Responsible Pet Sales

Direction in this area had become necessary in light of the increasing number of requests made to the association on this specific issue by municipal and provincial regulators, as well as numerous consumer and stakeholder groups. Lack of pet industry-accepted standards gave regulators no choice but to recognize other published space requirement standards, these standards not having been designed to address the needs of animals kept in a pet retail environment. As result of this, retailers have been harassed to meet standards originally designed for research establishments and breeding kennels, in the case of dogs for example.

The following document was achieved through extensive consultation. Expertise was taken from Pets Canada’s involvement with government regulators and Canadian animal care agencies. Through our involvement with the International Pet Advisory Council we were able to review pertinent documents from other pet industry associations around the world.

Among the references used to build this document we consulted; the Pet Care Manual from Pet Industry Federation UK, the National Code Practice from the Pet Industry Association of Australia, the Proposed Housing Standards for Cats and Dogs in Companion Animal Establishments from the Prince Edward Island Government, a referral to the State of Colorado’s published Animal Care Facilities guidelines and a document from the Ministry of Agriculture and Veterinary Authority of Singapore.

Assumptions

The following assumptions have been taken into account to come up with the recommendations appearing in this document:

1. Definition of Pet retail environment. “Pet retail environment” means any place or premise used in whole or in part, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, for the purpose of retail sale, trading, , or otherwise transferring pet animals to the public. In addition to the traditional pet shop or wholesaler, pet retail environments shall include the keeping for transfer or the transfer of pet animals at temporary facilities such as flea markets, mobile facilities, department stores, merchandise outlets, discount outlets, pet animal shows conducting a sale, and other types of retail outlets
2. The minimum needs for socialization and exercise are already being met;
3. “Dog” means a male or female puppy, aged eight (8) weeks or more;
4. “Housing unit” means any cage or other enclosure used to house a cat or a dog but does not include housing in a cage while transporting a dog or a cat outside the pet retail environment;
5. “Shoulder height” means the height of a dog at the withers (measured from a flat surface on which the dog is standing to the highest part of the back at the base of the neck of the dog);
6. Notwithstanding other assumptions, each dog should be kept in a housing unit with dimensions that will accommodate the height, weight and length of the dog comfortably, with enough room to stand, sit, lie down and turn around without restrictions or overcrowding;
7. Notwithstanding the other assumptions, it is understood that while this document specifically refers to space requirements, it does assume that all other pertinent animal welfare considerations, as outlined in other Pets Canada publications, are being met.
8. Other related activities (grooming, adoption, etc.) must also comply with the previous assumptions. However, housing dimensions will take into consideration the size of the animals concerned.

In light of the assumptions made, Pets Canada recommends the following as a suggested cage space requirements for dogs kept in a pet retail environment.

Recommended space requirements:

* In accordance with hypothesis number 5.

The following is the result of some research done from a compilation of documents from around the world. At this particular point in its development, the document reflects the expertise identified and selected by the staff of Pets Canada.

Among the references used to build this document we consulted; the Pet Care Manual from Pet Industry Federation UK, the National Code Practice from the Pet Industry Association of Australia, the Proposed Housing Standards for Cats and Dogs in Companion Animal Establishments from the Prince Edward Island Government, a referral to the State of Colorado’s published Animal Care Facilities guidelines and a document from the Ministry of Agriculture and Veterinary Authority of Singapore.

Assumptions

The following assumptions have been taken into account to come up with the recommendations appearing in this document. The following are a compilation of assumptions based on information from the documents listed in the above background

