City of Troy, NY Pet Day-Care Facilities

Construct all floors and walls of readily cleanable and water-impervious material in indoor rooms, play areas, runs, pens, crates and cages used to retain animals and maintain all such rooms, play areas, runs, pens, crates and cages in good repair;

Ensure that floors are designed to rapidly eliminate excess water, and that seams in flooring are designed and installed to prevent accumulation of liquids, moisture or debris; and

Construct interior walls so that the interface with floor surfaces is sealed from the flow or accumulation of liquids, moisture or debris;

Maintain hot and cold running water conveniently available at all times, and provide a sink or tub of sufficient size for washing of equipment and utensils used in the facility, including washing and sanitizing of toys, litter pans, dishes, bowls and other food and water containers and utensils used for feeding of animals;

Provide toilet and hand-washing facilities with hot and cold running water;

Ensure that food and water containers and utensils used for mixing of food and feeding of animals are constructed of metal or other water impervious material that is readily cleanable and kept in good condition;

Provide and maintain refrigeration at 41° F. or lower for the protection of foods requiring refrigeration;

Store and prepare separately from pet food and pet medications any medications, food and beverages intended for human consumption;

Store cleaning products and disinfectants securely in areas inaccessible to animals kept at the facility;

Provide an adequately ventilated isolation area physically separated from the rest of the animals for segregation of pets that become sick, are injured or are suspected of having a contagious disease;

Ensure that any common animal play areas are of sufficient size to allow for maintenance of sanitary conditions and to avoid overcrowding of animals;

Ensure that any furnishings such as rugs, couches, mattresses or chairs contained within a common play area are made of materials that can readily be laundered with hot water and detergent or otherwise readily cleaned and sanitized, and that the furnishings are maintained in a sanitary condition;

Provide and maintain cages, crates, pens or individual runs where animals can periodically rest or sleep; and

Dispose of excreta, soiled litter, bedding, waste water and other materials by sanitary means.

§ 124-31 Outdoor facilities.

The owner or operator of any pet day-care facility shall, in outdoor areas of the facility:

Provide adequate walls or fences and keep them secured and maintained in good repair to protect pet animals from injury or escape and restrict the entry of animals from outside;

Provide areas of shelter from excessive sunlight, rain, snow, wind or other elements unless animals are provided indoor facilities to protect them from adverse climate conditions;

Provide adequate drainage in outdoor areas to prevent standing water or accumulation of liquids, mud, debris, excreta or other materials. Surfaces may be made of concrete, asphalt or similar materials designed to facilitate cleaning and removal of animal wastes and debris. Natural lawn or turf may be used if well maintained with regular watering, mowing and repair, and kept free of mud or bare dirt. Alternatively, surfaces may be covered with a sufficient layer of a disposable material such as gravel or sand that can be removed when contaminated by animal excreta and periodically changed to maintain sanitary conditions; and

Dispose of excreta, soiled litter, bedding, waste water and other materials by sanitary means.

§ 124-32 Primary animal enclosures.

The owner or operator of any pet day-care facility shall in the primary animal enclosures including cages, pens, runs, and habitats:

Provide and maintain primary enclosures of sufficient size to allow each pet animal to turn around, exercise normal postural movements, experience or avoid socialization with cage mates and avoid overcrowding;

Maintain primary animal enclosures in good condition and repair to protect animals from injury, to contain them, to prevent entry of predators and to allow animals to stay clean and dry;

Ensure that primary animal enclosures are constructed of materials that are water resistant and can be readily cleaned and disinfected;

Maintain primary animal enclosures in a clean and sanitary condition.

§ 124-33 Sanitation standards.

The owner or operator of a pet day-care facility shall:

Maintain all areas where equipment, supplies and food for animals are stored in a clean and sanitary condition and free from insects and rodents;

Maintain all indoor and outdoor play areas, cages, pens, runs, crates, furnishings, bedding and other animal housing in a clean and sanitary condition and disinfected on a routine basis; and

Ensure that sanitation is accomplished through cleaning of surfaces and equipment to remove gross contamination, dirt and debris followed by the application of a safe and effective disinfectant product.

§ 124-34 Animal health, care and disease prevention standards.

A pet day-care facility owner or operator shall, for animal health, care and disease prevention:

Provide proper food and potable water to the animals, according to the needs of the species;

Sick or injured animals.

Immediately separate sick or significantly injured animals and those suspected of having a contagious disease from those appearing healthy and normal;

Keep animals suspected of having a contagious disease in a designated separation area in order to avoid exposure to other animals or people; and

Ensure that only designated staff trained in infection control procedures as set forth in the basic infection control plan required under this chapter attend to animals held in the designated separation area, and that sick and injured animals and those suspected of having a contagious disease are released to their owners or receive veterinary care as soon as possible after the illness or injury is discovered;

Before admission of a dog four months of age or older, obtain a copy of a valid rabies certificate or other verification from a licensed veterinarian, or written acknowledgment from the pet owner, that the animal is currently immunized against rabies in accordance with New York laws, Chapter 69 of the Consolidated Laws, Article 7 § 109.

