IMPORTATION OF SHELTER DOGS & CATS INTO CONNECTICUT Ray Connors Chief Animal Control Officer...

IMPORTATION OF SHELTER DOGS & CATS INTO CONNECTICUT Ray Connors Chief Animal Control Officer Supervisor State Animal Control Division Connecticut Department of Agriculture

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What We Do

Animal Welfare Perspective

PUBLIC PERSPECTIVE

State Animal Control Division Seven State Animal Control Officers Supervisor Animal Control Division Operates under the Bureau of Regulation & Inspection

Pet Shop Inspections & Complaint Investigations

Regulate and Inspect Grooming Facilities - Commercial Kennels Training Facilities and Dog Pounds

Rabies

Animal Cruelty Investigation

Second Chance Large Animal Facility

Rescue & Rehabilitation

Disaster Response

Dog Damage To Livestock

LETS GO!

Public Act No. 11-187 AN ACT EXTENDING CERTAIN PET SHOP LICENSEE REQUIREMENTS TO PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT IMPORT ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION.

PA 11-187 SUMMARY: This act makes several changes affecting animal importers. Among other things, the act requires animal importers to (1) register with the Department of Agriculture (DoAg) commissioner; (2) have imported animals examined by a state-licensed veterinarian; and (3) notify DoAg and local zoning officials before offering the animals for sale, adoption, or transfer.

Dogs Coming Into CT Heartworm Positive Dogs With Infested With Internal Parasites Which Are Not Common To The Northeast Animals Incubating Disease

Couple Kept Animals In Deplorable Conditions. Animals Seized In Deplorable Conditions. Rescued Animals From Southern US.. Christmas Puppies Imported With Parvovirus.

PARKING LOT ADOPTIONS

NOWHERE TO TURN

IMPORTER Defining

What is an Animal Importer? A person who brings any dog or cat into this state from any other sovereign entity for the purpose of offering such dog or cat to any person for sale, adoption or transfer in exchange for any fee, sale, voluntary contribution, service or any other consideration. "Animal importer" includes any commercial or nonprofit animal rescue or adoption, humane relocation or delivery organization that is not otherwise required to be licensed under the provisions of this chapter.

Pet Shop Definition Sec. 22-327. CGS Definitions. (9) "Pet shop" means any place at which animals not born and raised on the premises are kept for the purpose of sale to the public;

Sec. 22-344-16a. Structural standards. Sec. 22-344-17a. Enclosures.

Sec. 22-344-17a. Animal Health (c) All dogs and cats received for resale shall be housed, separate from other dogs and cats on the premises for a minimum of 48 hours before being released to a purchaser. Each animal shall be observed daily by the licensee or his representative in order to recognized general symptoms of injury, illness or disease. Any dog or cat that exhibits symptoms of injury, illness or disease shall be isolated and treated as prescribed by a veterinarian. Any such dog or cat shall be verified by a veterinarian to be healthy before such dog or cat can be offered for sale. (d) Dogs confined in cages shall be removed at least once daily for a period of time. Each pet shop shall consult with a veterinarian licensed in Connecticut to determine the place and period of time necessary for exercise for their dogs confined in cages. Each pet shop shall follow the advice of the veterinarian.

Sec. 22-344-25c. Records. (a) The owner or operator of a pet shop shall maintain the following records regarding each dog or cat obtained by the pet shop:

1. Name and address of person, firm or corporation from whom animal was obtained, date thereof and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) dealer license number if applicable. 2. Description of dog or cat including species, breed, sex, color and distinctive markings, physical condition and health, age and USDA animal identification number if applicable. 3. Name and address of person, firm or corporation to whom dog or cat was sold or ownership was transferred and date thereof. 4. Disposition of dog or cat, if not sold or transferred, including euthanasia and method, mortality and cause, if known, escape, or other specific circumstance, and date thereof. 5. For each dog or cat receiving medical care, the type of service rendered, date and veterinarians name. 6. If applicable the USDA individual health certificate and identification form (VS form 18-1). (b) The information required by subdivision (1) and (2) of subsection (a) shall be entered into a bound logbook with all pages consecutively numbered within 72 hours of receipt of the dog or cat. The information required by subdivisions 3 through 5 of subsection (a) shall be entered into the logbook within 72 hours of the event which is being recorded. Any entry in the logbook which is not adjacent to the original entry describing the animal shall refer to such original entry. (c) The records required by subsection (a) shall be maintained at the pet shop for a minimum of two years after the date of sale, transfer or other disposition of the dog or cat addressed by the record, and shall be readily available for inspection by any designated agent of the commissioner. (d) The licensee of a pet shop shall, within 72 hours of receipt of a dog or cat, mail or deliver a copy of the USDA individual health certificate and identification form (VS form 18-1) to the State Veterinarian.

