if you make over $500.00 on sells to the pet shop a year you must be USDA or if you sell pups or kittens in any amount to a pet shop,broker or lab you must be USDA.
you don't want to be USDA.
Subpart C_Specifications for the Humane Handling, Care, Treatment and
Transportation of Rabbits
Facilities and Operating Standards
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.50]
Sec. 3.50 Facilities, general
.
(a) Structural strength. Indoor and outdoor housing facilities for rabbits
shall be structurally sound and shall be maintained in good repair, to protect
the animals from injury, to contain the animals, and to restrict the entrance of
other animals.
(b) Water and electric power. Reliable and adequate electric power, if
required to comply with other provisions of this subpart, and adequate potable
water shall be available.
(c) Storage. Supplies of food and bedding shall be stored in
facilities which adequately protect such supplies against infestation or
contamination by vermin. Refrigeration shall be provided for supplies of
perishable food.
(d) Waste disposal. Provision shall be made for the removal and disposal of
animal and food wastes, bedding, dead animals, and debris. Disposal facilities
shall be so provided and operated as to minimize vermin infestation, odors, and
disease hazards.
(e) Washroom and sinks. Facilities, such as washrooms, basins, or sinks,
shall be provided to maintain cleanliness among animal caretakers.
[32 FR 3273, Feb. 24, 1967, as amended at 44 FR 63492, Nov. 2, 1979]
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.51]
Sec. 3.51 Facilities, indoor
.
(a) Heating. Indoor housing facilities for rabbits need not be heated.
(b) Ventilation. Indoor housing facilities for rabbits shall be adequately
ventilated to provide for the health and comfort of the animals at all times.
Such facilities shall be provided with fresh air either by means of windows,
doors, vents, or air conditioning and shall be ventilated so as to minimize
drafts, odors, and moisture condensation. Auxiliary ventilation, such as exhaust
fans and vents or air conditioning, shall be provided when the ambient
temperature is 85 [deg]F. or higher.
(c) Lighting. Indoor housing facilities for rabbits shall have ample light,
by natural or artificial means, or both, of good quality and well distributed.
Such lighting shall provide uniformly distributed illumination of sufficient
light intensity to permit routine inspection and cleaning during the entire
working period. Primary enclosures shall be so placed as to protect the rabbits
from excessive illumination.
(d) Interior surfaces. The interior building surfaces of indoor housing
facilities shall be constructed and maintained so that they are substantially
impervious to moisture and may be readily sanitized.
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.52]
Sec. 3.52 Facilities, outdoor
.
(a) Shelter from sunlight. When sunlight is likely to cause overheating or
discomfort, sufficient shade shall be provided to allow all rabbits kept
outdoors to protect themselves from the direct rays of the sun. When the
atmospheric temperature exceeds 90 [deg]F. artificial cooling shall be provided
by a sprinkler system or other means.
(b) Shelter from rain or snow. Rabbits kept outdoors shall be provided with
access to shelter to allow them to remain dry during rain or snow.
(c) Shelter from cold weather. Shelter shall be provided for all rabbits
kept outdoors when the atmospheric temperature falls below 40 [deg]F.
(d) Protection from predators. Outdoor housing facilities for rabbits shall
be fenced or otherwise enclosed to minimize the entrance of predators.
(e) Drainage. A suitable method shall be provided to rapidly eliminate
excess water.
----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.53]
Sec. 3.53 Primary enclosures
.
All primary enclosures for rabbits shall conform to the following
requirements:
(a) General. (1) Primary enclosures shall be structurally sound and
maintained in good repair to protect the rabbits from injury, to contain them,
and to keep predators out.
(2) Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to enable
the rabbits to remain dry and clean.
(3) Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so that the
rabbits contained therein have convenient access to clean food and water as
required in this subpart.
(4) The floors of the primary enclosures shall be constructed so as to
protect the rabbits' feet and legs from injury. Litter shall be provided in all
primary enclosures having solid floors.
(5) A suitable nest box containing clean nesting material shall be provided
in each primary enclosure housing a female with a litter less than one month of
age.
