Legislation
SECTION 426
Sanitation
Agriculture & Markets (AGM) CHAPTER 69, ARTICLE 26-C
* § 426. Sanitation. Any animal shelter licensed pursuant to this
article shall establish and maintain sanitation protocols that include
the following:
1. use of one or more agents that have cleaning and disinfectant
properties that are effective under conditions present in a given
environment and with demonstrated effectiveness against the pathogens
for which animals are at risk;
2. removal of animals from enclosures and placement in another
appropriate enclosure or separation from the area being cleaned or
disinfected by a functional compartment door when water, cleaning, or
disinfecting agents are sprayed in or near an animal's enclosure;
3. dedicated equipment for cleaning and disinfection for use in each
separate area of the shelter designated as cat or dog isolation,
holding, adoptions or other functionally separate areas within the
facility;
4. cleaning and disinfecting in between each use of items and surfaces
that come into contact with animals, including but not limited to food
and water bowls, litter boxes and exam tables, or procedures to discard
and replace with new items for each animal;
5. cleaning and disinfecting all enclosures for temporary or permanent
housing before a new animal enters such enclosure;
6. daily cleaning and at least once weekly disinfecting of enclosures
that house the same animal or animals during a long-term stay;
7. cleaning and disinfecting enclosures when the enclosure becomes
heavily soiled or otherwise contaminated or a new animal is added to the
enclosure;
8. laundering of all animal bedding in a machine with detergent when
soiled and thoroughly drying such bedding before reuse, or removing and
disposing of such bedding appropriately;
9. cleaning of outdoor premises from clutter that may pose a safety
concern and fecal material removed at least once daily;
10. appropriate use and disposal of protective garments worn during
cleaning and intensive animal-handling activities within an animal
shelter; and
11. proper hygiene of shelter staff, volunteers, and visitors,
including signage, supervision, and hand sanitation.
* NB Effective December 15, 2025
article shall establish and maintain sanitation protocols that include
the following:
1. use of one or more agents that have cleaning and disinfectant
properties that are effective under conditions present in a given
environment and with demonstrated effectiveness against the pathogens
for which animals are at risk;
2. removal of animals from enclosures and placement in another
appropriate enclosure or separation from the area being cleaned or
disinfected by a functional compartment door when water, cleaning, or
disinfecting agents are sprayed in or near an animal's enclosure;
3. dedicated equipment for cleaning and disinfection for use in each
separate area of the shelter designated as cat or dog isolation,
holding, adoptions or other functionally separate areas within the
facility;
4. cleaning and disinfecting in between each use of items and surfaces
that come into contact with animals, including but not limited to food
and water bowls, litter boxes and exam tables, or procedures to discard
and replace with new items for each animal;
5. cleaning and disinfecting all enclosures for temporary or permanent
housing before a new animal enters such enclosure;
6. daily cleaning and at least once weekly disinfecting of enclosures
that house the same animal or animals during a long-term stay;
7. cleaning and disinfecting enclosures when the enclosure becomes
heavily soiled or otherwise contaminated or a new animal is added to the
enclosure;
8. laundering of all animal bedding in a machine with detergent when
soiled and thoroughly drying such bedding before reuse, or removing and
disposing of such bedding appropriately;
9. cleaning of outdoor premises from clutter that may pose a safety
concern and fecal material removed at least once daily;
10. appropriate use and disposal of protective garments worn during
cleaning and intensive animal-handling activities within an animal
shelter; and
11. proper hygiene of shelter staff, volunteers, and visitors,
including signage, supervision, and hand sanitation.
* NB Effective December 15, 2025