citation_inspection

The bases of the metal, exterior walls of the barn housing goats, pigs, and Jacobs sheep are severely rusted due to pooling water that accumulates against the walls during rainstorms. Pooling and standing water cause the rusting of the metal thus leaving the walls structurally unsound and in disrepair. Animals could injure themselves on sharp rusted edges. Housing facilities must be maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury and to contain the animals. Wolf building The three exterior and three interior metal doors of the wolf building have severely rusted bases on each side of the jambs. These jambs are completely rusted through, leaving the doors in disrepair. One of the interior doors is the entrance of the room that is used to hold a wolf when necessary. The licensee must ensure that housing facilities are structurally sound and kept in good repair to protect the animals from injury. TO BE CORRECTED BY: DECEMBER 12, 2021

BIG CAT BUILDING There is an approximately 9-inch round hole in the base of the cement drain that exposes the earth below. This same drain is not flush with the pipe that sends water out of the building. It is several inches below the pipe, causing urine and other organic materials to pool in the drain. The APHIS official could smell the waste accumulated in the drain. Foul odors could affect the health and well-being of the jaguars and cougars housed in this building. The facility must implement a method for the removal of animal and food wastes as to minimize odors and disease hazards. TO BE CORRECTED BY: AUGUST 12, 2021

The APHIS official observed water pooling against the left side of the housing structure for the goats, pigs, and Jacobs sheep. The water was also pooling across half of these same enclosures, and in the front corners of the exhibit stalls on the right side of the housing structure. The animals are subject to water encroaching inside the stalls causing the animals discomfort due to wet bedding. The facility must establish and implement a suitable method to rapidly eliminate excess water. TO BE CORRECTED BY: AUGUST 5, 2021

The chain link fence next to the shelter in the outdoor enclosure housing 2 bison and 1 elk is in disrepair. The whole fence is pushed outward and the middle support pole closest to the shelter is bent. Along the whole bottom of the fence it is stretched upward away from the bottom support pole. There are some areas of the fence that the bottom is curled inward with sharp point protruding towards the animals. Next to the shelter the bottom of the fence is only being held by two strands of stretched fence attached to a lower support pole. Because of the stretching of the fence and not being properly secured it has large holes and gaps along the bottom. A work order was submitted on 9/25/2020, but there has been no repair work done. Inspector was told since the submission of the work order this area of the fence has gotten worse. The sharp points, gaps and large holes in the fence could cause an injury to the animals and if not corrected could potentially allow an animal to escape. Construct and maintain all facilities so that they are structurally sound, in good repair to contain and protect the animal. To be corrected by: July 13, 2021 This inspection and exit briefing were conducted with the Animal Curator. End Section

The camel barn and entrance to the barn have excessive accumulation of excreta. Allowing the excreta to accumulate increases the possibility of disease hazards. Excreta shall be removed from the primary enclosure as often as necessary to prevent contamination and minimize disease hazard. Correct by July 10, 2021.

The tan and brown rabbit housed with two other rabbits in a rabbit hutch has an eye issue in its left eye. The tissue around the left eye is very swollen, and there is a small amount of yellow/green discharge. The rabbit also scratches the left side of its face. The head zookeeper had noticed this eye problem the day before inspection and stated that the rabbit had a fight with one of the other rabbits, but had not notified the licensee, or made contact with the attending veterinarian. Each exhibitor shall establish and maintain programs of adequate veterinary care that include: Daily observation of all animals to assess their health and well-being; If daily observations are conducted by someone other that the attending veterinarian that a method 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. All problems of animal health, behavior, and well-being must be conveyed to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering. This inspection and exit interview were conducted with the licensee. End Section

A responsible adult was not available to accompany APHIS Officials during the inspection process at 1:30 PM on July 7th 2021. Called and spoke to licensee who stated they were not available for an inspection. Additional Inspectors: Lisa Ekman, VETERINARY MEDICAL OFFICEREnd Section

The domestic cats maintained by the licensee still do not have official identification as required by the Animal Welfare Act. The licensee currently identifies the adult domestic cats by name on the APHIS 7005 records but none of the 7 adult cats have official USDA identification. The licensee stated that she has spoken with her attending veterinarian and has plans to microchip all the adult animals. Not having proper identification can cause misidentification of animals on inspections, veterinary care documentation, acquisition and disposition records. In addition, it makes positive identification of medical treatment and sales impossible to track. The Licensee must ensure that an official USDA sequentially numbered tag is placed on the animal with a collar or kept on the door of the animas cage or run, or an approved tattoo or microchip is used to positively identify the animals.

