DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE  
ANIMAL INDUSTRY DIVISION  
REGULATION NO. 151. PET SHOPS, DOG POUNDS, AND ANIMAL  
SHELTERS  
(By authority conferred on the director of agriculture by section 2 of Act No. 287 of the  
Public Acts of 1969, being S287.332 of the Michigan Compiled Laws)  
PART 1. DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE  
R 285.151.1 Definitions.  
Rule 1. In addition to the definitions in Act No. 287 of the Public Acts of 1969, as used  
in these rules:  
(a) "Act" means Act No. 287 of the Public Acts of 1969, being S287.331 et seq. of the  
Michigan Compiled Laws.  
(b) "Ambient temperature" means the temperature surrounding an animal.  
(c) "Department" means the department of agriculture.  
(d) "Director" means the director of the department or his authorized representative.  
(e) "Euthanasia" means the humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method  
involving instantaneous unconsciousness and immediate death, or by a method involving  
anesthesia produced by an agent which causes painless loss of consciousness and death  
during such loss of consciousness.  
(f) "Housing facility" means a room, building, or area used to contain a primary enclosure  
or enclosures.  
(g) "Incompetence" means the demonstrated incapability of a person to understand the  
requirements of these rules by failure or refusal to conform to such requirements for the  
care and handling of dogs and cats.  
(h) "Licensee" means a person, corporation, or company licensed as a pet shop pursuant  
to the act.  
(i) "Primary enclosure" means a structure used to immediately restrict 1 or more animals  
to a limited amount of space, such as a room, pen, run, cage, or compartment.  
(j) "Registrant" means a dog pound or animal shelter registered pursuant to the act and  
these rules.  
(k) "Sanitize" means to make physically clean and to remove and destroy to a practical  
minimum agents injurious to health.  
(l) "Standards" means the requirements with respect to the humane handling, care,  
treatment, and transportation of animals by the licensee and registrant.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.2 Scope.  
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Rule 2. The department may confer with the owner or operator of any pet shop, dog  
pound, or animal shelter which is licensed under the act at any time necessary in the  
administration of the act or these rules.  
History: 1979 AC.  
PART 2. LICENSING, REGISTRATION, ANIMAL TAGS, AND RECORDS  
R 285.151.11 Pet shop licenses.  
Rule 11. (1) A person operating or desiring to operate a pet shop shall apply for a license  
on a form furnished upon request by the department. The completed application form shall  
be filed with the department. The license is not transferable.  
(2) A copy of the applicable standards shall be furnished with each application for license  
and the applicant shall acknowledge receipt of the standards and agree to comply with them  
by signing a form provided for such purpose. The form shall be filed with the application  
for license.  
(3) An applicant shall demonstrate that his facilities comply with the standards required  
in these rules. If the applicant's facilities do not comply with the standards, the applicant  
shall be advised in writing of deficiencies and the corrective measures that shall be taken  
before facilities will be in compliance with the standards. After January 1, 1971, if the  
applicant has an existing business and his facilities do not comply with the standards and  
the applicant has been duly notified as to the corrective measures necessary to comply with  
the standards, the director may issue a temporary permit to operate such facility for a period  
of time, to be agreed upon in writing by both parties for the purpose of bringing the facility  
into compliance. All rules of sanitation shall be complied with as set forth in these rules.  
(4) A licensee shall notify the department promptly of any change in name, address,  
management, or substantial control or ownership of his business or operation.  
(5) A person who has been an officer, agent, or employee of the licensee whose license  
has been suspended or revoked, and who was responsible for, or participated in, the  
violation upon which the order of suspension or revocation was based, will not be licensed  
during the period in which the order of suspension or revocation is in effect.  
(6) A person whose license has been suspended or revoked shall not again be licensed in  
his own name or in any other manner during the period in which the order of suspension  
or revocation is in effect and a partnership, firm, or corporation in which such a person has  
a substantial financial interest shall not be licensed during such period.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.12 Dog pound and animal shelter registrations.  
Rule 12. (1) A dog pound or animal shelter shall register with the department by  
completing and filing a properly executed form furnished by the department upon request.  
The registration form shall be filed with the department.  
(2) A copy of the standards set forth in these rules shall be furnished with each registration  
form and the registrant shall acknowledge his receipt and agree to comply with them by  
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signing a form provided by the department. The form shall be signed by the chairman of  
the board of commissioners, city manager, or mayor in the case of a dog pound or by the  
president of the animal welfare society in the case of an animal shelter.  
