96-3241. Dogs and Cats in Commercial Pet Trade; Public Meetings

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 13, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3241]



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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 1996 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 5524]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Parts 1, 2, and 3

[Docket No. 95-099-1]


Dogs and Cats in Commercial Pet Trade; Public Meetings

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service is hosting two public meetings to gather information 
on the current Animal Welfare Act regulations and standards that apply 
to the care of dogs and cats in the commercial pet trade. In line with 
our commitment to ensure appropriate care for animals regulated under 
the Animal Welfare Act, we are reviewing these regulations and 
standards and are seeking recommendations and opinions from the 
affected industries and concerned public to determine whether revisions 
are necessary.

DATES: Each meeting will be held on two consecutive half days--from 1 
p.m. until 5 p.m. on the first day and from 8 a.m. until noon on the 
second day. The first meeting will be held in Kansas City, MO, February 
21 and 22, 1996. The second meeting will be held in St. Louis, MO, 
February 23 and 24, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held at the following locations:
    1. Kansas City, MO: Kansas City Convention Center, Bartle Hall, 301 
W. 13th Street, Kansas City, MO. Telephone [phone] or (816) 871-
3700. Parking at the Convention Center (between Central Street and 
Broadway) is approximately $6 per day. Participants should enter the 
meeting areas (2200 Series) through Lobby 200 on the first floor of 
Bartle Hall. Members of the public requiring lodging reservations in 
Kansas City can contact the Kansas City Marriott Hotel- Downtown, 200 
W. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105, Telephone [phone] or 
[phone].
    2. St. Louis, MO: Regal Riverfront Hotel, 200 South 4th Street, St. 
Louis, MO, Telephone [phone] or [phone], Fax (314) 421-
3555.
    For hotel reservations at either location, request lodging for 
``USDA Public Meeting.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen Smith, Animal Health 
Technician, Animal Care Staff, REAC, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road Unit 
84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1234, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) (7 U.S.C. 
2131 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 
is responsible for regulating the care provided to certain animals, 
including dogs and cats in the commercial pet trade. APHIS believes the 
AWA regulations and standards pertaining to such dogs and cats may need 
to be updated. APHIS officials are reviewing the pertinent AWA 
regulations and standards.
    In conducting this review, the agency is seeking recommendations 
and opinions regarding the housing, care, handling, and transportation 
of dogs and cats in the commercial pet trade. APHIS officials have 
decided to hold three meetings to gather input from the public, animal 
protection organizations, and members of affected industries, such as 
dealers, research facilities, and commercial animal transporters. The 
locations of the meetings were selected based on the high 
concentrations of licensed animal dealers operating within close 
proximity. We also anticipate holding a meeting in the Washington, DC, 
area. Notice of this meeting will be given in a future Federal Register 
notice.
    The meetings will include four workshops facilitated by trained 
APHIS facilitators: (1) Space requirements for primary enclosures, 
including room for exercise; (2) sanitation, materials, flooring, and 
construction of primary enclosures; (3) veterinary care and breeding 
frequency; and (4) transportation by land and by air. In these 
workshops, group participation will be used to develop recommendations 
within specific topic areas. After the workshops have concluded, each 
workshop group will report its recommendations to the entire meeting.
    APHIS will consider these recommendations in developing any 
revisions to the current AWA regulations and standards. The Agency will 
initiate rulemaking for any changes deemed appropriate.
    Participants should attend the same workshop for the entire 
meeting. Registration for workshop sessions will be held from 11 a.m.-1 
p.m. on the first day of each meeting, with the general session 
beginning at 1 p.m. Meeting participants should select a first and 
second choice for workshop attendance because of space availability.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 8th day of February 1996.
Terry L. Medley,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 96-3241 Filed 2-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P