Surfaces and housing facilities for the domestic cats are not being cleaned or sanitized often enough. One outdoor enclosure shelter box still contains old hay that, according to the licensee, was added over the past winter. This hay appears dirty and soiled. That outdoor enclosure also has areas of painted wood supports with dirt covering their surfaces. The room housing the indoor enclosures with queens and their kittens has spilled litter and food on the floor. Hard surfaces in contact with the cats must be spot cleaned daily and sanitized in accordance with 3.11(b)(2). Additionally, other facility surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized when necessary to satisfy generally accepted husbandry standards and practices. Infrequent cleaning and sanitation of housing facilities exposes the animals to unnecessary disease hazards, odors, insects and pests. Correct by removing old, dirty hay from the shelter box, cleaning hard surfaces and housing facilities, and implementing a cleaning and sanitization schedule in accordance with 3.11(b)(2). Correct by: July 12, 2021

The outdoor domestic cat enclosures, housing a total of six adult domestic cats and five kittens, still do not have a litter box or other designated receptacle for litter. Lacking a litter box, the animals in these enclosures urinate and defecate directly onto the soil or mulch. Receptacles containing clean litter are required for cats to engage in species-specific behaviors such as covering their excreta and provide them the ability to avoid their own wastes. Failing to have receptacles for litter prevents appropriate husbandry including removal of feces as often as necessary. The Licensee must ensure that all primary enclosures containing cats have enough receptacles with sufficient clean litter to contain excreta and body waste.

Although sanitation at the facility has greatly improved, there are several areas that still need attention. The Patagonian cavy enclosure has a mild amount of fecal matter present and the shelter box contains old, dirty hay from the winter. There is still debris including old hay and Styrofoam pieces present in the enclosure housing two fennec foxes. Additionally, at least three outdoor metal enclosures have wire walls with large amounts of trapped fur and cob/dustwebs. Infrequent cleaning and sanitation of housing facilities exposes the animals to unnecessary disease hazards, odors, insects and pests. Correct by ensuring that all enclosures are being cleaned on a routine basis and as often as necessary to minimize disease hazards and satisfy acceptable cleanliness standards. This inspection and exit interview were conducted with the facility representative. Additional Inspectors: Rachel Perez-Baum, VETERINARY MEDICAL OFFICEREnd Section

Housekeeping. There is a buildup of hair, feces, and old feed in the bottom four enclosures along the wall that are no longer in use. Animal facilities must be kept clean to ensure good quality of air for the animals and to prevent disease risks. Ineffective cleaning can expose the rabbits to disease hazards and health problems. Correct by ensuring premises are kept clean including empty enclosures to help support a level of general cleanliness and to support good animal husbandry. Correct by July 10, 2021. This inspection and exit interview were conducted with the facility representative. End Section

There were numerous flies and small gnats in the indoor guinea pig facility. There were 3 windows open with no screens and a garage door was open with only the lower approximately 3 feet screened. There were no methods of fly or insect control being utilized. Excessive pests such as flies and gnats can cause discomfort to the animals and result in increased disease spread. An effective program for the control of flies and other insects must be established and maintained. Correct by: July 21, 2021 This inspection and exit interview were conducted with the licensee. End Section

