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Why create this brochure?

The Department’s recent amendments

to its Animal Protection Rules became
effective on June 1, 2019. These
amendments focused primarily on
premise requirements and performance
standards for owners and operators, GEORGIA
and the Department created this
brochure to answer a few frequently DEPARTMENT
encountered questions regarding OF AGRICULTURE
impacts on animal enclosure Gary W. Black, Commissioner agr.georgia.gov
requirements. This brochure is intended Companion Animal and Equine Section
to serve only as a general response to Georgia Department of Agriculture
a select few frequently asked 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.W.
questions. It is not a complete guidance Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Telephone: 404-656-4914
Frequently Asked
document addressing all applicable
laws and rules, and it does not limit the Questions Regarding
Department’s regulatory responsibilities June 2019 Companion
in any way. All persons are responsible
for ensuring they are in compliance agr.georgia.gov/companion- Animal Rule Changes
with all applicable laws and rules. animal-equine-division.aspx
Did the rule changes
impact companion animal
housing structures?
Yes. Primary enclosures must not have
grated or mesh bottoms. Any primary
enclosure with a grated or mesh bottom
must be replaced or brought into
compliance. For example, a mesh
bottom could be completely covered with
a removable flooring material that is
impervious to moisture. The Department
will allot 30-90 days for licensees to
obtain compliance, with the amount of
time given depending on the project’s
size and scope.
Primary enclosures must also provide
each animal with sufficient space to lie
down without the head, face, tail, legs, or
feet of the animal touching the sides of
the enclosure or touching any other
animal in the enclosure. The interior
height of primary enclosures must be at
least six inches higher than the head of
the tallest animal in the enclosure when
it is in a normal standing position.
While not impacted by the changes, the
Department would like to issue a
reminder that indoor and outdoor
housing must be maintained in good
repair. A primary enclosure should be of
sufficient strength to contain the animals
securely and restrict the entrance of
unwanted animals; and its walls, ceiling,
and floor construction must protect the
animals from injury or suffering.
Did the rule changes impact
rabbit hutch type enclosures
with half mesh bottoms?
Yes. In examining compliance under the
recent changes, the Department will
consider rabbit hutch type enclosures with
½ mesh bottoms as two separate
enclosures. The larger of the two areas
will be considered the primary enclosure,
and this area must meet all requirements
applicable to primary enclosures.
Where can I find
additional information?
Georgia’s Animal Protection Act
O.C.G.A. § 4-11-1, et seq.
The Department’s Animal
Protection Rules
Did the rule changes impact 40-13-13-.01, et seq.
GDA Companion Animal/Equine Website
portable or collapsible pet
agr.georgia.gov/companion-animal-equine-
enclosures? division.aspx
Yes. Under the recent changes, portable
or collapsible enclosures must not be
used as permanent housing. They may
be used only for temporary purposes, as
defined in regulation. When used, these Who can I contact for
enclosures must not be stacked. more information?
Enclosures falling under this category
include, but are not limited to, wire type Companion Animal and Equine Section
crates and kennels, mesh bottom crates Georgia Department of Agriculture
and kennels, and plastic crates and 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.W.
kennels. Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Telephone: 404-656-4914