Animal Transport Contact Info for the USDA and APHIS

So you feel uncomfortable about an animal transport that you witnessed and you don't know who to contact and where to start, let's start with the USDA and APHIS.

Animal Rescue groups or even those portraying themselves as an animal rescue group or animal transporter still need to follow the basic laws in place to protect the animals they all proclaim they are working to save. However these day's we have an issue with Puppy Flippers, Class B Dealers and rescue for profit are all now hiding behind the animal rescue name and claim for a fast buck and their new household income.

Shelter dogs and cat's being sent from one state to another are required to have a health cert, water bowls, water, leashes, a log book of the travel time and a USDA Animal Transport License are all to be on board when these transports take place. These are all precautions put in place to put the animals health and care first, something most of these mass animal transports do not do on their own.

I personally am disgusted at the lack of care for these animals while on these state to state transports and I know many others are as well but people just do not know where to start to alert an official office let alone how to place a formal complaint. So here are just a few pointers.

Screen shot all of your evidence or questionable activity and save  it to your computer. Gather as much information on the animal transport, the departing location, arriving location, how many animals are on board, where they might have come from ( list a county animal shelter if that's the location) and the people names or groups that are involved as you can.

You can either file a complaint with the USDA/APHIS at:  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/aw_complaint_form.shtml


Or you can email them directly via the contact list listed below. You may need to click on the picture to enlarge the print for your better view.

This is only the first step in how to help the animals forced on these transports. Please stay tune for the next 2 blogs on what other departments need to be contacted and how you can help clean up the animal transport world that so many have jumped in the last few years as their new way of income.  Something the IRS is also interested in due to all the undeclared taxable income for so many who claim to be unemployed and are receiving state benefits thru their local Health and Humane Services Departments.

Rabies, Vaccinations and Health Certs are a must, animal rescuers put the animals care first !

For years now we have seen on Face Book many Animal Rescuers making every excuse in the world on why they are not subject to needing to obtain Health Certs and Vaccinations for the Shelter Animals they are shipping from one State to another, and that's exactly what it is, an EXCUSE.

Many Animal Rescuers have popped up on Face Book in the last 3 years, and many of them if you do a search for the Health Certificates on those animals that took from a North Carolina Animal Shelter, well you will find Heath Certificates were never obtained neither was a trip to the Vet for their vaccinations prior to being packed like sardines on a mass transport to another State.

In fact many of the profiles you deal with on Face Book in the Animal Rescue Community are not even who they say nor are residing in the State they claim to live in. They "pull" animals under other group names so they can stay hidden and not be on any radar. They do not want anyone to know how animals they have "pulled" or have sent to any particular location.

North Carolina Animal Shelters beware, social media has become a hot bed of scams and reckless rescue efforts and North Carolina is their current target.  I suggest for all North Carolina Animal Shelters to start requiring anyone coming to "pull", adopt or transport an animal to show you their drivers license, make a copy and place it in your file. For out-of-state rescue groups, mandate them to fax you a copy of their Drivers License so you can make sure your dealing with a real person and so that you know the State you just shipped our Shelter Animals to. A small check and balance like this will cut down immediately many of those that are causing us the most harm for our Shelter Animals.

Our Shelter Animals already have it extremely difficult as they find themselves on death row, the last thing they need is to be sent to an animal abuser, hoarder, live testing facility or worse.  As we have seen in the recent raids on property's, there is something worse than humane euthanasia and it's called reckless rescue. Shame on all that refuse to follow these simple steps to better look after the animals welfare.

Below is the NC Laws:

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Division of Public Health  Epidemiology Section

Communicable Disease Branch

1902 Mail Service Center  Raleigh, North Carolina 27699‐1902

Tel 919‐733‐3419  Fax 919‐733‐0490

Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor Jeffrey P. Engel, MD

Lanier M. Cansler, Secretary State Health Director

Location: 225 N. McDowell Street  Raleigh, N.C. 27603

An Equal Opportunity Employer

DATE: 28 JUNE 2010

TO: Animal rescue groups, shelters, transporters & persons exporting companion animals from NC to other states

FROM: Carl Williams and Marilyn Haskell, Public Health Veterinarians, NC DPH

SUBJECT: STATE OF DESTINATION ANIMAL IMPORTATION REQUIREMENTS

People and organizations commonly take domestic companion animals from North Carolina animal shelters to other

states to be sold or adopted. Domestic companion animals must be moved to the state of destination in accordance with

that state’s laws. If you are taking a dog, cat or ferret from NC to another state for any reason you must comply with all

importation requirements set forth by the state of destination and these requirements vary from state-to-state.

The state of destination, typically the agriculture department, should always be consulted prior to moving animals into that

state to ensure compliance with all appropriate state laws, rules and regulations. Always consult with a USDA accredited

veterinarian prior to moving any animals to another state. The importation requirements and contact information by state

are located at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_states.shtml.

