[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3.61]

[Page 72-73]
 
                  TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
 
  CHAPTER I--ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 3_STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart C_Specifications for the Humane Handling, Care, Treatment and 
                        Transportation of Rabbits
 
Sec.  3.61  Primary enclosures used to transport live rabbits.

    No person subject to the Animal Welfare regulations shall offer for 
transportation or transport in commerce any live rabbit in a primary 
enclosure that does not conform to the following requirements:
    (a) Primary enclosures, such as compartments, transport cages, 
cartons, or crates, used to transport live rabbits shall be constructed 
in such a manner that:
    (1) The stuctural strength of the enclosure shall be sufficient to 
contain the live rabbits and to withstand the normal rigors of 
transportation;
    (2) The interior of the enclosure shall be free from any protrusions 
that could be injurious to the live rabbits contained therein;
    (3) The openings of such enclosures are easily accessible at all 
times for emergency removal of the live rabbits;
    (4) Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, there are 
ventilation openings located on two opposite walls of the primary 
enclosure and the ventilation openings on each such wall shall be at 
least 16 percent of the total surface area of each such wall, or there 
are ventilation openings located on all four walls of the primary 
enclosure and the ventilation openings on each such wall shall be at 
least 8 percent of the total surface area of each such wall: Provided, 
however, That at least one-third of the total minimum area required for 
ventilation of the primary enclosure shall be located on the lower one-
half of the primary enclosure and at least one-third of the total 
minimum area required for ventilation of the primary enclosure shall be 
located on the upper one-half of the primary enclosure;
    (5) Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, projecting 
rims or other devices shall be on the exterior of the outside walls with 
any ventilation openings to prevent obstruction of the ventilation 
openings and to provide a

[[Page 73]]

minimum air circulation space 1.9 centimeters (.75 inch) between the 
primary enclosure and any adjacent cargo or conveyance wall; and
    (6) Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, adequate 
handholds or other devices for lifting shall be provided on the exterior 
of the primary enclosure to enable the primary enclosure to be lifted 
without tilting and to ensure that the person handling the primary 
enclosure will not be in contact with the rabbit.
    (b) Live rabbits transported in the same primary enclosure shall be 
maintained in compatible groups and shall not be transported in the same 
primary enclosure with other specie of animals.
    (c) Primary enclosures used to transport live rabbits shall be large 
enough to ensure that each rabbit contained therein has sufficient space 
to turn about freely and to make normal postural adjustments.
    (d) Not more than 15 live rabbits shall be transported in the same 
primary enclosure.
    (e) Primary enclosures used to transport live rabbits as provided in 
this section shall have solid bottoms to prevent leakage in shipment and 
shall be cleaned and sanitized in a manner prescribed in Sec.  3.56 of 
the standards, if previously used. Such primary enclosures shall contain 
clean litter of a suitable absorbent material which is safe and nontoxic 
to the rabbits, in sufficient quantity to absorb and cover excreta, 
unless the rabbits are on wire or other nonsolid floors.
    (f) Primary enclosures used to transport live rabbits, except where 
such primary enclosures are permanently affixed in the animal cargo 
space of the primary conveyance, shall be clearly marked on top and on 
one or more sides with the works ``Live Animal'' in letters not less 
than 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) in height, and with arrows or other 
markings, to indicate the correct upright position of the container.
    (g) Documents accompanying the shipment shall be attached in an 
easily accessible manner to the outside of a primary enclosure which is 
part of such shipment.
    (h) When a primary enclosure is permanently affixed within the 
animal cargo space of the primary conveyance so that the front opening 
is the only source of ventilation for such primary enclosure, the front 
opening shall open directly to the outside or to an unobstructed aisle 
or passageway within the primary conveyance. Such front ventilation 
opening shall be at least 90 percent of the total surface area of the 
front wall of the primary enclosure and covered with bars, wire mesh or 
smooth expanded metal.

[42 FR 31565, June 21, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 21164, May 16, 1978; 55 
FR 28883, July 16, 1990]