Comment from Victoria Windland

Document ID: APHIS-2005-0118-0005
Document Type: Public Submission
Agency: Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service
Received Date: May 04 2006, at 08:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Date Posted: May 10 2006, at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Start Date: April 28 2006, at 07:17 AM Eastern Standard Time
Comment Due Date: June 27 2006, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time
Tracking Number: 8016c1f4
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This is comment on Proposed Rule

Shift Cage Requirements

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RE: Docket # APHIS-2005-0118-0001 Addendum to previous comment submitted. I would like to propose an alternative to the language regarding the shift cage. Instead of requiring owners/handlers to shift animals from cage to cage at their own facility, why not require a shift cage on premesis in case of emergency that would provide protection for anyone needing to move an animal other than the handler? This would provide a safety mechanism for those that don't have daily contact with the animals. The cost to provide shift cages for every permenant cage at the larger facilities and Sanctuaries housing hundreds of animals would not be financially feasable. If the intent is to reduce risk to the public during exhibition, consideration of shift cage from point A to B for the larger feline species such as adult Tigers and Lions would be reasonable. There are those animals such as the smaller monkeys, lesser cats, and canines that are exhibited on leads and are able to be contained by the handler. Requiring a shift cage for these species would not be practical especially since some are exhibited by the handlers on leads.