Subpart 3A - Transportation Standards, Dogs and Cats

Question 1

Carriers and handlers must not accept a dog or cag for transport in commerce more than how many hours before the scheduled departure time of the primary conveyance? How much can this be extended by?

Answer 1

4 hours. Can be extended by up to 2 hours.

Question 2

Carriers and IH must not accept a dog or cat for transport unless they are provided what information regarding the consignee?

Answer 2

Name, address, and telephone number

Question 3

Carriers and IH must not accept a dog or cat for transit unless the consigner certifies in writing what related to food and water? Where must this certification be placed? What must in include?

Answer 3

That the dog/cat was offered food and water during the 4 hours prior to delivery to the carrier or IH. Certification must be securely attached to outside of primary enclosure in a manner that makes it easy to notice and read. Must include consignor’s name and address, the tag number or tattoo assigned to each dog or cat, the time and date the animal was last fed and watered and the specific instructions for the next feedings and waterings for a 24-hour period, the consignor’s signature and the date and time the certificate was signed.

Question 4

When can a carrier or IH accept a dog/cat for transport if their animal holding area does not meet the minimum temp requirements provided by this section? Regardless, dogs and cats must not be exposed to temperatures lower than 45F for how long in a terminal facility? What information must this certificate provide?

Answer 4

If the consignor provides a certificate signed by a vet and dated no more than 10 days before animal delivery certifying that the animal is acclimated to lower temperatures. Not lower than 45F for 4 consecutive hours while in a terminal facility or lower than 45F for longer than 45 minutes when moving to or from terminal facilities or primary conveyances. Certificate must accompany the animal to its destination and include consignor’s name and address, tag or tattoo number, statement by a vet, dated no more than 10 days before transit, that to the best of their knowledge, each of the animals in the primary enclosure is acclimated to an air temp lower than 50F, but not lower than a minimum temp specified on the certificate, and signature of vet and date it was signed.

Question 5

When a primary enclosure containing a dog or cat has arrived at the terminal facility, how often must the carrier or IIH attempt to notify the consignee? What must be recorded? When is the animal returned to the consignor or consignor’s designee?

Answer 5

Upon arrival, and at least once in every 6-hour period thereafter. Include time, date, and method of all attempted and actual notifications and name of person who notifies or attempts to notify, written on the carrier/IH’s copy of the shipping document or copy that accompanies primary enclosure. If consignee cannot be notified w/i 24 hours, or if consignee is notified and does not accept delivery w/i 48 hours.

Question 6

Unless the transport enclosure is permanently fixed to the conveyance, what must be on the exterior of the enclosure?

Answer 6

Handles or handholds such that the enclosure can be lifted without tilting it, and no one will come into physical contact with the animal contained inside.

Question 7

Unless the transport enclosure is permanently affixed to the conveyance, how must it be marked?

Answer 7

Marked on top and on one or more side with the words “Live Animals” in letters at least 1 inch (2.5cm) high and with arrows or other markings to indicate the correct upright position of the primary enclosure.

Question 8

How must the floor of primary enclosures used for transport be constructed?

Answer 8

Solid, leak-proof bottom or removable leak-proof collection tray under a slatted/mesh floor. If slatted floor, it must be designed and constructed so that the animal cannot put any part of its body between the slats/mesh. Unless on raised floors, primary enclosure must contain enough previously unused litter to absorb and cover excreta.

Question 9

When must primary transport enclosures be cleaned and sanitized?

Answer 9

Cleaned and sanitized before each use. If animals in transit for longer than 24 hours, enclosures must be cleaned and any litter replaced, or other methods utilized, to prevent soiling of dogs and cats by body waste.

Question 10

If ventilation openings are located on two opposing walls of the primary enclosure, the openings must be at least what percent of the surface area of each wall? The total combined surface area of the ventilation openings must be at least what percent of the total combined surface areas of all the walls of the primary enclosure?

Answer 10

16% of the surface area of each wall. 14% of the the total combined surface area.

Question 11

If ventilation openings are on three walls, the openings on each of the two opposing walls must be at least what percent of the total surface area of the two walls? The ventilation openings on the third wall must be at least what percent of the total surface area of that wall? The total combined surface area of the ventilation openings must be at least what percent of the the total combined surface area?

Answer 11

8%, 50%, 14%

Question 12

Ventilation openings on all four walls must be at least whare percent of the total surface area of each wall? The total combined surface area of the openings must be at least what percent of the total combined surface areas of all the walls?

Answer 12

8%, 14%

Question 13

How much on the ventilation area must be located on the upper half of the primary enclosure?

Answer 13

At least one-third.

Question 14

Where are projecting rims placed on enclosures having ventilation openings? How large must the rims be?

Answer 14

Located on the exterior of each enclosure wall having a ventilation opening in order to prevent obstruction of the openings. Must be large enough to provide a minimum air circulation space of 0.75 in (1.9 cm) between the primary enclosure and anything the enclosure is placed against.

Question 15

If a primary enclosure is permanently affixed to the primary conveyance so that there is only a front ventilation opening, how must it be affixed? How must ventilation space must be provided?

Answer 15

So that the front ventilation opening cannot be blocked and the front ventilation opening opens directly to an unobstructed aisle or passageway inside the conveyance. Ventilation opening must be at least 90% of the total area of the front wall and covered with bars, wire mesh, or smooth expanded metal having air spaces.

