(1), as amended from time to time, shall be deemed to be in compliance with this requirement;(2) Be cleaned and disinfected at least daily, always before introducing a new animal into the enclosure, and more often if necessary, to maintain sanitary conditions. Cages and enclosures shall be unoccupied during cleaning and disinfecting; and(3) Provide shelter from the sun and inclement weather when animals are outside.(b) On a daily basis, the animal shelter shall, with consideration of differences in species, breed, age, and condition, ensure that:(1) Dogs and cats are kept clean and dry. No dog or cat shall be permitted to roam outside. No dog or cat shall be permitted outside unless they are acclimated to and can tolerate the climatic conditions likely to be encountered during the period of time they are outside. A working outdoor thermometer shall be available and used to monitor outdoor temperature;(2) Veterinary care is provided by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian in a timely manner and that when necessary, immediate emergency veterinary care shall be provided;(3) Medications and treatments shall only be administered under the advice or in accordance with written protocols provided by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian, and all medications shall be stored and administered in accordance with federal and state regulations;(4) Dogs and cats diagnosed or under treatment for a communicable disease shall be physically separated from healthy animals to minimize the risk of disease transmission;(5) Dogs and cats shall have unimpeded access to fresh, wholesome, nutritious food and clean potable drinking water at appropriate intervals, considering the breed, age and species of such animals;(6) Uneaten food shall be discarded after twenty-four (24) hours and in no case shall food offered to one animal be subsequently offered to another animal;(7) Dogs and cats shall be provided with appropriately sized clean and disinfected bowls, dishes, or other containers for food and water;(8) Dogs and cats shall be kept clean, protected and free from contamination by excrement, urine, or other foreign matter;(9) Dogs and cats shall be provided with enrichment and exercise to prevent physical atrophy, unless medically restricted by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian;(10) Species of animals shall be separated by a physical wall or barrier that reduces sound transfer;(11) Cats, if housed together, shall be housed in compatible groups without overcrowding;(12) Litters of dogs and cats shall not be permanently separated from their dams before eight (8) weeks of age, unless medically necessary as determined by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian; (13) Unneutered male dogs and cats over three (3) months of age shall be housed separately from female animals; and(14) No cat or dog shall be sold, adopted, transferred, or offered for sale, adoption, or transfer that is under the age of eight (8) weeks.(c) Each animal shelter shall comply with the requirements of section 22-359 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and the regulations adopted thereunder, related to the control of rabies in public settings.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 22-344-82