Michael Weaver

No violations recorded (clean inspection).

2.40(b)(3) (Non-Critical) – Attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (dealers and exhibitors).
One female brindle French bulldog had a roundish fleshy pink mass in the corner of the right eye near the nose, consistent with a prolapsed third eyelid (also known as cherry eye). The applicant had identified the issue but had not contacted the attending veterinarian for guidance on treatment. Additionally, the program of veterinary care did not address cherry eye. Failure to notify the attending veterinarian can lead to unnecessary animal discomfort. Each dealer must ensure that animals are observed daily for any problems with their health or well-being and notify the attending veterinarian when issues are found so that the animals can receive appropriate veterinary care. The applicant must contact the attending veterinarian or follow the program of veterinary care when medical issues are identified.

2.50(a)(1) (Non-Critical) – Time and method of identification.
The applicant had two adult dogs onsite that were not identified. The dogs did not have a tattoo, microchip, or collar. The lack of identification hinders inspections and makes tracing difficult. Proper identification is needed to rapidly identify and trace animals in a potential disease outbreak. All live dogs held on the premises, purchased, or otherwise acquired, sold or otherwise disposed of, or removed from the premises for delivery, or for sale, shall be identified by an official tag of the type described in 2.51, or shall be identified by a distinctive and legible tattoo marking, or microchip. The applicant must ensure all dogs on the premises are identified via approved methods such as a collar, tattoo, or microchip.

2.75(a)(1) (Non-Critical) – Records: Dealers and exhibitors.
The applicant had four dogs onsite that were not listed on the facility’s inventory record. Additionally, the applicant was unable to provide the age or date of birth for all four dogs. Accurate record keeping is crucial for ensuring a thorough inspection and needed to rapidly identify and trace animals in a potential disease outbreak. Each dealer shall make, keep, and maintain records or forms which fully and correctly disclose the information in 2.75(a)(1)(i) through 2.75(a)(1)(ix) for each dog purchased or otherwise acquired, owned, held, or otherwise in his or her possession or under his or her control, or which is transported, euthanized, sold, or otherwise disposed of by that dealer. The applicant must ensure accurate records are created and maintained for all dogs at the facility.

3.6(c)(1)(i) (Non-Critical) – Primary enclosures.
The applicant had two dogs singly housed indoors in kennels that did not meet the required minimum amount of floor space. The kennels measured approximately 2ft by 3ft providing approximately 6 square feet. 1. A female apricot mini-golden doodle, microchip number 991003000839891, measured approximately 30 inches long. Thus, requiring approximately 9 square feet of floor space. 2. A female apricot mini-golden doodle, no microchip, measured approximately 25 inches long. Thus, requiring approximately 6.7 square feet of floor space. Failure to meet the required minimum amount of floor space can lead to unnecessary animal discomfort and distress. Each dog must be housed in a primary enclosure meeting the minimum amount of floor space as calculated by taking the square sum of the length of the dog in inches plus 6 inches then divide the product by 144. The applicant must ensure that primary enclosures used to house dogs meet the required minimum amount of floor space.

3.6(c)(1)(iii) (Non-Critical) – Primary enclosures.
The applicant had four dogs singly housed indoors in kennels that did not meet the minimum interior height requirement of 6 inches higher than the head of the dog. 1. A female apricot mini-golden doodle, microchip number 991003000839891, was housed in an enclosure measuring approximately 17 inches tall. The dog measured approximately 26 inches tall. Thus, requiring approximately 32 inches of interior height. This dog was unable to sit or stand in the enclosure. The dog had to constantly remain hunched over or lay down to prevent her head from hitting the top of the enclosure. 2. A female apricot mini-golden doodle, no microchip, was housed in an enclosure measuring approximately 17 inches tall. The dog measured approximately 17 inches tall. Thus, requiring approximately 23 inches of interior height. 3. A female cream French bulldog, microchip number 941000023655479, was housed in an enclosure measuring approximately 17 inches tall. The dog measured approximately 14 inches tall. Thus, requiring approximately 20 inches of interior height. 4. A female brindle French bulldog, no microchip, was housed in an enclosure measuring approximately 20 inches tall. The dog measured approximately 16 inches tall. Thus, requiring approximately 22 inches of interior height. Failure to provide the required minimum interior height for an enclosure can lead to unnecessary animal discomfort and distress. The interior height of a primary enclosure must be at least 6 inches higher than the head of the tallest dog in the enclosure when it is in normal standing position. The applicant must ensure that primary enclosures meet the minimum interior height requirement for all dogs.