Female Shih tzu (tag #479) is showing signs of severe heat stress including open mouth breathing, high rate of respiration, the tongue extending from the mouth beyond the teeth, and reddened skin. The dog was making a loud raspy noise when she breathed and appeared to be gasping for breath. The dog is also expressing other behaviors indicating she may be suffering from the ambient temperature such as laying sprawled across the floor and weak, unstable and uncoordinated movements especially in her hind end. The dog was located in an outdoor shelter and had difficulty exiting the shelter ultimately dragging her hind legs over the lip of the shelter entrance. Temperatures taken inside the shelter ranged from 91 degrees F to 93 degrees F with a heat index of 107 degrees F to 109 degrees F. The facility representative stated the dog had housed inside the sheltered building and moved to the outdoor enclosure that morning and the dog had not been unstable or had difficulty with her hind legs before. The facility representative was not aware of the dog's condition until the dog was found by the inspectors. Heat stress could be detrimental to the health of the dog and can even result in death. Female Cavalier spaniel (#492) has a large raw lesion on the inside of the right hind leg. The area is devoid of hair, is wet, and appears inflammed and slightly reddened. Other areas of skin irritation are located along the inside of the left leg with some hair loss and slight reddening of the skin. The hair around the affected areas is heavily matted, wet, tight to the skin and has thick dark colored material trapped in it. Heavily matted hair is also located along the length of the underside of the tail and has fresh and dried fecal material coating it. A greenish colored discharge is located on the lower eyelids. Both wet and dry discharge is attached to the hair of the lower eyelids and a small amount is attached to the interior section of the upper eyelids. Some straw was observed to be stuck in the discharge beneath the right eye. The dog also has long rope-like mats attached to both ears and the mats are solid and coated with a dried grey material. The facility representative was not aware of this dog's condition. Abnormal skin and eye conditions could cause pain and discomfort to the dog. Matted hair could also cause discomfort and pain and could also lead to further health issues. Female Cocker Spaniel (tag #309) has poor ear health and a matted hair coat. The inside of the left ear is moderately reddened, inflammed, and wet with a yellow liquid coating some of the ear's surfaces and attached from one surface to another. The hair around the underside of the ear is wet with a dark brown material coating it. Long ropes of matted hair are attached to the top of the dog's head and in front of the dog's left eye. The licensee was not aware of this dog's condition. Poor ear health could be painful to the dog and matted hair could also cause discomfort and pain to the animal as well as lead to further health issues. Female Pekingese (tag #460) has an abnormal skin condition and matted hair. Multiple lesions were identified across the dog's back in front of the tail head. The areas are hairless, slightly reddened and wet. One affected area appeared as a hole in the dog's back surrounded by heavily matted hair. The dog appeared sensitive and began to struggle only when the affected areas were gently inspected. Excessively matted hair is located along the backside of both hindlegs and tail. The hair is matted into large clumps. A large engorged tick is located on the dog's left ear and a small tick was located on the right side of the muzzle. The facility representative did not know what the treatment plan is for ticks and was not aware of the dog's condition. Abnormal skin conditions could cause pain and discomfort to the dog. Matted hair could also cause discomfort and pain and could also lead to further health issues. Ticks can transmit disease that can be detrimental to the health of the dog. Female Cavalier spaniel (tag #444) has an abnormal condition of the skin and eyes. On both sides of the dog along the top of the rib cage and back towards the hips are large hairless lesions. The lesions appear dark red in the center and lighter red around their edges. A small amount of dark brown scab-like material is located on the surface of the lesions. A hairless lesion is also on the surface of the right ear. The lesion is dark red in the center and lighter red along the edges. A section of dark brown scab-like material is located in the center of the lesion. Another lesion was found on top of the dog's head. The lesion is hairless, slightly reddened with scab-like material on the surface. Hair was seen in the dog's mouth attached to the upper right cheek teeth along the gum line. When the hair was removed it revealed fresh blood along the gum line. A greyish-white discharge is located on the lower eyelid of the left eye. Heavily matted hair is located on the backside of the dog's hindlegs and contains a large clump of dark brown fecal material. The facility representative is not aware of the condition of the dog. Abnormal skin and eye conditions could cause pain and discomfort to the dog. Matted hair could also cause discomfort and pain and could also lead to further health issues. Each dealer shall use appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries. The above mentioned dogs must be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and to develop an effective treatment plan. The licensee must provide adequate veterinary care to the dogs at all times. The facility representative had the dogs transported to a veterinarian at the time of the inspection. Female Shiba Inu (tag #360) has excessively long toenails on all four feet. The toenails splayed out sideways when the dog was standing on the flooring of the enclosure. The licensee and facility representative were unaware of the last time the dog had her nails trimmed and were not aware that the toenails were overgrown. Excessively long toenails could cause pain and discomfort as well as affect the dog's natural gait. Each dealer shall use appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries. This dog must have her toenails trimmed to an appropriate length and the licensee must ensure the plan to maintain properly trimmed toenails is effective. On June 2, 2021 the licensee had a prescription of Cephalexin and Rimadyl filled by the attending veterinarian for a dog named "Misty". Instructions for the Cephalexin were to give 1 pill twice daily for 14 days with 28 pills prescribed. On the day of the inspection, 23 Cephalexin pills were still remaining in the bottle. Instruction for the Rimadyl were to give 1 pill twice daily for 14 days with 14 pills prescribed. On the day of the inspection, 14 pills Rimadyl pills were still remaining in the bottle. Failure to follow treatment plans and give medications as prescribed could interfere with the dog's ability to recover from medical concerns and could lead to further health complications. Each dealer shall use appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries. The licensee must fully and completely follow all treatment plans, including the giving of medications, at all times in order to ensure the dogs are receiving adequate veterinary care. The vaccines for the dogs are inappropriately stored. The temperature of the refrigerator containing the vaccines is 54 degrees F per the inspector's Kestrel. The following vaccines were found inside the refrigerator: Numerous containers of NeoPar Parvo virus vaccine which are to be stored between 35 to 45 degrees F. Numerous containers of Zoetis Canine Distemper-Adenovirus Type 2-Parainfluenza-Parvovirus which are to be stored between 35 to 45 degrees F. Numerous containers of NeoVac Canine Distemper-Adenovirus Type 2 which are to be stored between 35 to 45 degrees F. Numerous containers of Nobivac Canine Distemper-Adenovirus Type 2-Parainfluenza-Parvovirus which are to be stored between 35 to 46 degrees F. Numerous containers of Nobivac Canine Distemper-Parvovirus which are to be stored between 35-45 degrees F. Two containers of Nobivac Rabies vaccine which is to be stored between 35-46 degrees F. Failure to store vaccines at appropriate temperatures may interfere with their effectiveness resulting in an increased risk of disease. Each dealer shall use appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries. The licensee must store all vaccines at the required temperatures to ensure that all dogs are receiving adequate veterinary care.