1. Definition of Pet retail environment. “Pet retail environment” means any place or premise used in whole or in part, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, for the purpose of retail sale, trading, , or otherwise transferring pet animals to the public. In addition to the traditional pet shop or wholesaler, pet retail environments shall include the keeping for transfer or the transfer of pet animals at temporary facilities such as flea markets, mobile facilities, department stores, merchandise outlets, discount outlets, pet animal shows conducting a sale, and other types of retail outlets.
2. “Cat” means an adult or juvenile cat, and includes a kitten (male and female) 8 weeks or older;
3. The minimum needs for socialization and exercise are already being met;
4. “Housing unit” means any cage or other enclosure used to house a cat but does not include housing in a cage while transporting a cat outside a companion animal establishment;
5. Notwithstanding the other assumptions, it is understood that while this document specifically refers to space requirements, it does assume that all other pertinent animal welfare considerations, as outlined in other Pets Canada publications, are being met.
6. Other related activities (grooming, adoption, etc.) must also comply with the previous assumptions. However, housing dimensions will take into consideration the size of the animals concerned;
7. The housing units shall comply with the following:
   Height of housing unit must not be less than 20 centimeters from the top of the head of the tallest cat to the ceiling of the housing unit, as measured when the cat is standing and must allow the animal to stretch fully upright on its hind legs.
   b. It is recommended that cats/kittens from different litters should be housed in separate enclosures to avoid any possible cross-contamination.
8. If a resting perch is used then the following criteria are assumed;
   The resting perch surface area should be no less than 600 sq cm and no more than 25% of the base floor surface area;
   b. The cat can rest comfortably upon it;
   c. The height of the resting perch should be high enough that the cat can fit underneath it;
   d. The top of a hooded litter box can be considered as a resting perch surface.
   e. The resting perch surface area shall be in addition to the floor space prescribed for a housing unit in the following table
9. Notwithstanding other assumptions, each cat should be kept in a housing unit with dimensions that will accommodate the height, weight and length of the cat comfortably, with enough room to stand, sit, lie down and turn around without restriction or overcrowding;

In light of the assumptions made, here are tables of recommended space requirements for cats and kittens.

Recommended space requirements:

The following document is the result of some extensive research.. The document reflects the expertise identified and selected by the staff of Pets Canada. Through our involvement with the International Pet Advisory Council we were able to review pertinent documents from other pet industry associations around the world. Further consultation with PIJAC USA resulted in, among other references, a referral to the State of Colorado’s published Animal Care Facilities guidelines.

The first version of the document created some concerns, i.e. some of the calculations and cubic densities were in question, and as a result of the feedback from our membership, we have reviewed the method of calculation used in the formula originally proposed. Another methodology that was examined uses area (sq. cm.) rather than cubic space. The theory is that most birds will gravitate to the top of the cage. Hence, the height of the cage (and subsequently cubic measurement) is irrelevant and possibly misleading in determining space requirements.

Assumptions

The following assumptions have been taken into account to come up with the recommendations appearing in this document:

Definition of Pet retail environment. “Pet retail environment” means any place or premise used in whole or in part, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, for the purpose of retail sale, trading or otherwise transferring pet animals to the public.In addition to the traditional pet shop or wholesaler, pet retail environments shall include the keeping for transfer or the transfer of pet animals at temporary facilities such as flea markets, mobile facilities, department stores, merchandise outlets, discount outlets, pet animal shows conducting a sale, and other types of retail outlets.

Notwithstanding the other assumptions, it is understood that while this document specifically refers to stocking densities, it is assumed that all other pertinent animal welfare considerations, as outlined in other Pets Canada publications, are being met. More specifically this means:

1. Primary enclosures are those animal enclosures in which the animal normally rests or sleeps (also referred to as housing).
2. Primary enclosures shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury, to contain them, and to keep predators out. Primary enclosures shall be constructed such that they can be routinely maintained to allow animals to stay dry and clean (as appropriate for the species) and to provide convenient access to clean food and water. The floor of the primary enclosure shall be constructed to prevent injury to the animals’ feet and legs. All the surfaces of the primary enclosure must be constructed of a material that is water resistant and can be cleaned and sanitized. All primary enclosures shall allow each pet animal to turn around, exercise normal postural movements, and to experience necessary socialization with cage mates.
3. Display cases may be utilized as primary enclosures during the workday; however, animals should not be kept in display cases overnight unless the display case also meets the requirements of and functions as a primary enclosure.
4. Display cases must be constructed of a material that is water resistant and can be cleaned and sanitized. Display cases must be well constructed and kept in good repair. The area around the display case must be well ventilated to prevent odor buildup. Display cases for birds shall be maintained in good repair and constructed of non-toxic metal or other water resistant material, which can be cleaned and sanitized

In light of these assumptions, Pets Canada recommends the following as suggested cage stocking densities for birds kept in a pet retail environment.

General considerations: Minimum Space Requirements:

(a)  Other than for head, wing and tail clearance, the housing must be large enough to provide full body extension without contact with the confines and must be wide enough in at least one direction to accommodate completely stretched wings.

(b)  Enough food should be available at all times and fresh water should be provided daily. Water and food containers need to be placed to avoid droppings contaminating them.

(c) Two perches of different dimensions and shape is required for all perching birds (ex: parrots, budgies and finches, etc). For species who prefer to fly and jump from one perch to another, instead of climb, like finches and canaries, perches should be placed at both ends of the cage. Perches should be placed to prevent droppings from contaminating food, water and other birds.

