Definitions:

Shelter size

A confinement area must provide sufficient space to allow each animal to turn about freely and to easily stand, sit, and lie in a normal position. Each confined animal must be provided a minimum square footage of floor space as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail, plus 25 percent, expressed in square feet. The formula for computing minimum square footage is: (length of animal plus 25 percent) times (length of animal plus 25 percent), divided by 144. A shaded area must be provided sufficient to protect the animal from the direct rays of the sun at all times during the months of May to October.

Minimum Space Requirement for Dog Confinement Areas

Animal Welfare Act Regulations require a minimum space of 6 inches from the top of a dog’s head to the top of the confinement area. Each puppy requires a minimum of 5% of the dam’s minimum space requirement.

Minimum Space Requirement for Cats

Animal Welfare Act Regulations require that each enclosure is at least 24 inches high. Cats up to 8.8 lbs. must be provided 3 square feet of space; cats over 8.8 lbs. must be provided 4 square feet. Each kitten requires a minimum of 5% of the dam’s minimum space requirement.

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