Cage cards are used as identification for every puppy. Throughout the facility numerous litters of weaned puppies are co- mingled and in numerous unweaned litters contained foster puppies whith no relation to the female raising them. One female Pomsky has a litter containing six puppies from three different dams. The DOB on the cage card is for her puppy, but no DOB is documented on the cage card for the other puppies though it was thought by the facility representative that the dates of birth for all the puppies were within 2 days of each other. There is also no identification information for the female Pomsky on the cage card and no identifying information of the original dams and which puppy belongs to which dam. The information provided by the cage cards did not allow the inspectors to determine which puppies belonged to the adult female residing in the enclosure and which additional adult females were dams to the other puppies. An incomplete cage card does not meet the requirements for identification. A class "A" dealer must identify all dogs under 16 weeks old by the use of an official tag, a distinctive and legible tattoo, or a plastic-type collar containing the required information. APHIS Officials also accept microchips or written identification attached to the enclosure (cage cards) for puppies under 16 weeks old provided that these puppies are maintained in distinct litters and provided that the cage card contains all of the required information. The consistent movement of puppies from one mother to another does not constitute maintenance of puppies in distinct litters and failure to individually identify puppies prevents APHIS Officials from tracking animals movement either in the facility or following sale. The licensee must ensure that each animal's identity is known with certainty by appropriate individual identification or by maintaining puppies less than 16 weeks old in distinct groups that are not co-mingled and using appropriate cage cards with all required information. To be corrected by: July 23, 2021

APHIS Form 7005 (Acquisition of Dogs and Cats on Hand) is incomplete. There is no acquisition information for 231 dogs. One dog has the name of the individual the animal was acquired from, but there is no address. Failure to provide the acquisition information does not allow APHIS officials to trace the movements of dogs. Each dealer shall make, keep and maintain records which fully discloses the name and address of the person from whom a dog was purchased or otherwise acquired. The licensee must add the name and address for each dog to APHIS Form 7005. The licensee must ensure that APHIS Form 7005 is complete and contains the required information at all times. To be corrected by: July 23, 2021

The facility uses cage cards as inventory record keeping for puppies. The majority of the cage cards in use for the current litters of puppies are incomplete. No unique number is assigned to each puppy, there is no description of each puppy including the sex of the puppy, and the dam's tag number is missing. A complete cage card is necessary for APHIS officials to identify puppies and to track their movements. Each dealer shall make, keep, and maintain records that fully disclose a description of each animal. The licensee must create complete cage cards containing all the required information. To be corrected by: 16-July-2021

One-hundred twenty-eight puppies have no transport information documented on their disposition forms. Transport information must be provided to allow APHIS officials to monitor the movement of animals from their point of origin to their final destination and to identify individuals who may have had direct contact with the puppy during transport. Disposition forms must include all required transportation information including method of transport and the name of the carrier or intermediate handler. The licensee must ensure that all disposition forms include the required transportation information.