(c) Objects or setups should improve and encourage entertainment (environmental enrichment) and should be provided for psittacids and corvids.

(e) Minimum space requirements for multiple birds housed temporarily depend on the calculated Housing Density Factor and the overall length of the bird as measured from the tip of the tail to the top of the head. Additional birds are added as space allows based on the formula.

The following calculation is will now be used to determine the number of birds that could be housed in a given enclosure:

A + B = C

• Where A = 1, (represents the calculation of the first bird’s space requirements (see Density Factor Chart)).*
  If this is less than one (1), this means this cage is not suitable for this type of bird.
• Ÿ where Bis the calculation of how many additional birds may be suitably added,
• Ÿ where Cis equal to the total birds suggested for that particular space.

Calculation of A:

(cage size in sq. cm.) – (single bird need in sq. cm.)

where the answer is > 0*, then A = 1

Calculation of B:

(cage size in sq. cm.) – (single bird need in sq. cm.)  = B (rounded down)

(additional birds needs in sq. cm.)

Calculation of C:

A +B =C

Example: What is the suggested maximum number of cockatiels in a 2400 sq. cm. cage?

A=

(2400 sq. cm.) – (1st Cockatiel @ 1000 sq. cm. )

where the answer is > 0*, then  A = 1

B =

(2400-1000)

additional birds needs @ 250 sq. cm.  B = 5.6, rounded down to 5

C =

6

Measurements are based on the actual living space and do not include T-stands or perches attached to the outside of the cage.

Outdoor Aviaries. The size, shape, and design of the cages shall be appropriate for the species being housed and shall allow space, without overcrowding, for the normal exercise requirements of each bird. Flight cages shall be constructed to prevent injury to birds. A covered portion of each cage shall be provided where birds can avoid direct sunlight or adverse weather conditions and commingling with non-captive animals.

Density Factor Chart

Assumptions

The following assumptions have been taken into account to come up with the recommendations appearing in this document. The following are a compilation of assumptions based on information from the documents listed in the above background.

1. Definition of “pet retail environment”. A pet retail environment means any place or premise used in whole or in part, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, for the purpose of retail sale, trading, bartering, or otherwise transferring pet animals to the public. In addition to the traditional pet shop or wholesaler, pet retail environments shall include the keeping for transfer or the transfer of pet animals at temporary facilities such as flea markets, mobile facilities, department stores, merchandise outlets, discount outlets, pet animal shows conducting a sale, and other types of retail outlets.
2. “Fish” means any aquatic animal.
3. The minimum needs for the aquarium will allow fish the ability to swim and turn.
4. Fish are not subjected to rapid fluctuations or extremes of temperature or chemical composition of the water.
5. Fish are not subjected to extremes of light.
6. “Aquarium” means any glass, plastic, acrylic or other enclosure used to house a fish but does not include bagging/cupping while transporting a fish outside a companion animal establishment.
7. Notwithstanding the other assumptions, it is understood that while this document specifically refers to stocking densities, it does assume that all other pertinent animal welfare considerations, as outlined in other Pets Canada publications, are being met.

With the previous assumptions in place the criteria for stocking density for fish is based on water quality is determined by testing (by test strip or chemical testing kit).

Water Quality Criteria

Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) Ltd.

For more information, see also the OATA Water Quality Criteria handbook.

Stocking densities – Ornamental Aquatic Organisms

It is virtually impossible to determine the quantity of aquatic organisms to be kept in a system purely on a weight or number of aquatic organisms per unit, volume, or water surface area.

The variation in holding system used, the quality of husbandry and the types of aquatic organisms stocked vary so greatly that it would render any such system too complicated to be practical or too simple to be useful.

The maintenance of water quality standards can be used to determine working stocking densities.

Water Quality Criteria (1mg/l = 1ppm)

Cold water species

Free Ammonia

max 0.02mg/l

Nitrite

max 0.2mg/l

Dissolved Oxygen

min 6mg/l

Nitrate

max 50mg/l above ambient tap water

Tropical Freshwater Species

Free Ammonia

max 0.02mg/l

Nitrite

max 0.2mg/l

Dissolved Oxygen

min 6mg/l

Nitrate

max 50mg/l above ambient tap water

Tropical Marine Species

Free Ammonia

max 0.01mg/l

Nitrite

max 0.125mg/l

pH

min 8.1

Dissolved Oxygen

recommended 5.5mg/l (never lower than 4.0mg/l)

Nitrate

max 100mg/l