KRS Chapter 258 – Animal Control and Protection

            Additional information available at:

http://lrc.ky.gov/KRS/258-00/CHAPTER.HTM

Animal Shelter Standards

  "Animal shelter" means any facility used to house or contain animals, operated or maintained by a governmental body, incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other nonprofit organization;

 258.195 Employment, appointment, or contract with animal control officers -- Establishment and maintenance of animal shelters – Intergovernmental agreements -- Authority of animal control officers.  

(1) The governing body of each county shall employ, appoint, or contract with an animal control officer, or shall contract with an entity that employs, appoints, or contracts with an animal control officer, and shall establish and maintain an animal shelter as a means of facilitating and administering KRS 258.095 to 258.500. One (1) or more counties may enter into intergovernmental agreements for the establishment of regional animal shelters, or may contract with entities authorized to maintain sheltering and animal control services. Animal shelters shall meet the standards provided by KRS 258.119(3)(b) within three (3) years after July 13, 2004. Governing bodies may adopt additional standards and ordinances related to public health, safety, enforcement, and the efficient and appropriate operation of their shelters and their animal control programs.  

258.119 Animal control and care fund -- Distribution of moneys – Eligibility requirements. 

(3) As used in this section, "animal control and care program" means a program in which the county:

  (a) Employs, appoints, or contracts with an animal control officer, or contracts with an entity that employs, appoints, or contracts with an animal control officer, as required by KRS 258.195, who is a high school graduate and has completed the training requirements set forth by the Animal Control Advisory Board; and  

(b) Maintains an animal shelter, enters into an intergovernmental agreement for the establishment of a regional animal shelter, or contracts with an entity authorized to maintain sheltering and animal control services, to provide services that:  

1. Segregate male and female animals by species in runs and holding areas;

  2. Provide separate runs or holding areas for ill or injured animals. An ill or injured animal shall be treated with proper veterinary care or euthanized;  

3. Provide quarantine for dogs and cats presented to the shelter when quarantine by the owner is not feasible or desirable, the cost of quarantine to be borne by the animal owner at the shelter's regular housing costs and fees. Quarantined dogs and cats shall be held in isolation for observation of symptoms of rabies for a period of ten (10) days from the date the dog or cat bit a person. If the dog or cat dies or is euthanized while in quarantine, it shall be submitted to the local health department for testing for the presence of the rabies virus. The cost of the testing shall be borne by the animal owner or the local health department may bear the cost at its discretion;

  4. Provide holding areas with protection from the weather, including heated quarters during cold weather. Holding areas shall be free of debris or standing water; shall provide adequate lighting, ventilation, and sanitary conditions to promote a safe, healthy environment; and shall provide adequate space to allow for normal movement, including standing to full height, sitting, turning, and lying down in a natural position without coming in contact with the top or sides of the enclosure or another animal; 

5. Provide runs and cages built of materials which can be readily cleaned and disinfected, including floors made of an impervious material;  

6. Provide access to the public for no less than twenty-four (24) hours in one (1) week, with the hours that the facility is open to the public posted in a visible location;  

7. Employ euthanasia methods specified as acceptable for that species by the most recent report of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia;  

8. Provide potable, uncontaminated water to every animal at all times, and palatable, uncontaminated food daily; and  

9. Maintain a record on each animal impounded. Records shall be maintained for a period of two (2) years and shall include:

a. Date impounded;

b. Location found or picked up;

c. Sex of animal and spay or neuter status, if known;

d. Breed or description, and color; and

e. Date reclaimed, adopted, or euthanized.