2.40(b)(3) (Critical) – Attending veterinarian and adequate veterinary care (dealers and exhibitors).
The facility failed to perform daily observations for five, thirteen-lined ground squirrels. According to the facility, on 02- May-2025, they found one animal deceased and were unable to locate the other four animals. The licensee stated that the last daily observation was performed on the animals approximately late February or early March. Failure to provide daily observations may result in delayed detection and treatment of animal health issues. Each dealer shall establish and maintain programs of adequate veterinary care that include daily observation of all animals to assess their health and well-being. Correct by ensuring that all animals receive daily observation to assess their health and well-being. Correct by 19-SEP-2025.
2.132(d) (Critical) – Procurement of dogs, cats, and other animals; dealers.
The facility knowingly accepted animals from an un-licensed individual who was required to be licensed. This individual did not hold a current, valid, and unsuspended USDA license or a one-time exemption. The facility stated that on May 23rd, 2025 they accepted three fox kits from an individual they knew needed to be licensed. Additionally, the licensee had previously reached out to the inspector asking how to obtain the animals from and unlicensed source. The inspector advised that a one-time exemption would need to be requested to meet regulatory requirements for both the licensee and the donor/seller. No dealer shall knowingly obtain any animal from any person who is required to be licensed but who does not hold a current, valid license or has not received a one-time exemption from USDA to sell the animals. Failure to ensure that sources of animals which are required to be licensed do indeed have a valid license prevents APHIS from ensuring the well-being of those animals at their originating facility. Correct by ensuring that animals are only obtained from sources that hold a current, valid, and unsuspended licensed or from individuals that are exempted from licensure under the AWA. Correct by 18-SEP-2025.
3.1(a) (Non-Critical) – Housing facilities, general.
There are multiple areas of the outdoor dog runs in the facility that require maintenance. There is an approximately 18- inch x 6-inch hole in the fencing that is separating two dog runs. The hole also creates multiple sharp points that are created by the damaged fence wire. Three other enclosures also have multiple areas of sharp points created by damaged fence wires. Failure to maintain all surfaces in the housing facility can create sharp edges/points that can cause injury to the animals. The facility must ensure that all housing facilities for dogs and cats must be designed and constructed so that they are structurally sound. They must be kept in good repair, and they must protect the animals from injury, contain the animals securely, and restrict other animals from entering. Correct by 22- September-2025.
3.84(a) (Non-Critical) – Cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping, and pest control.
The enclosure housing two adult white-throated capuchins and contains multiple areas of saturated bedding with an excessive amount of food waste and debris. Primary enclosures with excessive waste and debris can increase the prevalence of insects, pests, and disease hazards. The facility must ensure that excreta and food waste are removed from inside each indoor primary enclosure daily and from underneath them as often as necessary to prevent an excessive accumulation of feces and food waste, to prevent the nonhuman primates from becoming soiled, and to reduce disease hazards, insects, pests, and odors. Correct by, 22-September-2025
3.127(d) (Non-Critical) – Facilities, outdoor.
The facility does not have a continuous perimeter fence. Five raccoons are housed in enclosures within a building, but the garage door was open during the inspection. Additionally, two Jackals are housed in enclosures in another section of the same building but a door leading to the outside was open during inspection. Failure to provide an appropriate perimeter fence may result in animal escape or allow persons or other animals to interact with the regulated animals. All housing facilities for regulated animals must be enclosed by a perimeter fence that is of sufficient height to keep animals and unauthorized person out. Fences less than 8 feet high for potentially dangerous animals, such as but not limited to, large felines (e.g., lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, etc.), bears, wolves, rhinoceros, and elephants, or less than 6 feet high for the other animals must be approved in writing by the administrator. It must be of sufficient distance from the outside of the primary enclosure to prevent physical contact between animals inside the enclosure and animals or person outside the perimeter fence. Such fences less than 3 feet in distance from the primary enclosure must be approved in writing by the Administrator. Correct by ensuring that all species requiring a perimeter fence are enclosed with an adequate perimeter fence. Correct by 12-OCT-2025.
3.131(a) (Non-Critical) – Sanitation.
An enclosure housing an adult raccoon was in need of cleaning. The bottom floor of the enclosure has excreta reaching the wire flooring. The excreta was thick and brown in color. Accumulations of excreta can lead to contamination of the animals, may lead to spread of disease, and create odors. Excreta shall be removed from primary enclosures as often as necessary to prevent contamination of the animals contained therein and to minimize disease hazards and to reduce odors. Correct by ensuring that excreta is removed as often as necessary to prevent accumulation that may affect the animals. Correct by 22-SEP-2025.
3.131(c) (Non-Critical) – Sanitation.
Housekeeping problems were noted in an enclosure housing an adult raccoon. The outside of the enclosure contains numerous cobwebs, dust, and debris. The lack of housekeeping and sanitation may attract pests into the facility, result in unpleasant odors, and may contribute to the spread of disease. Premises (buildings and grounds) shall be kept clean and in good repair in order to protect the animals from injury, protect their health, and to facilitate the prescribed husbandry practices. Correct by ensuring that surfaces are kept clean and maintained in good repair. Correct by 22-SEP-2025. This inspection and exit interview were conducted with the Licensee. Additional Inspectors: Jonathan Tomkovitch, VETERINARY MEDICAL OFFICER n