(3) A registrant shall demonstrate that his facilities comply with the standards required in  
these rules. If the registrant's facilities do not comply with the standards, the registrant will  
be advised in writing of deficiencies and the corrective measures that shall be taken before  
the facilities are in compliance with the standards. After January 1, 1971, if the registrant  
and his existing facilities do not comply with the standards and the registrant has been duly  
notified as to the corrective measures necessary to comply with the standards, the director  
may issue a temporary permit to operate such facility for a period of time, to be agreed  
upon in writing by both parties for the purpose of bringing the facility into compliance.  
All rules of sanitation shall be complied with as set forth in these rules.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.13 Pet shop, dog pound, and animal shelter records.  
Rule 13. (1) For each dog and cat purchased or otherwise acquired, held, transported,  
sold, or otherwise disposed of, the management shall keep and maintain the following  
information in a manner prescribed by the department:  
(a) Name and address of the person from whom the animal was acquired and the name  
and address of the person to whom it was sold or otherwise disposed of.  
(b) Date of acquisition.  
(c) Description and identification of the animal, including the breed, sex, color, and  
approximate weight.  
(d) Date, nature, and method of disposition; for example, sale, death, euthanasia, or  
donation.  
(2) A pet shop, dog pound, or animal shelter shall maintain such records for 2 years, and  
they shall be made available to the director or his authorized representative when deemed  
necessary by the director.  
History: 1979 AC.  
PART 3. FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS  
R 285.151.21 Facilities.  
Rule 21. (1) A housing facility for dogs or cats shall be structurally sound and maintained  
in good repair to protect the animals from injury, to contain the animals, and to restrict the  
entrance of other animals.  
(2) Adequate potable water shall be available.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.22 Sanitation.  
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Rule 22. (1) Supplies of food and bedding shall be stored in facilities which adequately  
protect them against infestation or contamination by vermin. Refrigeration shall be  
provided for supplies of perishable food.  
(2) Provisions shall be made for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes,  
bedding, dead animals, and debris. Disposal facilities shall be so provided and operated as  
to minimize vermin infestation, odors, and disease hazards.  
(3) Washrooms, basins, or sinks shall be provided to maintain cleanliness of the animal  
caretakers.  
(4) The interior building surfaces of an indoor housing facility shall be constructed of a  
nonabsorbent material that may be readily sanitized.  
(5) A suitable method shall be provided to eliminate excess water from an indoor housing  
facility. Drains shall be properly constructed and kept in good repair to avoid foul odors  
therefrom. Closed drainage systems shall be equipped with traps and so installed as to  
prevent any backup on the floor of the room.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.23 Heating, ventilating, and lighting of indoor facilities.  
Rule 23. (1) An indoor housing facility for dogs and cats shall be sufficiently heated to  
protect the dogs and cats from cold and to provide for their health and comfort. The ambient  
temperature shall not be allowed to fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for dogs and cats.  
(2) An indoor housing facility for dogs and cats shall be adequately ventilated to provide  
for the health and comfort of the animals at all times. The facility shall be provided with  
fresh air, either by means of windows, doors, vents, or air conditioning, and shall be  
ventilated so as to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation.  
(3) An indoor housing facility for dogs and cats shall have ample light of good quality by  
natural or artificial means or both. The lighting shall provide uniformly distributed  
illumination of sufficient intensity to permit routine inspection and cleaning during the  
entire working period. Primary enclosures shall be so placed as to protect the dogs or cats  
from excessive illumination.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.24 Shelter provided by outdoor facilities.  
Rule 24. (1) When sunlight is likely to cause overheating or discomfort, sufficient shade  
shall be provided to allow dogs and cats to protect themselves from the direct rays of the  
sun.  
(2) An access to shelter shall be provided for dogs and cats to allow them to remain dry  
during rain or snow.  
(3) Outside shelters shall be located in an area which has suitable drainage.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.25 Primary enclosures.  
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Rule 25. (1) A primary enclosure shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair  
to protect the dogs and cats from injury, to contain them, to keep predators out and enable  
dogs and cats to remain dry and clean.  
(2) A primary enclosure shall provide sufficient space to allow each dog and cat to turn  
about freely and to easily stand, sit and lie in a comfortable normal position. Where the  
primary enclosure is used for more than 1 animal, a resting perch for each cat shall be  
provided.  
(3) A primary enclosure shall be constructed and maintained so that dogs and cats kept  
therein have convenient access to clean food and water.  
(4) The floors of a primary enclosure shall be constructed so as to protect the feet and legs  
of the dogs and cats from injury.  
(5) Adequate litter shall be provided for cats.  
(6) The number of dogs or cats in a primary enclosure shall not exceed a number which  
would prevent proper ventilation and sanitation.  
(7) Female animals in estrus shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure as male  
animals.  
