Commercial Breeders

What I Need to Know

Recent changes to Animal Care rules in Missouri apply for all commercial breeders in Missouri. Changes to the rules include requirements to provide continuous access to potable water, an annual examination by a licensed veterinarian and a documented plan of care for any necessary medical treatment. The rules also ban wire strand flooring in all new construction immediately and set out the larger space requirements by the law.

Program of Veterinary Care

Each licensee subject to the Animal Care Facilities Act is responsible for providing necessary veterinary care to all dogs.

• Program of Veterinary Care for Licensees and Applicants
• Animal Care Examination List
• Kennel Medication List

According to the Missouri Solution, Missouri dog breeders with existing facilities must implement new veterinary standards during 2012 and double the size of their enclosures by Jan. 1, 2012. Newly constructed facilities and all facilities after 2016 should meet the additional size requirements and construction standards.

Animal Care Spacing Requirements

As part of those changes, additional space requirements will be phased in during 2012 and 2016.

Visit here to access an easy to use spacing requirement calculator.

Constant and Unfettered Access

Except as prescribed by rule, enclosures housing adult dogs must provide constant and unfettered access to an attached outdoor run.

General exemptions include the following:

1. Documented treatment for veterinary purposes.
2. Whelping- two weeks prior to due date to eight weeks post partum.
3. Temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, or during a severe weather alert.
4. From dusk to dawn.
5. To comply with municipal zoning ordinances.

Specific exemptions may be granted to existing facilities, but only by written approval of the Director of Agriculture. Applications are below.

• Indoor Facility
• Sheltered Facility

Animal Care Flooring

According to 2 CSR 30-9.010, wire strand flooring means pliable metallic strands in any length or diameter, mesh or grill-type, with or without a coating, and used for a surface on which an animal stands. Approved flooring means elevated flooring used for a surface on which an animal stands, approved by the state veterinarian, and listed below by description of manufacturer and specifications, as revised, except that for any enclosure newly constructed after April 15, 2011, and for all enclosures as of Jan. 1, 2016, flooring meeting the definition of wire strand shall be prohibited and ineligible as approved flooring;

Approved Flooring Manufacturers and Specifications

Please Note: The flooring on this list does not automatically qualify as compliant. Any flooring used in any ACFA-licensed facility must be constructed of materials strong enough to prevent sagging and with openings that will not allow the animals’ feet to pass through any openings in the floor.

Structural Plastic Flooring

Expanded Metal with Flexible Plastic Coated Flooring

Pre-manufactured Slatted Flooring

(No pre-manufactured slatted flooring submitted or approved at this time.)