The Program of Veterinary Care could not be located for review by the inspectors. During the inspection, one dog was identified which had ticks attached to her ear and face. The facility representative did not know the plan for treating or preventing ticks and the plan could not be reviewed due to the missing Program of Veterinary Care. Multiple dogs were identified with heavily matted hair coats and one dog was identified with severely overgrown toenails, but the plans to maintain healthy and unmatted hair coats and properly trimmed toenails are located in the Program of Veterinary Care, so could not be reviewed. Failure to provide the Program of Veterinary Care to the inspectors for review does not ensure the dogs are receiving adequate veterinary care which could have a negative impact on their health and well-being. The Exercise Plan for Dogs could not be located for review by the inspectors. Failure to provide the written exercise plan for review does not allow the inspectors to ensure the dogs are receiving the appropriate exercise which could cause their health and well-being to suffer. Each dealer shall allow APHIS officials to examine records required to be kept by the Act and the regulations. The licensee must provide the Program of Veterinary Care and the Exercise Plan for Dogs for review during the inspection in order to allow the inspectors to determine the animals are receiving the required exercise and veterinary care. To be corrected by: July 23, 2021

At least three of the outdoor enclosures, containing approximately 25 dogs, have areas along the fence line where the dogs have dug underneath including at least one freshly dug hole. Many of these gaps have been covered or filled using boards, wire, or concrete blocks. The decaying carcass of a dead dog was found outside one these enclosures. The facility representative explained that the dog, a mini Australian Shepherd, had crawled under the fence through one of the gaps between two adjacent enclosures, and when it entered the adjacent enclosure, it was attacked and killed by the dogs housed there. Within the sheltered housing building there is one enclosure, containing an adult female dog and her seven puppies, that has an opening cut in the fencing that will accommodate a self-feeder. The opening is located along the floor and did not contain a self-feeder at the time of the inspection. The opening is large enough to allow a puppy to escape from the enclosure. A section of the metal fencing between two enclosures, containing a total of two adult dogs and three puppies, in the covered outdoor enclosures is not secured and is easily moved. One of the adjacent gates is secured with wire, but the resulting gap is large enough that the dogs could put their head or leg through. Thirteen enclosures in the whelping building, housing approximately 8 adult female dogs and 97 puppies, have carabiner style clips to secure entrance to the enclosure. These clips do not secure the entrance tightly and leave a gap large enough for the puppies to put their heads and legs through. Carpet squares used as bedding in three enclosures containing 3 adult dogs and approximately 15 unweaned puppies, have long strands of the material that have pulled away and pose a choking threat to puppies. The storage closet in the sheltered facility has a leaking water pipe. There is a large amount of water-soaked bedding material on the floor that has been used to try to adsorb some of the standing water. APHIS officials identified this issue during an earlier visit to the facility, but the facility representative stated he had not had time to fix the water pipe. Facilities that are not structurally sound, in good repair, or properly maintained pose a risk to the animals they are to house and protect. When the enclosure fails to contain the animals, this can result in injury, inability to access food and water, and in the case described above, death. Facilities, enclosures, and their contents must be good repair. Housing facilities for dogs must protect the animals from injuries and contain the animals securely. The licensee must alter the enclosures in a manner that removes the openings and gaps and eliminates the ability of the animals to escape. The licensee must also repair the leaking water pipe. The licensee must ensure that all enclosures are safe for the animals and contain them securely at all times.