Question 16

Can dogs and cats be transported in the same primary enclosure?

Answer 16

Must be of same species and in compatible groups. Dogs and cats that are private pets, of comparable size, and are compatible may be transported in the same primary enclosure.

Question 17

Who can puppies or kittens 4 months of age or less be transported with?

Answer 17

Not transported with adults other than their dames.

Question 18

Can female dogs or cats in estrus be transported with males?

Answer 18

No, animals in heat cannot be transported in the same primary enclosure as males

Question 19

How large must the primary enclosures used to transport dogs and cats be?

Answer 19

Large enough to ensure each animal has enough space to turn around normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position.

Question 20

When shipped via air carrier, how many dogs or cats 6 months of age or older can be transported in the same primary enclosure? How many live puppies, 8 weeks to 6 months of age and weighing over 20 pounds, may be shipped in a primary enclosure via air carrier? How many puppies or kittens, 8 weeks to 6 months of age, of compatible size, and weighing 20 pounds (9 kg) or less may be transported in the same primary enclosure? Weaned live puppies or kittens less than 8 weeks that are of compatible size, or less than 8 weeks that are littermates accompanied by the dam, may be transported how?

Answer 20

No more than one. No more than on puppy. Not more than two. In the same primary enclosure.

Question 21

When shipped via surface vehicle (ground and water) or privately owned aircraft, how many dogs or cats, 8 weeks of age or older and of comparable size, can be shipped in the same primary enclosure? How many weaned live puppies or kittens less than 8 weeks of age, or puppies or kittens less than 8 weeks that are littermates and accompanied by their dam, may be shipped in the same primary enclosure?

Answer 21

4. May be shipped together.

Question 22

Shipping documents that accompany shipments of dogs and cats may be held by the operator for the primary conveyance for what method. How must shipping documents be attached to the primary enclosure?

Answer 22

For surface transportation only. Securely attached in a readily accessible manner to the outside of any primary enclosure that is part of the shipment in a manner that allows them to be detached for exam and securely reattached. Instructions for administration of drugs, meds, and other special care must be attached to each primary enclosure so that they are easy to notice, detach, and reattach securely.

Question 23

The animal cargo space of the primary conveyances must be designed in a manner to prevent the entry of what into the primary conveyance during transport?

Answer 23

Engine exhuast.

Question 24

How must the primary enclosure containing dogs or cats be positioned in the animal cargo space?

Answer 24

In a manner that provides protection from the elements and allows each dog or cat enough air for normal breathing. Manner allows dogs and cats to be quickly and easily removed from conveyance.

Question 25

During air transport, how must the temperature be maintained in the cargo areas? When must the cargo area be pressurized?

Answer 25

Must be heated or cooled as necessary to maintain ambient temp and humidity. Must be pressurized when primary conveyance used for air transport is not on the group, unless flying under 8,000 ft.

Question 26

How does temperature and auxiliary ventilation requirements for transport compare to those for housing?

Answer 26

The same.

Question 27

How often must dogs or cats over 16 weeks of age be offered food during transport? Under 16 weeks of age? Water? When does the time start?

Answer 27

Over 16 weeks: Food every 24 hours
Less than 16 weeks: Food at least once every 12 hours
Water: Once every 12 hours
Time starts from when the animal was last offered food and potable water before transport began for facilities using their own primary conveyance. For carriers and IH, applies to date and time on the certificate provided.

Question 28

Dogs and cats must be provided food and potable water within how many hours of being transported?

Answer 28

4 hours

Question 29

Food and water receptables must be securely attached inside the primary enclosure for transport in such a way that allows what?

Answer 29

Receptacles can be filled from the outside of the enclosure without opening the door, but does not allow the animal to escape.

Question 30

How often must dogs and cats be observed in ground transport? What happens if an animal is in obvious physical distress?

Answer 30

At least once every 4hours. Obtain any vet care needed at the closest available veterinary facility.

Question 31

How often must animals be observed in air transit?

Answer 31

At least once every 4 hours if cargo area is accessible during flight. If not accessible, must observe animals whenever they are loaded, unloaded, and whenever the animal cargo space is otherwise accessible.

Question 32

When can dogs and cats be removed from the primary enclosure in transit?

Answer 32

Only during cleaning of primary enclosures.

Question 33

When do the transportation regulations apply?

Answer 33

Until a consignee takes physical delivery or until the animal is returned to the consignor.

Question 34

Where must the temperature in a terminal facility be measured at?

Answer 34

Outside any primary enclosure at a point not more than 3ft from the outside wall of a primary enclosure approximately midway up the sides of the enclosure.

Question 35

Dogs and cats must not be exposed to an ambient temperature above 85F for more than how long when being moved to or from a primary conveyance or a terminal facility?

Answer 35

45 minutes

Question 36

Transporting devices on which live dogs or cats are placed to move them must be covered to protect the animal when outdoor temps fall below what? Dogs/cats must not be exposed to temps below 45F for how long? Unless what?

Answer 36

50F, 45 minutes, unless accompanied by a certificate of acclimation to lower temps.

Question 37

Can primary enclosures containing live animals be placed on conveyor belts?

Answer 37

A primary enclosure must not be placed on unattended conveyor belts at any time, except when placed in inclined conveyor ramps used to load and unload the aircraft if an attendant is present at each end of the conveyor.