N.Y.
Agriculture & Markets Law Section 424
General facility standards
1.
All facilities and all interior components of each animal shelter shall be constructed of materials that ensure a sound physical structure, and shall be maintained so as to protect animals from injury, ensure containment of animals within the property, and restrict unauthorized entry of other animals and humans to the building.2.
Indoor building surfaces in direct contact with animals shall be constructed of materials that are non-porous, water resistant, non-toxic and able to withstand regular cleaning and disinfection. Adequate drainage shall prevent the accumulation of water or other liquids on floors.3.
Electrical power and running water shall be maintained to all parts of the facility that house animals, with written emergency plans for back-up sources or relocation of the animals to a safe environment in the event of outages lasting more than four hours.4.
Readily accessible sinks shall be convenient to all animal care areas. Single service soap and towels or electric hand dryers shall be available at all hand-washing locations.5.
Ambient temperatures in all indoor animal housing areas shall be routinely maintained between sixty and eighty degrees fahrenheit.6.
Each animal shall be monitored and provided with an environment allowing maintenance of normal body temperature based on species, breed, body condition, medical condition, and age.7.
Each animal shelter shall document regular maintenance of air handling systems according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.8.
Ammonia levels shall be kept at less than two parts per million.9.
Each animal shelter shall provide separate housing areas, segregated by species and from uninfected, unexposed animals, for the housing of any animal with an infectious disease that may be transmitted within the shelter environment and requiring isolation as determined by a licensed veterinarian. Doors separating such rooms from the remainder of the facility shall be kept closed.10.
Each animal shelter shall minimize continuous exposure of personnel and animals to sound levels exceeding eighty-five decibels. Active measures shall be taken and documented to minimize sound levels in housing areas. Such measures may include modified kennel design, relocation of particularly loud animals, or use of visual barriers, sound baffling, and behavioral enrichment protocols. Each animal shelter shall use a decibel-meter at a minimum of once weekly to measure the level of sound in their kennels during cleaning and resting times. A record of such measurements and the date such measurements were recorded shall be maintained by each animal shelter.11.
Each animal shelter shall provide animal housing areas that provide adequate lighting and a means to maintain diurnal light cycles pursuant to an established schedule. All animals shall have a minimum of eight hours each of light and darkness within a twenty-four-hour cycle.12.
Each animal shelter shall establish and maintain a written plan for pest and vermin control including the following:(a)
Method of controlling rodent infestation that is effective and safe for both humans, and animals housed in the facility;(b)
A record or copies of service reports from outside service providers related to pest and vermin control that documents dates, methods, locations, and outcomes, if applicable; and(c)
Food stored in rodent proof containers to prevent spoilage, contamination, and infestation once opened, if packaging has been damaged, or as otherwise required by such plan.13.
The use of unattended drop boxes for intake of animals is prohibited. * NB Effective December 15, 2025
Source:
Section 424 — General facility standards, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/AGM/424 (updated Dec. 23, 2022; accessed Dec. 21, 2024).
