A Code of Practice for Canadian Cattery Operations 2009 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association First Edition: 2009 Acknowledgements The Canadian Veterinary Medical The CVMA is also grateful to the Canadian Association (CVMA) expresses sincere Federation of Humane Societies, through appreciation to Dr. Janet Lalonde, Ms. Ms. Shelagh MacDonald, for extensive Wiebke Heron, Ms. Nadine Gourkow, Dr. participation in the preparation of the Code. Nicolette Joosting, Dr. Marcus Litman, Dr. Anna Bolinder, Dr. Carol Morgan, The CVMA also thanks the Canadian Cat Dr. Alice Crook, and Dr. Diane Frank for Association, the Canadian Council on their dedication and hard work in preparing Animal Care, the Pet Industry Joint this Code of Practice. Advisory Council of Canada, Dr. Susan Little, and Dr. Hugh Whitney for providing review. Contents Preface..................................................................................................................................2 Definitions............................................................................................................................3 Acronyms.............................................................................................................................5 Sections: SECTION I: The Selection of a Cat.............................................................................6 SECTION II: Housing and Accommodation................................................................8 SECTION III: Care and Supervision............................................................................14 SECTION IV: Behavioural Needs…...........................................................................18 SECTION V: Transportation.......................................................................................21 SECTION VI: Education..............................................................................................23 SECTION VII: Emergencies and Unforeseen Problems ..............................................24 SECTION VIII: Euthanasia............................................................................................25 Appendices: APPENDIX A: Cat Welfare...........................................................................................26 APPENDIX B: Feline Vaccines — Specific Recommendations. .................................30 APPENDIX C: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Position Statement on Onychectomy (Declawing) of the Domestic Feline..............................32 APPENDIX D: Recommended Minimum Space Requirements for Cats......................34 APPENDIX E: Organizations that Provided Information on Care and Humane Treatment of Cats .................................................................................35 1 A Code of Practice for Canadian Cattery Operations Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Preface Like the Codes of Practice developed by the management, and use of all animals, National Farm Animal Care Council, the including cats. All institutions, in which cats Canadian Federation of Humane Societies are used in research studies funded by (CFHS), the CVMA, and those associated granting councils, as well as federal and with the livestock industry, this Code of provincial government laboratories, must Practice for the care, management, and hold a CCAC Certificate of Good Animal breeding of cats is a voluntary one. It can be Practice® indicating compliance with CCAC used as an educational tool by cat breeders, guidelines and policies, as assessed by the members of the general public acquiring cats, CCAC Assessment Program. and animal welfare groups, and also as a standard by all those interested in the The recommendations that are contained in promotion of sound care, management, and this Code of Practice for Canadian Cattery welfare practices. Operations will not be comprehensive for all circumstances. For example, cage and pen Although there is no system to license size will depend on the breed and the catteries in Canada, some provinces or practices that can be applied to ensure the territories have laws or regulations covering welfare of the cats being raised or used. As certain aspects of the care of dogs and cats in well, an important aspect of ensuring the breeding and boarding establishments. well-being of each animal is by paying Consult the relevant provincial/territorial attention to its uniqueness. Undoubtedly, as animal care or SPCA act. additional research information becomes available and management practices and The Canadian Council on Animal Care requirements change, these guidelines, too, (CCAC) is the national organization will undergo change. Thus, this Code of responsible for setting and maintaining Practice is a “living document,” subject to standards for the care and use of animals in amendment as new information becomes research, teaching, and testing throughout available. For this voluntary Code to be fully Canada. The CCAC guidelines provide effective, those involved in the care and standards for animal facilities and ethical handling of cats and kittens should accept and requirements associated with the care, adopt the Code’s recommendations. 2 A Code of Practice for Canadian Cattery Operations Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Definitions HUMANE CARE feeding, watering, and removal of excrement; they must be knowledgeable concerning the The term “humane care” will be used animals themselves. commonly in this Code of Practice, for it forms the basis for all animal care, OTHER GENERAL management practices, and procedures. “Humane care” is an all-inclusive term and Breed: Cats with similar physical does not simply mean the avoidance of characteristics and related ancestry. deliberate pain. Instead, the goal is that all avoidable pain, distress, discomfort, and Breeder: Generically refers to a person who factors causing anxiety and suffering are breeds cats. More specifically, the breeder of eliminated from the conditions under which a litter is considered to be the owner of the cats are housed, bred, and raised. This dam (queen) at the time of breeding. (Note: includes selecting the proper site for a cattery cats may be owned outright or leased for to ensure optimal conditions are provided for breeding purposes). the cats, particularly breeding cats or cats maintained in kennels. The means of Cattery: A facility where cats are kept, confinement must also satisfy the cat’s social including breeding or boarding facilities, and exercise needs. Humane care also implies animal shelters, and pet stores. the maintenance of optimal sanitary and environmental conditions with regard to air Castrate: To surgically remove the testicles pollution, noise, temperature, humidity, etc. from a male cat (also “neuter”). High quality, nutritional, contaminant-free Conformation: The form, structure, and food, adequate potable water, and appropriate physical arrangement of body parts in accommodation, including shelter from the accordance with the breed’s standards. elements and unnecessary variations in temperature, must be provided. Cats should Dam: The mother of a cat. be raised at temperatures as close as possible to the comfort zone of the animal, appropriate Estrus: The sexually receptive period of a to its age and condition. It is also necessary to female cat during which she can become provide adequate, regular supervision and pregnant; commonly referred to as being “in efficient knowledgeable health care controls heat” or “in season.” to ensure that animals are not harmed by incompatible cats, sick cats, or other Euthanasia: The term is derived from the adversarial animals or vermin. Sufficient Greek “eu” for “good” and “thanatos” for numbers of experienced personnel should be “death” or an easy death. The euphemisms employed as required. Such individuals must for euthanize include “destroy,” “put down,” have compassion and respect for all living or most commonly “put to sleep.” beings, particularly for those cats or kittens for which they are responsible. It is not Gestation: The period of pregnancy in a cat sufficient that they have only knowledge of (approximately 66 days with some variation). 3 A Code of Practice for Canadian Cattery Operations Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Kitten: A cat under the age of 8 months. Lethargy: Behaviour displayed as excessive quietness, absence of play in kittens, Litter: Kittens born at the same time from extended sleep periods, or lack of interest in the same queen. feeding. It can be a sign of illness. Neuter: Spay or castrate a female or male Socialization: The process by which a kitten cat. learns to accept certain animal species including its own, as well as humans, in close Parturition: The act of labour or giving proximity. It occurs most easily during a birth. limited time span generally from 2 to 9 weeks of age, but should continue for several Queen: A female breeding cat. months. Spay: To surgically remove the ovaries and Submission/dominance: Submission often the uterus of a female cat. (deference) is signaled by cats in various ways, such as avoiding eye contact with a Stud: A breeding male, also known as a tom. more dominant cat, or waiting for another cat to pass before moving into an area. More dominant cats may block the movement of BEHAVIOURAL TERMS subordinate cats, chase them, or stare at them. Relative rank can vary from one pair of cats Defensive aggression: Threatening to another, and can depend on the context. behaviour displayed by a cat experiencing (Note: not all feline behaviourists agree about fear by flattening