(b) Space requirements for primary enclosures acquired before August 15,
1990. Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide
sufficient space for the animal to make normal postural adjustments with
adequate freedom of movement. Each rabbit housed in a primary enclosure shall be
provided a minimum amount of floor space, exclusive of the space taken up by
food and water receptacles, in accordance with the following table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum
space per
Category Individual weights rabbit
(pounds) (square
inches)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Groups.............................. 3 through 5........... 144
6 through 8........... 288
9 or more............. 432
Individual adults................... 3 through 5........... 180
6 through 8........... 360
9 through 11.......... 540
12 or more............ 720
Nursing females..................... 3 through 5........... 576
6 through 8........... 720
9 through 11.......... 864
12 or more............ 1080
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Space requirements for primary enclosures acquired on or after August
15, 1990. (1) Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so as to
provide sufficient space for the animal to make normal postural adjustments with
adequate freedom of movement.
(2) Each rabbit housed in a primary enclosure shall be provided a minimum
amount of floor space, exclusive of the space taken up by food and water
receptacles, in accordance with the following table:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------
Individual weights Minimum floor
space Minimum interior height
---------------------------------------------
--------------------------------
kg lbs m\2\
ft\2\ cm in
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------
Individual rabbits (weaned)....... <2 <4.4 0.14
1.5 35.56 14
2-4 4.4-8.8 0.28
3.0 35.56 14
4-5.4 8.8-11.9 0.37
4.0 35.56 14
0.46 5.0 35.56
14
5.4 11.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------
Weight of nursing female Minimum floor
space/ Minimum interior height
-------------------------- female &
litter -------------------------
-------------------
-------
kg lbs m\2\
ft\2\ cm in
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------
Females with litters.............. <2 <4.4 0.37
4.0 35.56 14
2-4 4.4-8.8 0.46
5.0 35.56 14
4-5.4 8.8-11.9 0.56
6.0 35.56 14
0.70 7.5 35.56
14
5.4 11.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------
(3) Innovative primary enclosures that do not precisely meet the space
requirements of paragraph (c)(2) of this section, but that do provide rabbits
with a sufficient volume of space and the opportunity to express species-typical
behavior, may be used at research facilities when approved by the Institutional
Animal Care and Use Committee, and by dealers and exhibitors when approved by
the Administrator.
[32 FR 3273, Feb. 24, 1967, as amended at 55 FR 28883, July 16, 1990]
Animal Health and Husbandry Standards
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.54]
Sec. 3.54 Feeding
.
(a) Rabbits shall be fed at least once each day except as otherwise might be
required to provide adequate veterinary care. The food shall be free from
contamination, wholesome, palatable and of sufficient quantity and nutritive
value to meet the normal daily requirements for the condition and size of the
rabbit.
(b) Food receptacles shall be accessible to all rabbits in a primary
enclosure and shall be located so as to minimize contamination by excreta. All
food receptacles shall be kept clean and sanitized at least once every 2 weeks.
If self feeders are used for the feeding of dry feed, measures must be taken to
prevent molding, deterioration or caking of the feed.
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.55]
Sec. 3.55 Watering
.
Sufficient potable water shall be provided daily except as might otherwise
be required to provide adequate veterinary care. All watering receptacles shall
be sanitized when dirty: Provided, however, That such receptacles shall be
sanitized at least once every 2 weeks.
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.56]
Sec. 3.56 Sanitation
.
(a) Cleaning of primary enclosures. (1) Primary enclosures shall be kept
reasonably free of excreta, hair, cobwebs and other debris by periodic cleaning.
Measures shall be taken to prevent the wetting of rabbits in such enclosures if
a washing process is used.
(2) In primary enclosures equipped with solid floors, soiled litter shall be
removed and replaced with clean litter at least once each week.
(3) If primary enclosures are equipped with wire or mesh floors, the troughs
or pans under such enclosures shall be cleaned at least once each week. If worm
bins are used under such enclosures they shall be maintained in a sanitary
condition.
