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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WELCOME
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What We Do
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Animal Welfare Perspective
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PUBLIC PERSPECTIVE
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State Animal Control Division Seven State Animal Control
Officers Supervisor Animal Control Division Operates under the
Bureau of Regulation & Inspection
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Pet Shop Inspections & Complaint Investigations
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Regulate and Inspect Grooming Facilities - Commercial Kennels
Training Facilities and Dog Pounds
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Rabies
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Animal Cruelty Investigation
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Second Chance Large Animal Facility
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Rescue & Rehabilitation
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Disaster Response
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Dog Damage To Livestock
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LETS GO!
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Public Act No. 11-187 AN ACT EXTENDING CERTAIN PET SHOP
LICENSEE REQUIREMENTS TO PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT IMPORT
ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION.
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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.
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WHY
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Dogs Coming Into CT Heartworm Positive Dogs With Infested With
Internal Parasites Which Are Not Common To The Northeast Animals
Incubating Disease
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Couple Kept Animals In Deplorable Conditions. Animals Seized In
Deplorable Conditions. Rescued Animals From Southern US.. Christmas
Puppies Imported With Parvovirus.
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PARKING LOT ADOPTIONS
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NOWHERE TO TURN
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IMPORTER Defining
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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.
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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;
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Sec. 22-344-16a. Structural standards. Sec. 22-344-17a.
Enclosures.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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HOW NOT TO FALL UNDER THE PET SHOP DEFINITION PET SHOP
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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.
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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.
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Out Of State Must have a Connecticut based agent Name/ Address/
Phone/
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ONE REGISTRATION COVERS: EMPLOYEES & VOLUNTEERS
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AFTER THE ANIMALS COME INTO CT
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HEALTH CERTIFICATES HEALTH CERTIFICATE ONE GREAT PET DR. I.
Lovepets
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( 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.
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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.
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ALL VETERINARY SERVICES RENDERED FOR EACH IMPORTED DOG OR CAT
MUST BE KEPT ON FILE FOR THREE YEARS FILE MUST BE KEPT
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ANIMAL OR FILE INSPECTION
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No Need To Go Into A Private Residence
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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.
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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
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HOW WELL IS IT WORKING?
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OCTOBER 1, 2011
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SUSPECT PARVOVIRUS
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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HELP WAS OFFERED TO HOUSE THE DOGS Refused Help Was counting on
the money to get home To this date Never registered in CT
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PAWS & CLAWS - KENTUCKY
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NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM ADOPTERS OF SICK DOGS
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RESCUE WOULD COME INTO CT EVERY OTHER WEEKEND WORK IN PARKING
LOTS AT INFORMANT FROM KY WOULD LET DOAG KNOW WHEN SHE WAS
ARRIVING
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A GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE
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RECEIVED FINES IN CT DID REGISTER AS AN IMPORTER FOUND LOCAL
YOUNG GIRLS TO VOLUNTEER AT EVENTS
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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.
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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
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The Madison Sting
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On Line Adoption
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Driving On Caffeine And Cigarettes
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Deplorable Conditions
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Sick Animals
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Donna Lee Caswell
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Still In Action State of Georgia Has Been Chasing Her Across
Numerous Counties Rumored To Be Back In New England
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Illegal Rescues Has Ct address which is empty apartment
Operates on line but based in Florida Uses monies for luxury life
style
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STANDARDS OF CARE
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STANDARD OF CARE OF IMPORTED ANIMALS Condition of facilities
Lighting Water facilities Ventilation Facility temperature
Sanitation Animal Care
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**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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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**SOURCED FROM THE ASPCA AND THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF HUMANE
SOCIETIES BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES.
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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.
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GATEWAY TO NEW ENGLAND
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REGISTRATIONS Over 130 organizations have registered
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EVENTS ^) Ever
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IS IT PERFECT ?
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WHAT LAW IS?
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OUT OF STATE ADOPTIONS
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IF THE ADOPTION IS DONE OUT OF STATE AND NO MONIES WERE
EXCHANGED WITHIN CT BORDERS.
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OWNED ANIMAL
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PROPOSED CHANGES
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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