3.8(a) (Non-Critical) – Exercise for dogs.
The applicant had four dogs singly housed indoors and stated that exercise in the play yard was not being offered. All four enclosures measured approximately 2ft by 3ft and did not meet the exercise floor space requirement for singly housed dogs which is two times the required floor space for that dog as indicated by 3.6(c)(1). 1. A female apricot mini-golden doodle, microchip number 991003000839891, measured approximately 30 inches long. Thus, requiring approximately a minimum of 18 square feet of floor space. 2. A female apricot mini-golden doodle, no microchip, measured approximately 25 inches long. Thus, requiring approximately a minimum of 13.4 square feet of floor space. 3. A female cream French bulldog, microchip number 941000023655479, measured approximately 20 inches long. Thus, requiring approximately a minimum of 9.4 square feet of floor space. 4. A female brindle French bulldog, no microchip, measured approximately 19 inches long. Thus, requiring approximately a minimum of 8.7 square feet of floor space. Failure to provide enough space for exercise to individually housed dogs can lead to psychological distress and discomfort. Dealers must develop, document, and follow an appropriate plan to provide dogs with the opportunity to exercise. The plan must be approved by the attending veterinarian. The plan must include written standard procedures to be followed. The plan must be made available during inspection. The plan, at a minimum, must provide dogs over 12 weeks of age, except bitches with litters, two times the required floor space for that dog as indicated by 3.6(c)(1). The applicant must ensure singly housed dogs receive exercise time in the play yard or that the enclosure size is greater than two times the required floor space for that dog.

3.13(a)(3) (Non-Critical) – Veterinary care for dogs.
The facility’s program of veterinary care states that 10% of adult dogs will be heartworm tested annually and 5% of adult dogs will have a fecal sample tested annually. The applicant provided records for heartworm and fecal testing in November 2021 but did not have records for year 2022. The inspector contacted the attending veterinarian which confirmed that the facility’s last heartworm and fecal testing were November 2021. Failure to follow the sampling frequency provided by the attending veterinarian regarding heartworms and intestinal parasites could impact the health and well-being of the dogs. Each dealer must follow an appropriate program of veterinary care for dogs that is developed, documented in writing, and signed by the attending veterinarian. Dealers must keep and maintain the written program and make it available for inspection. The written program of veterinary care must address the requirements for adequate veterinary care for every dealer in 2.40 and must also include vaccinations for contagious and/or deadly diseases of dogs (including rabies, parvovirus, and distemper), and sampling and treatment of parasites and other pests (including fleas, worms, coccidia, giardia, and heartworm) in accordance with a schedule approved by the attending veterinarian. The applicant must ensure that the sampling schedule provided by the attending veterinarian is followed. This is a 1st Re-License Inspection for a Class “A” license. The inspection and exit briefing were conducted with the applicant. All items must be in compliance within 2 more inspections or by 30-JULY-2023 or the applicant will forfeit the license fee and must wait 6 months to reapply. Please contact your inspector to schedule your next Re-License Inspection. Regulated activity can continue under your existing USDA license until it expires. n

No violations recorded (clean inspection).

2.40(b)(3) (Non-Critical) – Attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (dealers and exhibitors).
Haddy, a chocolate merle female cocker spaniel, approximately 2.5 years old with microchip #991003000994048, had an ear issue. The skin of the inner right ear was slightly reddened with a mild amount of dark waxy brown debris. There was no odor or head shaking observed. The licensee had not identified the issue. Failure to conduct thorough daily observations can lead to delayed identification of animal issues and unnecessary animal pain or discomfort. Daily observations of all animals to assess their health and well-being must be conducted. Daily observations may be accomplished by someone other than the attending veterinarian provided that a mechanism of direct and frequent communication is required so that timely and accurate information on problems of animal health, behavior, and well-being is conveyed to the attending veterinarian.

3.11(b) (Non-Critical) – Cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control.
There were approximately 12 feeders, used by approximately 23 dogs, that were excessively dirty. The feeders had a varying degree of brown crusty material consistent with caking of feed. The licensee stated that it had been a few weeks since the feeders were cleaned and sanitized. Inadequate cleaning of feeders can lead to pest control concerns and disease transmission affecting animal health and well-being. Used primary enclosures and food and water receptacles for dogs must be sanitized at least once every two weeks using one of the methods prescribed in 3.11(b)(3), and more often if necessary to prevent an accumulation of dirt, debris, food waste, excreta, and other disease hazards.

3.13(b)(1) (Non-Critical) – Veterinary care for dogs.
The licensee is not documenting routine husbandry such as toe nail trims and grooming, that is performed on the dogs. Failure to properly document and maintain medical records prevents USDA inspectors from ensuring an adequate program of veterinary care and inhibits their ability to evaluate animal welfare. Dealers must keep copies of medical records for dogs and make the records available for APHIS inspection. These records must include the identity of the animal, including identifying marks, tattoos, or tags on the animal and the animal’s breed, sex, and age and document routine husbandry, such as vaccinations, preventive medical procedures, or treatment, performed on all animals. This inspection and exit interview were conducted with the licensee. n