Numerous sharp points are located throughout the facility. Inside the sheltered building there is one enclosure, containing one adult dog and four puppies, which has the metal feeder attached to the front gate by a piece of wire. The sharp ends of the wire are protruding into the enclosure and could come into direct contact with the dog every time it approaches the feeder to access the food. In one covered outdoor enclosure, containing four dogs, the shelter has no door, but the metal door frame is still attached to the entrance. The door frame is broken creating a sharp point at the level of the dogs. In another covered outdoor enclosure, containing five dogs, the shelter has at least five screws protruding from the entrance which the dogs could come in contact with. In one outdoor enclosure, containing eight dogs, there is a long strand of loose wire lying on the ground along with a broken metal fence post. One dog was seen running through the loose wire. In another outdoor enclosure, containing eight dogs, the sharp ends of screws are protruding into the shelter along the door frame and located at the level of the dogs. Broken chain link is located along the bottom of the enclosure fencing creating sharp points. More broken chain link is located in an outdoor enclosure containing ten dogs. The sharp points are located at the bottom of the fencing around the self feeder. In the corner of an outdoor enclosure, containing nine dogs, there is a broken piece of chain link creating a sharp point at the level of the animals. In another outdoor enclosure, containing twelve large breed dogs, numerous sharp points due to broken wires are located along the bottom of the fencing. The sharp ends of metal screws are protruding into the shelter through the hinges used to attach the door to the shelter. These sharp screws are located at the level of the dogs. Sharp points could cause injury to the dogs. Housing facilities must be free of sharp points and jagged edges. The licensee must alter the sharp points in a manner that eliminates the risk of injury to the dogs. The licensee must ensure that all enclosures are safe for the dogs at all times.

In the sheltered building containing the adult females and their unweaned puppies, there is an open bag of dog food that is not in a container with a lid. Flies were seen on the exterior of the bag and on the dog food inside the bag. The building has an abnormally large number of flies and employees are using fly spray to try to control them. Open supplies of food must be in leak-proof containers with lids to protect the food from pests, spoilage, and contamination from chemicals and other substances that could damage the food or be toxic or harmful to the animals. The licensee must ensure that all open supplies of food must be kept in leakproof containers with tight fitting lids. To be corrected by: The facility representative placed the bag of food into a leak-proof container with lid at time of inspection.

An enclosure in the sheltered housing building, containing a female Wheaton Terrier and her 6 unweaned puppies, has a section of the wall where the construction of the enclosure is unfinished. The area is in the back wall. The walls of the rest of enclosure are covered with tile, except this approximately 18” by 24’’ area where it looks like a door to the outside was planned. The unfinished area has exposed 2’ x 4” wood framing and pieces of fiberglass insulation. Surfaces of enclosures that have potential contact with dogs must be cleanable and sanitizable in order to prevent the buildup of debris and other materials that can harbor contaminated and potentially disease-causing agents. These surfaces must be impervious to water to allow repeated and ongoing cleaning without the deterioration of the surface. All walls and other surfaces in contact with animals must be impervious to moisture. To be corrected by: July 23, 2021

The framing on the largest shelter in the outdoor enclosure containing 8 Golden Retrievers is made of wood. According to the facility representative, the wood is not water resistant or sealed against moisture. A 12 to 16 foot long, approximately 10 inch wide board has been attached to the bottom of the wire fence to build a barrier between two outdoor enclosures. The board was placed there to prevent the dogs from digging more holes under the fence and entering the adjacent enclosure through those holes. Approximately 10 dogs have direct contact with the board and the facility representative says the board is not water resistant or sealed against moisture. One outdoor enclosure, containing approximately 12 dogs, has a metal access door inserted into painted plywood at the entrance to the shelter. The plywood has been chewed and damaged resulting in a hole in the plywood and unsealed wood around the access door. Surfaces of enclosures that have potential contact with dogs must be cleanable and sanitizable in order to prevent the buildup of debris and other materials that can harbor contaminated and potentially disease-causing agents. These surfaces must be impervious to water to allow repeated and ongoing cleaning without the deterioration of the surface. The licensee must ensure that building surfaces in contact with animals in outdoor facilities are impervious to moisture. Surfaces made of wood that is not pretreated to be impervious to moisture must be sealed. To be corrected by: September 08, 2021

In the sheltered building, one enclosure contains 3 adult dogs and a 10-week-old puppy. Young puppies under 16 weeks old are not well socialized or accustomed to the dynamics of competing for food or water with other dogs and my not be able to fend for themselves against aggressive or dominant adult dogs. Puppies under 16 weeks (4 months) of age may not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs, other than the dam or foster. The licensee must house the puppy in a separate enclosure from the adults. The licensee must ensure that all dogs housed together are compatible at all times. To be corrected by: End of business July 9, 2021

An enclosure in the sheltered housing building containing an adult female Shar-pei and 7 unweaned puppies has an empty water bowl and no other source of potable water. The facility representative explained that the bowl had been filled earlier this morning and must have been spilled. One enclosure in the large Whelping Building, containing one adult dog and six puppies, has an empty water bowl and no additional source of potable water. An outdoor enclosure containing approximately ten adult dogs has one water bowl that is nearly empty and the remaining water is a mud brown color with a buildup up of brown sediment and debris inside it from the dogs entering the bowl water with their dirty paws. One dog was observed sitting in the water bowl. The outdoor temperature was in the low 90s. For their overall health and wellbeing, dogs need to have potable water available at all times. This is even more important during times of extreme heat and requires frequent monitoring by facility staff. The licensee must ensure that potable water is continuously available to all dogs. To be corrected by: From this day forward all dogs must have potable water available at all times.