Sec. 22-344b. Pet shop required to have dogs and cats examined by veterinarian. Replacement or refund. Penalty. (a) A pet shop licensee shall, prior to offering a dog or cat for sale and thereafter at intervals of fifteen days until such dog or cat is sold, provide for examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384. The licensee shall maintain a record of the veterinary services rendered for each dog or cat offered for sale. (b) If, within fifteen days of sale, any such dog or cat becomes ill or dies of any illness which existed in such dog or cat at the time of the sale, such licensee shall, at the option of the consumer, replace the dog or cat or refund in full the purchase price of such dog or cat: (1) In the case of illness, upon return of the dog or cat to the pet shop and the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384, stating that the dog or cat is ill from a condition which existed at the time of sale, and (2) in the case of death, the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed under said chapter stating that the dog or cat died from an illness which existed at the time of sale. Any costs for services and medications provided by a licensed veterinarian incurred by the consumer for such illness shall be reimbursed to the consumer by such licensee in an amount not to exceed two hundred dollars. The presentation of such certificate shall be sufficient proof to claim reimbursement or replacement and the return of such deceased dog or cat to the pet shop shall not be required. No such refund or replacement shall be made if such illness or death resulted from maltreatment or neglect by a person other than the licensee, his agent or employee. (c) A licensee who violates any provision of this section shall forfeit to the state a sum not to exceed five hundred dollars for each animal which is the subject of the violation. The Attorney General, upon complaint of the commissioner, may institute a civil action in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to recover the forfeiture specified in this section.

HOW NOT TO FALL UNDER THE PET SHOP DEFINITION PET SHOP

NOT FOR PROFIT http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/d cp/pdf/forms/initial_charity_ application2011.pdf http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/d cp/pdf/forms/initial_charity_ application2011.pdf STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION INITIAL CHARITY REGISTRATION APPLICATION AND INSTRUCTIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 713-6170 EMAIL registration questions to [email protected] You must be registered with the Dept. of Consumer Protection as a Charitable Organization in order to solicit funds. If you are not a registered Not For Profit or Charitable Organization your organization will be considered a business which will require that a pet shop license be procured.

REGISTRATION Must register with the Dept. of Agriculture $100.00 / Year Fee Name / Address/ Phone/ Business address/ Internet address Number of Animals imported during the previous year including state or country of origin.

Out Of State Must have a Connecticut based agent Name/ Address/ Phone/

ONE REGISTRATION COVERS: EMPLOYEES & VOLUNTEERS

AFTER THE ANIMALS COME INTO CT

HEALTH CERTIFICATES HEALTH CERTIFICATE ONE GREAT PET DR. I. Lovepets

( a) Any dog or cat imported into this state shall be accompanied by a certificate of health issued no earlier than thirty days prior to the date of importation by a licensed, graduate veterinarian stating that such dog or cat is free from symptoms of any infectious, contagious or communicable disease, and that such dog or cat, if three months of age or older, is currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian. A copy of such health certificate shall be forwarded promptly to the commissioner from the livestock sanitary official of the state of origin. Any dog or cat originating from a rabies quarantine area shall have permission of the State Veterinarian prior to importation into this state. No person, firm or corporation shall import or export for the purposes of sale, adoption or transfer or offering for sale, adoption or transfer any dog or cat under the age of eight weeks unless such dog or cat is transported with its dam and no person, firm or corporation shall sell or offer for adoption or transfer within the state any dog or cat under the age of eight weeks.

VETERINARY EXAM Not later than 48 hours after importing and prior to sale, adoption or transfer, Provide for the examination of the dog or cat by a CT licensed veterinarian. Re examined every ninety days until the animal is placed. Must be examined not more than fifteen days prior to being placed. Must maintain record of veterinary services rendered to each animal. The animal health record must be kept for a period of three years.

ALL VETERINARY SERVICES RENDERED FOR EACH IMPORTED DOG OR CAT MUST BE KEPT ON FILE FOR THREE YEARS FILE MUST BE KEPT

ANIMAL OR FILE INSPECTION

No Need To Go Into A Private Residence

Prior To An Adoption Event ( 2) Any animal importer who intends to offer for sale, adoption or transfer any dog or cat at a venue or location that is open to the public or at an outdoor location, including, but not limited to, a parking lot or shopping center, shall provide notice to the Department of Agriculture and the municipal zoning enforcement officer of the town where any such sale, adoption or transfer will occur, not later than ten days prior to such event. Such notice shall state the date for such sale, adoption or transfer event, the exact location of such event and the anticipated number of animals for sale, adoption or transfer at such event.

SUMMARY Registered As A Public Charity Must Have An Importers Registration If From Out Of State CT Contact Person Imported with Health Certificate From State of Origin CT Veterinary Exam within 48 hours / Not more than 15 days prior to adoption / every 90 days that animal is held until adopted Notify Dept. of Agriculture and Town Zoning Official 10 Days Prior To Adoption Event

HOW WELL IS IT WORKING?