RABIES CERTIFICATES and HEALTH CERTIFICATES

These requirements may vary from state-to state; for example to be imported into NC dogs, cats and ferrets must

1. have proof of current vaccination against rabies by 4 months of age (age requirement may vary among states),

2. be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary examination signed by a licensed & accredited veterinarian

indicating the animal

a. has not been exposed to rabies

b. does not originate from a rabies quarantine area

c. is free from contagious or communicable diseases (may not be limited to zoonotic diseases).

ACCREDITED VETERINARIANS

Veterinarians that complete Certificates of Veterinary Examination (health certificates) for animals going to other states

must be NC licensed and accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and should have knowledge

of the state of destination’s import requirements. Those requirements can be found online at the USDA website:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_states.shtml.

REGULATION OF COMPANION ANIMAL SALE/DISTRIBUTION

In addition to importation requirements some states may also regulate the manner in which companion animals are sold

or distributed within their state, for example:

 Rhode Island requires persons engaged in the sale or distribution of dogs to be licensed with the State

Department of Agriculture (http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE4/4-19/INDEX.HTM).

 Massachusetts requires that all dogs or cats brought or shipped into the Commonwealth for commercial resale

shall be inoculated against distemper not more than thirty nor less than seven days before entry and all dogs or

cats imported for resale shall be held in isolation by the importer for a period of two days prior to offering for sale

(http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/140-138a.htm).

 MA Dept. of Agricultural Resources issued an Emergency Order (attached) on animal importation.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions please call the Veterinary Public Health program at

919-733-3410 or contact the state of destination to ensure all import requirements are met.

 

 

CT Law Restricting Animal Rescue Signed by Gov

Posted Jul 14, 2011 by lauraallen

Gov. Daniel Malloy has signed into law a bill that requires "animal importers" to register with the state which includes payment of a $100 annual fee.

Substitute House Bill 5368 also requires "animal importers" to comply with regulations that can be issued with respect to "health, safety and humane treatment" of the animals. The Commissioner of Agriculture is authorized to inspect the animals and any records of the "animal importer".
A violation can mean a fine up to $500.

Animal importers must also notify the state Dept. of Agriculture and local zoning officer of any sale, adoption, or transfer of animals that is open to the public. A failure to comply can mean a fine up to $100.
 
What is an "animal importer"?
According to the bill, an "animal importer" is "a person who brings any dog or cat into this state ...for the purpose of offering such dog or cat to any person for sale, adoption or transfer in exchange for any fee, sale, voluntary contribution, service or any other consideration".
This includes "any commercial or nonprofit animal rescue or adoption, humane relocation or delivery organization that is not otherwise required to be licensed". This means all rescues and those transporting animals to rescues within the state. The definition is broad enough to include those traveling through the state with rescued animals.

More requirements under the new law
Not only must animals imported into the state be accompanied by a health certificate, but the "animal importer" is responsible with limited exceptions for obtaining a veterinary exam and new health certificate for the animal within 48 hours of entering the state. Also, the animal must be examined by a licensed veterinarian every 90 days until the animal is sold, transferred or adopted. Veterinary records must be kept by the animal importer for up to 3 years. A violation of any of these provisions can mean a fine up to $500.
Then there is this provision: Any animal importer who intends to offer for sale, adoption or transfer any dog or cat at a venue or location that is open to the public or at an outdoor location, ... shall provide notice to the Department of Agriculture and the municipal zoning enforcement officer of the town ...not later than ten days prior to such event. Such notice shall state the date for such sale, adoption or transfer event, the exact location of such event and the anticipated number of animals for sale, adoption or transfer at such event.
A violation can mean a $100 fine.
This notice appears to apply to a rescuer transporting an animal into Connecticut for transfer at a shopping center, for example, to another rescue which may then take the animal for placement or transport out of state. notice.
The Federation of Responsible Rescues says the new law will "effectively ends the ability of legitimate rescues to offer dogs for adoption in the state of Connecticut by making the cost so prohibitive that adoption is not feasible for the vast majority of adopters."
Substitute H.B. 5368 specifically excludes breeders and dealers bringing dogs and cats into the state to deliver them for sale at pet stores.
Fines are also increased from a $100 maximum to up to $500 for violations of laws requiring health certificates for imported dogs and cats with copies sent to the commissioner of agriculture, permission from the state veterinarian for import of dogs or cats under a rabies quarantine, and the ban on the transport into the state dogs or cats less than 8 weeks of age without their mother for sale, adoption or transfer, and the sale, adoption or transfer of dogs and cats less than 8 weeks of age.
The new law goes into effect October 1, 2011.