(b) Sanitization of primary enclosures. (1) Primary enclosures for rabbits
shall be sanitized at least once every 30 days in the manner provided in
paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
(2) Prior to the introduction of rabbits into empty primary enclosures
previously occupied, such enclosures shall be sanitized in the manner provided
in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
(3) Primary enclosures for rabbits shall be sanitized by washing them with
hot water (180 [deg]F.) and soap or detergent as in a mechanical cage washer, or
by washing all soiled surfaces with a detergent solution followed by a safe and
effective disinfectant, or by cleaning all soiled surfaces with live steam or
flame.
(c) Housekeeping. Premises (buildings and grounds) shall be kept clean and
in good repair in order to protect the animals from injury and to facilitate the
prescribed husbandry practices set forth in this subpart. Premises shall remain
free of accumulations of trash.
(d) Pest control. An effective program for the control of insects,
ectoparasites, and avian and mammalian pests shall be established and
maintained.
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.57]
Sec. 3.57 Employees
.
A sufficient number of employees shall be utilized to maintain the
prescribed level of husbandry practices set forth in this subpart. Such
practices shall be under the supervision of an animal caretaker who has a
background in animal husbandry or care.
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.58]
Sec. 3.58 Classification and separation
.
Animals housed in the same primary enclosure shall be maintained in
compatible groups, with the following additional restrictions:
(a) Rabbits shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with any other
species of animals unless required for scientific reasons.
(b) Rabbits under quarantine or treatment for a communicable disease shall
be separated from other rabbits and other susceptible species of animals in such
a manner as to minimize dissemination of such disease.
Transportation Standards
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.60]
Sec. 3.60 Consignments to carriers and intermediate handlers
.
(a) Carriers and intermediate handlers shall not accept any live rabbit
presented by any dealer, research facility, exhibitor, operator of an auction
sale, or other person, or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the
United States or any State or local government for shipment, in commerce, more
than 4 hours prior to the scheduled departure of the primary conveyance on which
it is to be transported: Provided, however, That the carrier or intermediate
handler and any dealer, research facility, exhibitor, operator of an auction
sale, or other person, or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the
United States or any State or local government may mutually agree to extend the
time of acceptance to not more than 6 hours if specific prior scheduling of the
animal shipment to destination has been made.
(b) Any carrier or intermediate handler shall only accept for transportation
or transport, in commerce, any live rabbit in a primary enclosure which conforms
to the requirements set forth in Sec. 3.61 of the standards: Provided, however,
That any carrier or intermediate handler may accept for transportation or
transport, in commerce, any live rabbit consigned by any department, agency, or
instrumentality of the United States having laboratory animal facilities or
exhibiting animals or any licensed or registered dealer, research facility,
exhibitor, or operator of any auction sale, if such consignor furnishes to the
carrier or intermediate handler a certificate, signed by the consignor, stating
that the primary enclosure complies with Sec. 3.61 of the standards, unless such
primary enclosure is obviously defective or damaged and it is apparent that it
cannot reasonably be expected to contain the live rabbit without causing
suffering or injury to such live rabbit. A copy of such certificate shall
accompany the shipment to destination. The certificate shall include at least
the following information:
(1) Name and address of the consignor;
(2) The number of rabbits in the primary enclosure(s);
(3) A certifying statement (e.g., ``I hereby certify that the ---- (number)
primary enclosure(s) which are used to transport the animal(s) in this shipment
complies (comply) with USDA standards for primary enclosures (9 CFR part 3).'');
and
(4) The signature of the consignor, and date.
(c) Carriers or intermediate handlers whose facilities fail to meet the
minimum temperature allowed by the standards may accept for transportation or
transport, in commerce, any live rabbit consigned by any department, agency, or
instrumentality of the United States or of any State or local government, or by
any person (including any licensee or registrant under the Act, as well as any
private individual) if the consignor furnishes to the carrier or intermediate
handler a certificate executed by a veterinarian accredited by this Department
pursuant to part 160 of this title on a specified date which shall not be more
than 10 days prior to delivery of such rabbit for transportation in commerce,
stating that such live rabbit is acclimated to air temperatures lower than those
prescribed in Sec. Sec. 3.65 and 3.66. A copy of such certificate shall
accompany the shipment to destination. The certificate shall include at least
the following information:
(1) Name and address of the consignor;
(2) The number of rabbits in the shipment;
(3) A certifying statement (e.g., ``I hereby certify that the animal(s) in
this shipment is (are), to the best of my knowledge, acclimated to air
temperatures lower than 7.2 [deg]C. (45 [deg]F.).)''; and
(4) The signature of the USDA accredited veterinarian, assigned
accreditation number, and date.