History:1979 AC.  
R 285.151.26 Dog houses with chains.  
Rule 26. (1) If dog houses with chains are used as primary enclosures for dogs kept out  
of doors, the chains shall be so placed or attached that they cannot become entangled with  
the chains of other dogs, or any other objects. A chain shall be of a type commonly used  
for the size dog involved and shall be attached to the dog by a well-fitted collar. A chain  
shall be of such length as to allow exercise and convenient access to the dog house.  
(2) Outdoor facilities shall be fenced around the perimeter so that animals cannot escape  
or other animals gain entrance.  
History: 1979 AC.  
PART 4. ANIMAL HEALTH AND HUSBANDRY  
R 285.151.31 Feeding and water.  
Rule 31. (1) Dogs and cats shall be fed at least once each day except as otherwise required.  
The food shall be free from contamination and shall be wholesome, palatable, and of  
sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet the normal daily requirements for condition  
and size of the animal.  
(2) Food receptacles shall be accessible to all dogs and cats and shall be located to  
minimize contamination by excreta. Feeding pans shall be durable and kept clean.  
Disposable food receptacles may be used but shall be discarded after each feeding. Self-  
feeders may be used for the feeding of dry food and shall be sanitized regularly to prevent  
molding, deterioration, or caking of food.  
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(3) If potable water is not accessible to the dogs and cats at all times, potable liquids shall  
be offered to them at least twice daily for periods of not less than 1 hour except as  
otherwise required. Watering receptacles shall be kept clean.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.32 Cleaning of primary enclosures.  
Rule 32. Excreta shall be removed from a primary enclosure as often as necessary to  
prevent contamination of the dogs or cats kept therein and to reduce disease hazards and  
odors. When a hosing or flushing method is used for cleaning a primary enclosure, any dog  
contained herein shall be removed during the cleaning process and adequate measures shall  
be taken to protect the animals in other enclosures from being contaminated with water and  
other wastes.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.33 Housekeeping.  
Rule 33. (1) A primary enclosure for dogs and cats shall be sanitized often enough to  
prevent an accumulation of debris or excreta or a disease hazard.  
(2) All buildings and grounds included in the premises shall be kept clean and in good  
repair in order to protect the animals from injury and to facilitate the prescribed husbandry  
practices set forth in these rules. The premises shall remain free of an accumulation of  
debris.  
(3) An effective program for the control of insects, ectoparasites, and avian and  
mammalian pests shall be established and maintained.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.34 Compatible animal groups.  
Rule 34. (1) Animals housed in the same primary enclosure shall be maintained in  
compatible groups.  
(2) A dog or cat exhibiting a vicious disposition shall be housed individually in a primary  
enclosure.  
(3) Puppies and kittens shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs  
and cats other than their dams.  
(4) No 2 species of animals shall be housed in the same primary enclosure.  
(5) Dogs and cats exhibiting symptoms of communicable disease shall be separated from  
all other susceptible species of animals in such a manner as to prevent spread of such  
disease.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.35 Employees.  
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Rule 35. A sufficient number of employees shall be used to maintain the prescribed level  
of husbandry practices set forth in these rules.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.36 Veterinary services.  
Rule 36. (1) The services of a licensed veterinarian shall be available, and his name shall  
appear on the application for license or registration. The director shall be promptly notified  
of any change of veterinary service.  
(2) The licensee or registrant shall seek the services of this veterinarian whenever a health  
hazard arises.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.151.37 Confiscation and destruction of animals.  
Rule 37. If an animal held by a dog pound, animal shelter, or pet shop is found by the  
director to be suffering as a result of failure to provide proper food and water or inhumane  
treatment by the management of the dog pound, animal shelter, or pet shop, the director  
may order the animal confiscated or destroyed in a humane manner, if he determines  
the circumstances warrant such action.  
History: 1979 AC.  
PART 5. TRANSPORTATION  
R 285.151.41 Vehicles.  
Rule 41. (1) A vehicle used in transporting dogs and cats shall be mechanically sound and  
equipped to provide fresh air to all animals being transported without injurious drafts or  
undue exposure to the elements.  
(2) The interior of the animal cargo space shall be kept clean.  
(3) The vehicle shall not be overcrowded to the extent that it will cause injury to the  
animals being transported.  
(4) Animals transported in the same primary enclosure shall be of the same species  
and maintained in compatible groups.  
(5) Puppies or kittens shall not be transported with adult dogs or cats other than their  
dams.  
(6) A dog or cat exhibiting a vicious disposition shall be transported individually.  
(7) A female dog or cat in season or estrus shall not be transported in the same primary  
enclosure with a male.  
History: 1979 AC.  
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