At all times that animals are allowed to commingle for the purposes of play or exercise, ensure that there is direct supervision by a sufficient number of trained employees responsible for the management of the playgroup. For the purpose of this Subsection D, the viewing of animals by video camera does not qualify as direct supervision of pets in commingled groups. Direct supervision includes:

Maintaining a person in charge present at all times that any pet animal is present at the establishment;

Maintaining the presence of a sufficient number of employees equipped to immediately remove animal feces, urine or other bodily fluids followed by cleaning and disinfection of any soiled area; and

Limiting the number of animals that may be maintained in a common play area in order to prevent overcrowding and reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmittal.

§ 124-35 Recordkeeping requirements.

The owner or operator of a pet day-care facility shall maintain written records as applicable and as described in this section. The owner or operator shall include the following information in the written records:

Dates of attendance;

Owners address and telephone number;

Type of animal, including breed;

(4)

Animal's name;

(5)

Copies of the rabies and other vaccinations certificates;

(6)

Dates of any bite inflicted by the animal to another animal or human, or animal bite received by the animal at the facility; and

(7)

Any illness or injury requiring the animal to be placed into the isolation area or removed from the premises for veterinary care.

The owner or operator of any pet day-care facility shall maintain at the establishment all written records required by this section for not less than two years after the date of release of the animal from the establishment, and make all such records available to the Bureau of Code Enforcement for examination upon request.

§ 124-36 Emergency occurrence; ceasing operations and reporting.

The pet day-care facility owner or operator shall immediately discontinue operations and notify the Bureau of Code Enforcement upon receiving notice of an emergency at the facility such as fire, flood, extended interruption of electrical or water service, sewage backup, misuse of poisonous or toxic materials, onset of an apparent zoonotic disease outbreak, gross insanitary occurrence or condition or other circumstance that may endanger public health, except that the pet day-care facility owner or operator is not required to discontinue operations in an area of an establishment that is unaffected by the emergency.

§ 124-37 Application process.

Per § 285-16 of the Troy City Code, the pet day-care facility owner or operator shall apply for a pet day-care facility permit and certificate of occupancy with the Bureau of Code Enforcement.

The plans for the pet day-care facility shall go before the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission.

The pet day-care facility owner or operator shall include the following information in the plans and specifications:

Types of animals kept or served at the facility, including types and quantities of foods stored and provided for the animals;

Proposed hours of operation;

Proposed number of animals and the ratio of staff to animals;

(4)

Proposed indoor and outdoor facility layout, including mechanical equipment, heating, lighting, plumbing, provisions for isolation room or area and construction schedule;

(5)

Description of and types of material used for walls, floors, fencing, kennels, runs, animal enclosures and sinks, and dimensions of any animal enclosures;

(6)

Description of types of waste disposal, sewage disposal and indoor and outdoor animal waste disposal; and

(7)

Other information the Bureau of Code Enforcement may require for review of the proposed construction, conversion or remodeling ensuring compliance with this chapter.

§ 124-38 Plan review application process.

A pet day-care facility permit applicant or permit holder shall submit to the Bureau of Code Enforcement a plan review application, including completed plans and specifications, before a pet day-care facility is constructed or an existing structure is converted for use as a pet day-care facility. If an existing pet day-care facility is being remodeled, the owner or operator shall notify the Bureau of Code Enforcement of the proposed remodel and shall submit to the Bureau of Code Enforcement a completed plan review application if the Bureau of Code Enforcement determines that review of plans and specifications is necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter.

§ 124-39 Inspection; certificate of occupancy; permit.

It is unlawful to maintain or operate a pet day-care facility without a Certificate of Occupancy and a valid pet day-care facility permit issued by the Bureau of Code Enforcement. Each permit is valid only for the location or establishment and owner for which it is issued. A separate permit shall be obtained for each separate pet day-care facility establishment or location.

It is the obligation of the pet day-care facility owner or operator to schedule the annual inspection with Bureau of Code Enforcement.

The inspection fee is $25.

After presenting identification credentials, the Bureau of Code Enforcement is authorized to enter and conduct inspections of any pet day-care facility during normal business hours, hours of operation and other reasonable times to determine compliance with and enforce this chapter, including the conditions of a permit or variance. The facility owner or operator shall allow the Bureau of Code Enforcement to enter and inspect the establishment, and the establishment's records required to be maintained under this chapter, to determine compliance with and enforce this chapter, including the conditions of a permit or variance. The Bureau of Code Enforcement is also authorized to enter any pet day-care facility for the purpose of providing information and education to facility personnel, including written materials and consultation on good sanitation practices and methods to prevent the spread of zoonotic disease. The Bureau of Code Enforcement may request the assistance of the City of Troy Animal Control Officer and/or the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in its annual inspection.

Each pet day-care facility operating permit is an annual permit and shall expire on the date established by the Bureau of Code Enforcement.

The Bureau of Code Enforcement shall document on an inspection form:

Administrative information about the pet day-care facility name, location, name of owner or operator, inspection date and permit status;

The Bureau of Code Enforcement's inspection findings, including factual observations of violations, nonconformance with this chapter or other substandard conditions that require correction by the permit holder;