(d) Carriers and intermediate handlers shall attempt to notify the consignee
at least once in every 6 hour period following the arrival of any live rabbit at
the animal holding area of the terminal cargo facility. The time, date, and
method of each attempted notification and the final notification to the
consignee and the name of the person notifying the consignee shall be recorded
on the copy of the shipping document retained by the carrier or intermediate
handler and on a copy of the shipping document accompanying the animal shipment.
[42 FR 31565, June 21, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 21164, May 16, 1978; 44
FR 63493, Nov. 2, 1979]
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.61]
Sec. 3.61 Primary enclosures used to transport live rabbits
.
No person subject to the Animal Welfare regulations shall offer for
transportation or transport in commerce any live rabbit in a primary enclosure
that does not conform to the following requirements:
(a) Primary enclosures, such as compartments, transport cages, cartons, or
crates, used to transport live rabbits shall be constructed in such a manner
that:
(1) The structural strength of the enclosure shall be sufficient to contain
the live rabbits and to withstand the normal rigors of transportation;
(2) The interior of the enclosure shall be free from any protrusions that
could be injurious to the live rabbits contained therein;
(3) The openings of such enclosures are easily accessible at all times for
emergency removal of the live rabbits;
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, there are
ventilation openings located on two opposite walls of the primary enclosure and
the ventilation openings on each such wall shall be at least 16 percent of the
total surface area of each such wall, or there are ventilation openings located
on all four walls of the primary enclosure and the ventilation openings on each
such wall shall be at least 8 percent of the total surface area of each such
wall: Provided, however, That at least one-third of the total minimum area
required for ventilation of the primary enclosure shall be located on the lower
one-half of the primary enclosure and at least one-third of the total minimum
area required for ventilation of the primary enclosure shall be located on the
upper one-half of the primary enclosure;
(5) Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, projecting rims or
other devices shall be on the exterior of the outside walls with any ventilation
openings to prevent obstruction of the ventilation openings and to provide a
minimum air circulation space 1.9 centimeters (.75 inch) between the primary
enclosure and any adjacent cargo or conveyance wall; and
(6) Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, adequate handholds
or other devices for lifting shall be provided on the exterior of the primary
enclosure to enable the primary enclosure to be lifted without tilting and to
ensure that the person handling the primary enclosure will not be in contact
with the rabbit.
(b) Live rabbits transported in the same primary enclosure shall be
maintained in compatible groups and shall not be transported in the same primary
enclosure with other specie of animals.
(c) Primary enclosures used to transport live rabbits shall be large enough
to ensure that each rabbit contained therein has sufficient space to turn about
freely and to make normal postural adjustments.
(d) Not more than 15 live rabbits shall be transported in the same primary
enclosure.
(e) Primary enclosures used to transport live rabbits as provided in this
section shall have solid bottoms to prevent leakage in shipment and shall be
cleaned and sanitized in a manner prescribed in Sec. 3.56 of the standards, if
previously used. Such primary enclosures shall contain clean litter of a
suitable absorbent material which is safe and nontoxic to the rabbits, in
sufficient quantity to absorb and cover excreta, unless the rabbits are on wire
or other nonsolid floors.
(f) Primary enclosures used to transport live rabbits, except where such
primary enclosures are permanently affixed in the animal cargo space of the
primary conveyance, shall be clearly marked on top and on one or more sides with
the works ``Live Animal'' in letters not less than 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) in
height, and with arrows or other markings, to indicate the correct upright
position of the container.
(g) Documents accompanying the shipment shall be attached in an easily
accessible manner to the outside of a primary enclosure which is part of such
shipment.
