(a)

1. (1) A retail pet store shall advise all employees, whether or not directly involved with animal care, of the minimum standards of care required by this section.

2. (2) A retail pet store shall post such minimum standards of care at any housing facility owned, operated, controlled, or used by it, in a location conspicuous to its:

   1. (A) Owners;
   2. (B) Officers;
   3. (C) Agents;
   4. (D) Operators;
   5. (E) Managers; and
   6. (F) Employees.

3. (3)

   1. (A) A retail pet store shall require each owner, officer, agent, operator, manager, and employee to sign and date an Acknowledgment of Advice of Minimum Standards of Care required by this section.
   2. (B) Such acknowledgments shall be retained permanently by the retail pet store and made available for inspection by authorized persons at reasonable hours.
4. (4) A retail pet store shall post the names and telephone numbers of at least two (2) D.V.M.s, and all persons associated with the retail pet store shall be instructed to contact a D.V.M. in the case of an emergency.

(b)

1. (1) A retail pet store shall maintain a quarantine area, an isolation area, and a general area for confining and handling animals at any facility owned, operated, controlled, or used by it.
2. (2) The quarantine area and isolation area in new and remodeled retail pet stores shall be separate, physically defined spaces removed from the general population.
3. (3) Existing facilities shall make the best practical use of existing space to maintain three (3) separate areas.

(e)

1. (1) Animals in the general area shall be housed with other animals of compatible:

   1. (A) Species;
   2. (B) Age;
   3. (C) Size; and
   4. (D) Temperament.

2. (2)

   1. (A) No animal housed in the general area shall be isolated from other animals except upon the written recommendation from a D.V.M. citing the reason therefor.
   2. (B) No animals shall be housed with or otherwise exposed to a vicious animal.

(f)

1. (1) Every animal which arrives at a retail pet store, or at any housing facility owned, operated, controlled, or used by it, or otherwise possessed, actually or constructively by a retail pet store, shall be examined by a D.V.M. for illness, injury, and genetic defect within seventy-two (72) hours of its arrival and thereafter as needed.
2. (2) If the animal is accompanied by a health certificate signed by a veterinarian within seventy-two (72) hours of arrival, a repeat examination by a veterinarian is not necessary, provided an examination by qualified pet shop personnel is conducted.
3. (3) All newly arrived animals shall be placed in the quarantine area for at least seventy-two (72) hours before transferring to the general area for resale.

4. (4)

   1. (A) If an animal dies before it receives an intake examination, the body shall be preserved and handled in accordance with this section.
   2. (B) Failure to maintain a permanent record for an animal which has been delivered to a retail pet store at or near its premises, or delivered to its owner or owners, officers, agents, operators, managers, and employees, and which dies or is killed prior to an intake examination is a violation of this rule.

(g)

1. (1) Every animal that dies while under the care and control of a retail pet store shall be examined by a veterinarian and the cause of death determined.

2. (2)

   1. (A) As an alternative, the attending veterinarian or pet shop manager may present the animal to the Arkansas Board of Animal Health Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsy.
   2. (B) The necropsy report shall be preserved with the animal's permanent record.
   3. (C) Failure to present the body for necropsy when indicated is a violation of this rule.

(h)

1. (1) Each animal shall be examined daily by competent personnel for signs of disease or injury.
2. (2) Every sick, diseased, or injured animal shall be provided appropriate veterinary care and treatment by a D.V.M. until cured or euthanized in the manner prescribed in 4 CAR § 20-103.
3. (3) A record of the illness or injury will be placed in the permanent record.

(i)

1. (1) A retail pet store shall provide for its animals inoculations and parasite treatment as recommended by a D.V.M.
2. (2) A record of each such inoculation or treatment shall be maintained in the animal's permanent record.

(j)

1. (1) A commercially acceptable food shall be provided daily, including Sundays and holidays.
2. (2) The food shall be free from contamination and shall be served in a clean container.
3. (3) Infant animals shall receive food at least three (3) times a day.
4. (4) Young animals shall receive food at least two (2) times a day.

(k)

1. (1) Clean water shall be available at all times and shall be changed daily.
2. (2) Water shall be available in a removable vessel secured to prevent tipping.
3. (3) Water containers shall be cleaned and sanitized.

(l)

1. (1) A retail pet store shall:

   1. (A) Maintain healthy and comfortable environmental temperatures suitable for the age and type of animal in accordance with the recommendations of a D.V.M.; and
   2. (B) Not expose any animal to conditions detrimental to its health or well-being.
2. (2) A working thermometer shall be displayed in each housing area.

(m)

1. (1) The primary enclosure for any animal shall be made of non-absorbent and non-corrosive materials and shall be constructed in a manner which will protect the animals' legs from injury.
2. (2) No wooden materials shall be used in the construction of any cage or enclosure unless it is covered with water-resistant coating.

3. (3)

   1. (A) A cushioned resting surface of a size sufficient to permit the animal to lie down fully extended shall be available in each primary enclosure.
   2. (B) Such resting surface shall be made of impervious material with insulating qualities.

4. (4)

   1. (A) The primary enclosure for cats shall have a resting surface elevated above the litter area.
   2. (B) Wire or grid flooring shall not be used for cats.

(n) Primary enclosures shall be of sufficient size to permit each animal contained therein to:

1. (1) Stand normally to its full height;
2. (2) Turn around easily and execute normal postural adjustments; and
3. (3) Lie down fully extended.

(o)

1. (1) Primary enclosures for dogs, including puppies, may have wire or grid flooring, provided that the following conditions are met:

   1. (A) The gauge of the wire or grid material shall be of adequate size to support the dog or puppy and to prevent sagging.
   2. (B) The mesh openings shall be no more than one-fourth inches (1/4”) for puppies and three-eighths inches (3/8”) for larger dogs and shall not permit the dog or puppy’s feet or pads to pass through or become caught.
2. (2) If wire or grid of small enough size is not available to protect the feet and legs of the smallest puppies and dogs, such puppies and dogs shall not be maintained on wire or grid at any time, whether in a primary enclosure or otherwise.
3. (3) The wire should be covered with vinyl or rubber.
4. (4) A cushioned resting surface of a size sufficient to permit the animal to lie down fully extended shall be available in each primary enclosure.
5. (5) Puppies shall be provided teething devices as recommended by a D.V.M.
6. (6) Such animals shall be afforded all care necessary to prevent their becoming soiled or chilled by feces or urine.

(p)

1. (1) Animal feces and urine shall be removed from each enclosure, primary or otherwise, as often as is necessary and under no circumstances less than twice each day, including Sundays and holidays.
2. (2) Each enclosure in the isolation area shall be sanitized as directed by a D.V.M.
3. (3) Enclosures in the general area shall be cleaned daily and sanitized as needed.

(s)

1. (1) It is unlawful for a retail pet store to withhold food, water, shelter, or veterinary care from any animal in its care, custody, and control, except that food or water may be withheld with prior written consent of a D.V.M. citing the medical reason for the withholding thereof and specifying the limited time therefor.
2. (2) Such written consent shall be maintained with the animal's permanent record.

(t)

1. (1) Each well animal shall receive at least two (2) hours every day, including Sundays and holidays, of play and exercise.
2. (2) Such periods may be divided.
3. (3) The times and durations of such periods shall be noted and signed by the supervising individual in the permanent record of each animal.