At least four outdoor shelters, accessed by a total of approximately 32 dogs, contain straw bedding material. The majority of the straw bedding is dark in color and compacted together in a solid pile and the inspector had to pull the layers of straw apart. The layers of straw were wet, dirty, moldy and had a strong odor of mold. In one of the shelters, accessed by eight dogs, the contaminated straw was peeled up to reveal a colony of ant-like insects beneath it and in another affected shelter, accessed by nine dogs, flying gnat-like insects came out of the contaminated straw. The facility representative was unaware of the contaminated condition of the straw bedding. In the large Whelping building, the whelping boxes contain wood shavings as absorbent material. In two whelping boxes, accessed by a total of fifteen puppies, the shavings were completely saturated with urine and feces with no clean, absorbent areas left. The puppies were observed running around in the wet, dirty shavings. The facility representative stated that the shavings are only cleaned out of the boxes and replaced once a day. Bedding material contaminated by waste, mold, dirt and insects may cause the animals to become wet and soiled as well as raise the risk of disease hazards. Pens, runs, and outdoor housing areas using material that cannot be sanitized using the methods provided in the regulations, such as gravel, sand, grass, earth, or absorbent bedding, must be sanitized by removing the contaminated material as necessary to prevent odors, diseases, pests, insects, and vermin infestation. The licensee must ensure that all contaminated bedding material is removed from the shelters and whelping boxes as often as necessary to prevent soiling of the animals, as well as eliminate odors, insects and disease hazards. To be corrected by: July 16, 2021

An excessively large number of flies and insects are located throughout the facility. The interiors of the sheltered building and whelping building, containing approximately 71 adult dogs and 370 puppies, are kept cool by leaving the doors open. The doors have no screens and flies and other insects are free to enter the buildings. Flies were seen on the walls of the buildings and enclosures, in the water bowls, in the food bowls and on the dog food, on the floors of the enclosures, and on the dogs themselves. In the outdoor enclosures flies were inside some of the shelters, accessed by a total of 17 dogs, along with gnat-like insects and ant-like insects that had infested the straw bedding. The facility representative stated that they spray for flies inside the buildings. Excessive numbers of flies and other insects can contaminate food and water as well as cause health hazards towards the dogs. An effective program for the control of insects, external parasites affecting dogs and cats, and birds and mammals that are pests, must be established and maintained. The licensee must establish an effective plan to control flies and other insects in order to support the health of the dogs. The licensee must ensure the plan is effective at all times.

During a prior visit conducted by APHIS officials, nine dogs were identified that required veterinary care. At the time of the current inspection, the inspectors requested the written medical records for these dogs, but the facility has no written medical records concerning the examination, diagnosis and treatment plans for these animals. Failure to maintain medical records does not allow APHIS officials to ensure the animals have received adequate veterinary care. Each dealer shall maintain medical records that include the problem identified, the date and description of the problem, examination findings, test results, plan for treatment and care, and treatment procedures performed. The licensee must document in writing all required information for any dog with a medical concern in order for the inspectors to determine the animal has received adequate veterinary care.

Five adult dogs are contained in three transport crates waiting to be moved to another location. Two plastic crates each contain two dogs and the amount of space is insufficient to allow the dogs to turn around and lie in normal positions. The inspectors observed one dog turning around in an abnormal position due to the lack of space. The dog was required to lower his hind end towards the floor in order to bend his front end around to complete the turn in the tight quarters. Failure to provide adequate space during transport may have a negative impact on the animal's health and well-being. Primary enclosures used to transport live dogs and cats must be large enough to ensure that each animal contained in the primary enclosure has enough space to turn about normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position. The licensee must ensure that transport enclosures provide the required amount of space for each dog in order to support their health and well-being. To be corrected by: The facility representative returned the dogs to their primary housing enclosures or separated the dogs into compliant transport enclosures at the time of the inspection.