(h) When a primary enclosure is permanently affixed within the animal cargo
space of the primary conveyance so that the front opening is the only source of
ventilation for such primary enclosure, the front opening shall open directly to
the outside or to an unobstructed aisle or passageway within the primary
conveyance. Such front ventilation opening shall be at least 90 percent of the
total surface area of the front wall of the primary enclosure and covered with
bars, wire mesh or smooth expanded metal.
[42 FR 31565, June 21, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 21164, May 16, 1978; 55
FR 28883, July 16, 1990]
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.62]
Sec. 3.62 Primary conveyances (motor vehicle, rail, air, and marine)
.
(a) The animal cargo space of primary conveyances used in transporting live
rabbits shall be designed and constructed to protect the health, and ensure the
safety and comfort of the rabbits contained therein at all times.
(b) The animal cargo space shall be constructed and maintained in a manner
to prevent the ingress of engine exhaust fumes and gases from the primary
conveyance during transportation in commerce.
(c) No live rabbit shall be placed in an animal cargo space that does not
have a supply of air sufficient for normal breathing for each live animal
contained therein, and the primary enclosures shall be positioned in the animal
cargo space in such a manner that each rabbit has access to sufficient air for
normal breathing.
(d) Primary enclosures shall be positioned in the primary conveyance in such
a manner that in an emergency the live rabbits can be removed from the primary
conveyance as soon as possible.
(e) The interior of the animal cargo space shall be kept clean.
(f) Live rabbits shall not be transported with any material, substance
(e.g., dry ice) or device which may reasonably be expected to be injurious to
the health and well-being of the rabbits unless proper precaution is taken to
prevent such injury.
(g) The animal cargo space of primary conveyances used to transport rabbits
shall be mechanically sound and provide fresh air by means of windows, doors,
vents, or air conditioning so as to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture
condensation. Auxiliary ventilation, such as fans, blowers, or air conditioners,
shall be used in any cargo space containing live rabbits when the ambient
temperature in the animal cargo space is 75 [deg]F (23.9 [deg]C) or higher. The
ambient temperature within the animal cargo space shall not exceed 85 [deg]F
(29.5 [deg]C) or fall below 45 [deg]F (7.2 [deg]C), except that the ambient
temperature in the cargo space may be below 45 [deg]F (7.2 [deg]C) if the
rabbits are accompanied by a certificate of acclimation to lower temperatures,
as provided in Sec. 3.60(c) of this part.
[42 FR 31565, June 21, 1977, as amended at 55 FR 28883, July 16, 1990]
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.63]
Sec. 3.63 Food and water requirements
.
(a) If live rabbits are to be transported for a period of more than 6 hours,
they shall have access to food and water or a type of food, which provides the
requirements for food and water in quantity and quality sufficient to satisfy
their food and water needs, during transit.
(b) Any dealer, research facility, exhibitor or operator of an auction sale
offering any live rabbit to any carrier or intermediate handler for
transportation, in commerce, shall provide an adequate supply of food or type of
food, which provides the requirements for food and water, within the primary
enclosure to meet the requirements of this section.
(c) No carrier or intermediate handler shall accept for transportation, in
commerce, any live rabbit without an adequate supply of food or type of food,
which provides the requirements for food and water, within the primary enclosure
to meet the requirements of this section.
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.64]
Sec. 3.64 Care in transit
.
(a) During surface transportation, it shall be the responsibility of the
driver or other employee to visually observe the live rabbits as frequently as
circumstances may dictate, but not less than once every 4 hours, to assure that
they are receiving sufficient air for normal breathing, their ambient
temperatures are within the prescribed limits, all other applicable standards
are being complied with and to determine whether any of the live rabbits are in
obvious physical distress and to provide any needed veterinary care as soon as
possible. When transported by air, live rabbits shall be visually observed by
the carrier as frequently as circumstances may dictate, but not less than once
every 4 hours, if the cargo space is accessible during flight. If the animal
cargo space is not accessible during flight, the carrier shall visually observe
the live rabbits whenever loaded and unloaded and whenever the animal cargo
space is otherwise accessible to assure that they are receiving sufficient air
for normal breathing, their ambient temperatures are within the prescribed
limits, all other applicable standards are being complied with and to determine
whether any such live rabbits are in obvious physical distress. The carrier
shall provide any needed veterinary care as soon as possible. No rabbit in
obvious physical distress shall be transported in commerce.