OCTOBER 1, 2011

SUSPECT PARVOVIRUS

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

HELP WAS OFFERED TO HOUSE THE DOGS Refused Help Was counting on the money to get home To this date Never registered in CT

PAWS & CLAWS - KENTUCKY

NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM ADOPTERS OF SICK DOGS

RESCUE WOULD COME INTO CT EVERY OTHER WEEKEND WORK IN PARKING LOTS AT INFORMANT FROM KY WOULD LET DOAG KNOW WHEN SHE WAS ARRIVING

A GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE

RECEIVED FINES IN CT DID REGISTER AS AN IMPORTER FOUND LOCAL YOUNG GIRLS TO VOLUNTEER AT EVENTS

KENTUCKY RESCUE IN CT GRAVES COUNTY, Ky. - The Graves County Sheriff's Department along with the Animal Rescue Corps, served a search warrant at Paws and Claws in Wingo, Kentucky this morning. This is an animal shelter run out of a home. After receiving multiple complaints from neighbors, Animal Rescue Corps concluded a seven-month investigation on the business and presented their findings to the Graves County Sheriff's Department on Wednesday. A search warrant was secured and the search and seizure was executed this morning. The Graves County Sheriff's department had been getting complaints for more than two years, but could not build a good enough case against them. Authorities say at least 100 dogs have been found alive while multiple dogs were found dead. The owner of the business is Shannon Lacewell. She was not there at the time of the search and an arrest warrant on one count of animal cruelty has been issued. More counts could be added as the investigation continues.

PIGGY BACK Registered Importer has legal event at a shopping center Group from MA. Comes into event to pick up dogs from the transport. Piggybacks onto the event and illegally adopts out their dogs fresh off the transport Receives substantial fines

The Madison Sting

On Line Adoption

Driving On Caffeine And Cigarettes

Deplorable Conditions

Sick Animals

Donna Lee Caswell

Still In Action State of Georgia Has Been Chasing Her Across Numerous Counties Rumored To Be Back In New England

Illegal Rescues Has Ct address which is empty apartment Operates on line but based in Florida Uses monies for luxury life style

STANDARDS OF CARE

STANDARD OF CARE OF IMPORTED ANIMALS Condition of facilities Lighting Water facilities Ventilation Facility temperature Sanitation Animal Care

**Land Transport. a. Transport vehicles must be cleaned and sanitized to industry standards prior to transport. b. Proper climate control must be maintainedthe vehicle must be able to provide heat and or air conditioning to the animal housing areas and there must be sufficient air ventilation.

c. Animals should be transported in separate enclosures (except in the case of litters) with solid, leak-proof bottoms and adequate bedding. Animals should be able to comfortably stand up, lie down and turn around. d.Enclosures cannot be stacked more than two high and that the front of the enclosure must be kept free from being blocked to allow for proper ventilation. e. Ensure access to fresh water for every animal at breaks.

f. At a minimum, stop every 4-6 hours in a safe area to perform a visual check and to clean transport kennels, feed, and water the animals. g. Puppies should be fed a small meal or snack every 4-6 hours. h. Adult dogs should be walked or exercised on trips longer than 8 hours. i. Maximum transport time to a final destination facility should be no more than 12 hours. j. All trips should be made with a minimum of (2) drivers and sufficient personnel to appropriately handle and care for all animals.

k. There must be appropriate Identification on each animal and its carrier during transport. l. If an animal has recently been spayed or neutered, there has been other surgery, or it is recuperating from other medical treatment, the animal should have at least 48 hours recovery time before transport. Surgery other than spay/neuter is not recommended prior to transport.

**SOURCED FROM THE ASPCA AND THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF HUMANE SOCIETIES BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES.

NOT MORE THAN 25 Dogs and Cats may be imported to Connecticut at once unless such organization employs the services of a USDA licensed hauler or procures a USDA Hauler license.

GATEWAY TO NEW ENGLAND

REGISTRATIONS Over 130 organizations have registered

EVENTS ^) Ever

IS IT PERFECT ?

WHAT LAW IS?

OUT OF STATE ADOPTIONS

IF THE ADOPTION IS DONE OUT OF STATE AND NO MONIES WERE EXCHANGED WITHIN CT BORDERS.

OWNED ANIMAL

PROPOSED CHANGES

2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION SHORTEN THE AMOUNT OF VETERINARY VISITS MICRO CHIPPING OF ALL IMPORTED DOGS FOR ADOPTION CLARIFY THE LANGUAGE ON OUT OF STATE ADOPTIONS

WHAT HAPPENED RAY?

TOO MANY FINGERS IN THE PIE

THE BILL

WE HAVE NOT LOST SIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL GOAL

WORKING TOGETHER TO REACH ONE GOAL

HEALTHY ANIMALS IN HAPPY HOMES

[email protected] State Animal Control Division (860) 713-2506

IMPORTATION OF SHELTER DOGS & CATS INTO CONNECTICUT Ray Connors Chief Animal Control Officer...

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