Burbank Municipal Code Div. 8 Breeding Guidelines

5-1-1242: GENERAL:

In addition to the other requirements listed in this Article, kennels acting as breeding facilities, and breeders who raise and sell animals either at wholesale or retail shall comply with the following requirements in this Division. [Added by Ord. No. 3836, eff. 3/8/13.]

5-1-1243: HEALTH OF BREEDING DOGS AND CATS:

A. Litters should only be produced with a reasonable expectation of finding homes where they are both wanted and appreciated, and are offered a good quality of life.

B. A dog or cat must be physically fit, healthy and free of disease at the time of being mated. Animals shall have routine and preventive veterinary care including examination once yearly by a licensed veterinarian.

C. A female unaltered dog shall not be bred during her first estrus season and shall not be bred on consecutive heats. Breeders should consider the welfare of their breeding sires and dams when deciding on the best time to cease breeding their animals.

D. Offspring shall not be removed from the mother and the premises earlier than eight (8) weeks of age except for medical reasons ordered by a licensed veterinarian. The order shall be in writing, state the medical reason for the early separation and be provided upon request. [Added by Ord. No. 3836, eff. 3/8/13.]

5-1-1244: EXERCISE AND SOCIALIZATION:

A. Persons shall ensure that each animal that is weaned has access to locomotory activity; this activity should allow for an animal to move sufficiently to develop and/or maintain normal muscle tone and mass as pertinent for the age, breed, sex and reproductive status of the animal. Provisions for locomotory activity should also allow the animal an opportunity to achieve a running stride.

B. The provided area for locomotion should be separate from the primary enclosure if the primary enclosure does not allow for fulfillment of adequate locomotion enrichment and social activities. The run shall meet the requirements of this Article.

C. Animals shall be provided with daily socialization. For the purpose of this Article, “socialization” means physical contact with other compatible animals of the same species and with human beings. [Added by Ord. No. 3836, eff. 3/8/13.]

5-1-1245: HOUSING:

A. The facility may not house more dogs than the space will allow. At the time of permit application, staff will verify amount of room available for primary enclosures, facilities for breeding and/or whelping and exercise facilities to determine how many animals can be properly accommodated.

B. The primary enclosure shall provide 100 percent of the required space for each animal if maintained separately.

C. Each pregnant animal shall be housed separately at least three (3) days before giving birth and be monitored at reasonable intervals. An animal that has just given birth shall be provided with a whelping box or contained nesting area and housed with her litter in their own enclosure until the newborns are weaned. The box or nesting area shall be designed in a manner that maintains an appropriate temperature for the litter.

D. Animals may not be primarily housed on wire flooring and shall be provided with a rest board, floormat, or similar device that is at least equal to 50 percent in size of the minimum square footage of floor space in a primary enclosure as specified in Section 5-1-1219 that can be maintained in a sanitary condition.

E. The primary enclosure shall provide an area of retreat for the animal in the form of bedding, a built-in platform or visual barrier that allows rest and retreat.

F. Stacked cages shall have permanent solid flooring strong enough that the floor does not sag or bend between the frame or structural supports. The floor of any cage or primary enclosure may not be placed such that it inhibits the ability of caretakers or inspectors to see and check on the well-being of the animal or clean the enclosure, or otherwise hinders proper care of the animal. [Added by Ord. No. 3836, eff. 3/8/13.]

5-1-1246: BREEDING RECORDS:

A. Each licensee shall identify each dog or cat in its control or custody as prescribed by state and federal law.

B. Licensees shall maintain accurate records for at least one year as stated in Section 5-1-1241 and shall also record information on breeding dates, whelping dates, number of puppies per litter, sire for each litter and microchip or other identification number carried by or appearing on the animals. Records shall be provided to the City upon request. [Added by Ord. No. 3836, eff. 3/8/13.]

5-1-1247: STAFFING/EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:

A. An adequate number of trained staff must be provided to ensure appropriate upkeep of the facility and that all minimum care requirements for the dogs can be met. An animal facility shall have adequate staffing on the premises of the animal facility to attend to the dogs at least eight (8) hours in every twenty-four (24) hour period, so long as the dogs are not left unattended for longer than twelve (12) continuous hours. Whenever the dogs are left unattended, the name, telephone number and address of the responsible person shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the front of the property.

B. Each facility must have a documented procedure for the swift removal of animals from the facility, in the case of emergency. This document must be kept at the facility and all staff must be able to produce the document and must be familiar with its content. Commercial dog or cat kennels providing boarding facilities shall provide 24-hour supervision on the premises. In lieu of 24-hour supervision, a

central station signaling system shall be installed whereby a responsible party can be contacted immediately upon detection of fire. [Added by Ord. No. 3836, eff. 3/8/13.]