(b) During the course of transportation, in commerce, live rabbits shall not
be removed from their primary enclosures unless placed in other primary
enclosures or facilities conforming to the requirements provided in this
subpart.
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.65]
Sec. 3.65 Terminal facilities
.
No person subject to the Animal Welfare regulations shall commingle
shipments of live rabbits with inanimate cargo. All animal holding areas of a
terminal facility where shipments of rabbits are maintained shall be cleaned and
sanitized as prescribed in Sec. 3.56 of the standards often enough to prevent an
accumulation of debris or excreta, to minimize vermin infestation, and to
prevent a disease hazard. An effective program for the control of insects,
ectoparasites, and avian and mammalian pests shall be established and maintained
for all animal holding areas. Any animal holding area containing live rabbits
shall be provided with fresh air by means of windows, doors, vents, or air
conditioning and may be ventilated or air circulated by means of fans, blowers,
or an air conditioning system so as to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture
condensation. Auxiliary ventilation, such as exhaust fans and vents or fans or
blowers or air conditioning shall be used for any animal holding area containing
live rabbits when the air temperature within such animal holding area is 23.9
[deg]C. (75 [deg]F.) or higher. The air temperature around any live rabbit in
any animal holding area shall not be allowed to fall below 7.2 [deg]C. (45
[deg]F.) nor be allowed to exceed 29.5 [deg]C. (85 [deg]F.) at any time. To
ascertain compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, the air temperature
around any live rabbit shall be measured and read outside the primary enclosure
which contains such rabbit at a distance not to exceed .91 meters (3 feet) from
any one of the external walls of the primary enclosure and on a level parallel
to the bottom of such primary enclosure at a point which approximates half the
distance between the top and bottom of such primary enclosure.
[43 FR 56216, Dec. 1, 1978, as amended at 55 FR 28883, July 16, 1990]]
-----------------------------
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.66]
Sec. 3.66 Handling
.
(a) Any person who is subject to the Animal Welfare regulations and who
moves live rabbits from an animal holding area of a terminal facility to a
primary conveyance or vice versa shall do so as quickly and efficiently as
possible. Any person subject to the Animal Welfare regulations and holding any
live rabbit in an animal holding area of a terminal facility or transporting any
live rabbit to or from a terminal facility shall provide the following:
(1) Shelter from sunlight. When sunlight is likely to cause
overheating or discomfort, sufficient shade shall be provided to protect the
live rabbits from the direct rays of the sun and such live rabbits shall not be
subjected to surrounding air temperatures which exceed 29.5 [deg]C. (85
[deg]F.), and which shall be measured and read in the manner prescribed in Sec.
3.65 of this part, for a period of more than 45 minutes.
(2) Shelter from rain or snow. Live rabbits shall be provided protection to
allow them to remain dry during rain or snow.
(3) Shelter from cold weather. Transporting devices shall be covered to
provide protection for live rabbits when the outdoor air temperature falls below
10 [deg]C. (50 [deg]F.), and such live rabbits shall not be subjected to
surrounding air temperatures which fall below 7.2 [deg]C. (45 [deg]F.), and
which shall be measured and read in the manner prescribed in Sec. 3.65 of this
part, for a period of more than 45 minutes unless such rabbits are accompanied
by a certificate of acclimation to lower temperatures as prescribed in Sec.
3.60(c).
(b) Care shall be exercised to avoid handling of the primary enclosure in
such a manner that may cause physical or emotional trauma to the live rabbit
contained therein.
(c) Primary enclosures used to transport any live rabbit shall not be
tossed, dropped, or needlessly tilted and shall not be stacked in a manner which
may reasonably be expected to result in their falling.
[43 FR 21164, May 16, 1978, as amended at 43 FR 56216, Dec. 1, 1978; 55
FR 28883, July 16, 1990]
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfar ... wr/awr.pdf
