Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries Standards For Lagomorph, Rodent and Hyrax Sanctuaries Version: May 2016 ©2012 Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries – Standards for Lagomorph, Rodent and Hyrax Sanctuaries Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1 GFAS PRINCIPLES ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 ANIMALS COVERED BY THESE STANDARDS ............................................................................................................. 1 STANDARDS UPDATES……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 LAGOMORPH, RODENT AND HYRAX STANDARDS ............................................................................................... 3 LAGOMORPH, RODENT AND HYRAX HOUSING ........................................................................... 3 H-1. Types of Space and Size ................................................................................................................................. 3 H-2. Containment ................................................................................................................................................. 6 H-3. Ground and Plantings .................................................................................................................................... 8 H-4. Gates and Doors ............................................................................................................................................ 9 H-5. Shelter......................................................................................................................................................... 10 H-6. Enclosure Furniture ..................................................................................................................................... 11 H-7. Sanitation .................................................................................................................................................... 12 H-8. Temperature, Humidity, Ventilation, Lighting .............................................................................................. 14 PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND ADMINISTRATION ........................................................................ 16 PF-1. Overall Safety of Facilities .......................................................................................................................... 16 PF-2. Water Drainage and Testing ....................................................................................................................... 16 PF-3. Life Support ............................................................................................................................................... 16 PF-4. Hazardous Materials Handling ................................................................................................................... 17 PF-5. Security: Lagomorph, Rodent and Hyrax Enclosures ................................................................................... 17 PF-6. Perimeter Boundary and Inspections, and Maintenance ............................................................................ 18 PF-7. Security: General Safety Monitoring .......................................................................................................... 18 PF-8. Insect and Non-Resident Rodent Control ................................................................................................... 19 PF-9. Record Keeping .......................................................................................................................................... 19 PF-10. Animal Transport ..................................................................................................................................... 20 NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................................................... 21 N-1. Water .......................................................................................................................................................... 21 N-2. Diet ............................................................................................................................................................. 21 N-3. Food Presentation and Feeding Techniques ................................................................................................ 24 N-4. Food Storage ............................................................................................................................................... 25 N-5. Food Handling ............................................................................................................................................. 25 VETERINARY CARE ........................................................................................................................... 26 V-1. General Medical Program and Staffing ........................................................................................................ 26 V-2. On-Site and Off-Site Veterinary Facilities ..................................................................................................... 26 V-3. Preventative Medicine Program .................................................................................................................. 27 V-4. Clinical Pathology, Surgical, Treatment and Necropsy Facilities ................................................................... 27 V-5. Quarantine and Isolation of Lagomorphs, Rodents and Hyrax...................................................................... 29 i Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries – Standards for Lagomorph, Rodent and Hyrax Sanctuaries V-6. Medical Records and Controlled Substances................................................................................................ 30 V-7. Breeding/Contraception .............................................................................................................................. 31 V-8. Zoonotic Disease Program ........................................................................................................................... 32 WELL-BEING AND HANDLING OF LAGOMORPHS, RODENTS AND HYRAX ...................... 32 W-1. Physical Well-Being .................................................................................................................................... 32 W-2. Social Housing ............................................................................................................................................ 33 W-3. Introduction of Unfamiliar Individuals ........................................................................................................ 34 W-4. Behavioral/Psychological Well-Being .......................................................................................................... 35 W-5. Lagomorph, Rodent,Hyrax-Caregiver Relationships .................................................................................... 36 W-6. Handling and Restraint ............................................................................................................................... 36 STAFFING ............................................................................................................................................. 37 GENERAL STAFFING................................................................................................................................................ 37 S-1. General Staffing Considerations ................................................................................................................... 37 S-2. Security and Emergency Coverage ............................................................................................................... 38 S-3. Volunteer and Internship Programs ............................................................................................................. 38 S-4. Manuals ....................................................................................................................................................... 38 S-5. Employee Training and Continuing Education .............................................................................................. 40 SAFETY POLICIES, PROTOCOLS AND TRAINING ...................................................................................................... 40 S-6. General Staff Safety ..................................................................................................................................... 40 S-7. Communication System ............................................................................................................................... 40 S-8. Emergency Response Plans and Protocols .................................................................................................... 40 S-9. Escaped Lagomorph, Rodent and Hyrax Protocol ......................................................................................... 41 S-10. Emergency Training ................................................................................................................................... 41 S-11. Firearm Policy ............................................................................................................................................ 42 S-12. Firearm Training