Unlicensed Animal Transport of Shelter Animals

You pulled a dog thru social media, you dealt with profiles that you have never meet in person, you gave them money to transport an animal to you many states away, also you forgot to ask the Animal Transporter for their APHIS License number... which is a Federal Law.... so your mistakes paid for animals to be transported like this. Next time maybe you should check out who you are dealing with by asking some keys questions. This is not Animal Rescue nor Responsible Animal Transport.

 

Did you just pay for this to happen to these dogs? Do you Chip In on Facebook to pull and transport animals from Shelter via people and profiles you have never meet? If so this is what you might of just played a hand in.

APHIS Link: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/awr/awr.pdf

Fun Facts about NC

State Bird: Cardinal

State Tree: Pine

State Flower: Dogwood Blossom

State Mammal: Gray Squirrel

State Dog: Plott Hound

State Insect: Honey Bee

State Shell: Scotch Bonnet

State Saltwater Fish: Channel Bass

State Precious Stone: Emerald

State Beverage: Milk

State Rock: Granite

State Reptile: Eastern Box Turtle

State Historic Boat: Shad Boat

 

 

No more Gas Chamber for Shelter Animals in Person County NC

As reported by the Courier Times Oct 12, 2012. Person County has stopped using the Gas Chamber and switched to 100 percent lethal injection for euthanasia cases. Way to go Person County but my question is why is any North Carolina County Animal Shelter using a Gas Chamber as after all it's the right thing to do to pull all these chambers out. We dont have to have a law telling us to not kill our unwanted pets via a Gas Chamber, just have a heart and end this old school way of killing in all of North Carolina. What County will be next to end this barbaric way of killing and to do it freely by their choice? Have compassion when it comes to taking their lives, give them dignity and not shove them into a GAS CHAMBER to die in such a horrific death. Thank you Person County for taking a step forward in 2012..... who's next?

 

 

 

Orange County Low Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic

 

Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics

 Saturday, Sep 29 10:00a

Orange County Animal Services Center, Chapel Hill

Orange County’s Animal Services Department is offering two low cost rabies vaccination clinics on Saturday 29th September from 10:00 am to 12:00 PM celebration of the 6th annual World Rabies Day.

Person County Raid in NC

 

 

ROUGEMONT, N.C (WTVD) -- More than 100 animals were seized from a Person County farm by the Humane Society of the United States and Person County Animal Control Tuesday.

The Person County Sheriff's Office served a search and seizure warrant on the property and found 39 horses and nearly 70 small-breed dogs, cats and birds being housed in unsanitary conditions.

Officials became concerned about the facility after receiving complaints from the community. The horses at the farm were described as being very thin. Some were suffering from medical issues that required immediate attention.

Many of the dogs and cats suffered from eye infections, skin infections and other signs of severe neglect.

"The Humane Society of the United States is glad to help Person County Animal Control with this very sad case of neglect," said Kim Alboum, North Carolina state director for The HSUS. "The conditions in this home are egregious and these animals desperately needed rescue. Now they are on the path to much better lives."

"The situation here deteriorated so badly that we knew it was time to act," said Ron Shaw, director of Person County Animal Control. "I'm incredibly grateful that we did, because the conditions for the small animals living inside were deplorable."

The owner surrendered the animals, and they will all be taken to area shelters for immediate evaluation and treatment by veterinarians.
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Helpful Tip's for Animal Transport

The following Transport Guidelines are recommended for land transport.
Most important Requirement is to have Health Certificates for all animals when going across any state lines. This is USDA APHIS Law and each State as well.

a. Transport vehicles must be cleaned and sanitized to industry standards prior to transport.

b. Proper climate control must be maintained—the vehicle must be able to provide heat and or a/c to the animal housing areas and there must be sufficient air ventilation.

c. Temperatures should not fall below 60° F or above 85° F. Thermometer must be placed in an area where kennels are located and be easily visible.

d. Animals should be transported in separate enclosures (except in the case of litters) with solid, leak-proof bottoms and adequate bedding. Animals should be able to comfortably stand up, lie down and turn around.

e. Ensure access to fresh water for every animal at breaks.

f. At a minimum, stop every 4-6 hours in a safe area to perform a visual check and to clean transport kennels, feed, and water the animals.

g. Puppies should be fed a small meal or snack every 4-6 hours.

h. Adult dogs should be walked or exercised on trips longer than 8 hours.

i. Maximum transport time to a kennel (intermediate or final destination shelter) should be no more than 12 hours.

j. All trips should be made with a minimum of (2) drivers and sufficient personnel to appropriately handle and care for all animals.

k. Driver and staff safety is of utmost concern. Drivers should travel with cell phones, maps, preferably GPS and emergency equipment.

l. The organizations should have an agreed upon contingency plan to address weather, mechanical or other unexpected situations that may go awry during the transport.

m. There must be appropriate Identification on each animal and its carrier during transport.

credit NFHS