
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR3]

[Page 60-68]
 
                  TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
 
  CHAPTER I--ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 3--STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
Subpart B--Specifications for the Humane Handling, Care, Treatment, and Transpo
rtation of Guinea Pigs and Hamsters

                   Facilities and Operating Standards

Sec. 3.25  Facilities, general.

    (a) Structural strength. Indoor and outdoor housing facilities for 
guinea pigs or hamsters shall be structurally sound and shall be 
maintained in good repair, to protect the animals from injury, to 
contain the animals, and to restrict the entrance of other animals.
    (b) Water and electric power. Reliable and adequate electric power, 
if required to comply with other provisions of this subpart, and 
adequate potable water shall be available.
    (c) Storage. Supplies of food and bedding shall be stored in 
facilities which adequately protect such supplies against spoilage or 
deterioration and infestation or contamination by vermin. Food supplies 
shall be stored in containers with tightly fitting lids or covers or in 
the original containers as received from the commercial sources of 
supply. Refrigeration shall be provided for supplies of perishable food.
    (d) Waste disposal. Provisions shall be made for the removal and 
disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, dead animals, and debris. 
Disposal facilities shall be so provided and operated as to minimize 
vermin infestation, odors, and disease hazards.
    (e) Washroom and sinks. Facilities, such as washrooms, basins, or 
sinks, shall be provided to maintain cleanliness among animal 
caretakers.

[32 FR 3273, Feb. 24, 1967, as amended at 44 FR 63492, Nov. 2, 1979]

Sec. 3.26  Facilities, indoor.

    (a) Heating. Indoor housing facilities for guinea pigs or hamsters 
shall be sufficiently heated when necessary to protect the animals from 
the cold, and to provide for their health and comfort. The ambient 
temperature shall not be allowed to fall below 60  deg.F. nor to exceed 
85  deg.F.
    (b) Ventilation. Indoor housing facilities for guinea pigs or 
hamsters shall be adequately ventilated to provide for the health and 
comfort of the animals at all times. Such facilities shall be provided 
with fresh air either by means of windows, doors, vents, or air 
conditioning, and shall be ventilated so as to minimize drafts, odors, 
and moisture condensation. The ambient temperature shall not be allowed 
to rise above 85  deg.F.
    (c) Lighting. Indoor housing facilities for guinea pigs or hamsters 
shall have ample light, by natural or artificial means, or both, of good 
quality and well distributed. Such lighting shall provide uniformly 
distributed illumination of sufficient light intensity to permit routine 
inspection and cleaning during the entire working period. Primary 
enclosures shall be so placed as to protect the guinea pigs or hamsters 
from excessive illumination.
    (d) Interior surfaces. The interior building surfaces of indoor 
housing facilities shall be constructed and maintained so that they are 
substantially impervious to moisture and may be readily sanitized.

Sec. 3.27  Facilities, outdoor.

    (a) Hamsters shall not be housed in outdoor facilities.
    (b) Guinea pigs shall not be housed in outdoor facilities unless 
such facilities are located in an appropriate climate and prior approval 
for such outdoor housing is obtained from the Deputy Administrator.

Sec. 3.28  Primary enclosures.

    All primary enclosures for guinea pigs and hamsters shall conform to 
the following requirements:
    (a) General. (1) Primary enclosures shall be structurally sound and 
maintained in good repair to protect the guinea pigs and hamsters from 
injury. Such enclosures, including their racks, shelving and other 
accessories, shall be constructed of smooth material substantially 
impervious to liquids and moisture.

[[Page 61]]

    (2) Primary enclosures shall be constructed and maintained so that 
the guinea pigs or hamsters contained therein have convenient access to 
clean food and water as required in this subpart.
    (3) Primary enclosures having a solid floor shall be provided with 
clean bedding material.
    (4) Primary enclosures equipped with mesh or wire floors shall be so 
constructed as to allow feces to pass through the spaces of the mesh or 
wire: Provided, however, That such floors shall be constructed so as to 
protect the animals' feet and legs from injury.
    (b) Space requirements for primary enclosures acquired before August 
15, 1990.--(1) Guinea pigs and hamsters. Primary enclosures shall be 
constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space for each 
animal contained therein to make normal postural adjustments with 
adequate freedom of movement.
    (2) Guinea pigs. In addition to the provisions of paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section, the following space requirements are applicable to 
primary enclosures for guinea pigs:
    (i) The interior height of any primary enclosure used to confine 
guinea pigs shall be at least 6\1/2\ inches.
    (ii) Each guinea pig housed in a primary enclosure shall be provided 
a minimum amount of floor space in accordance with the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Minimum
                                                               space per
                 Weight or stage of maturity                  guinea pig
                                                                (square
                                                                inches)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weaning to 350 grams........................................          60
350 grams or more...........................................          90
Breeders....................................................         180
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Hamsters. In addition to the provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section, the following space requirements are applicable to primary 
enclosures for hamsters:
    (i) The interior height of any primary enclosure used to confine 
hamsters shall be at least 5\1/2\ inches, except that in the case of 
dwarf hamsters, such interior height shall be at least 5 inches.
    (ii) A nursing female hamster, together with her litter, shall be 
housed in a primary enclosure which contains no other hamsters and which 
provides at least 121 square inches of floor space: Provided, however, 
That in the case of dwarf hamsters such floor space shall be at least 25 
square inches.
    (iii) The minimum amount of floor space per individual hamster and 
the maximum number of hamsters allowed in a single primary enclosure, 
except as provided for nursing females in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this 
section, shall be in accordance with the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Minimum space per
                                            hamster (square     Maximum
                   Age                          inches)       population
                                         --------------------     per
                                            Dwarf     Other    enclosure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weaning to 5 wks........................       5.0      10.0          20
5 to 10 wks.............................       7.5      12.5          16
10 wks. or more.........................         9      15.0          13
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Space requirements for primary enclosures acquired on or after 
August 15, 1990--(1) Guinea pigs. (i) Primary enclosures shall be 
constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space for each 
guinea pig contained therein to make normal postural adjustments with 
adequte freedom of movement.
    (ii) The interior height of any primary enclosure used to confine 
guinea pigs shall be at least 7 inches (17.78 cm).
    (iii) Each guinea pig shall be provided a minimum amount of floor 
space in any primary enclosure as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Minimum floor
                                                               space
               Weight or stage of maturity               ---------------
                                                          in\2\   cm\2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weaning to 350 grams....................................     60   387.12
>350 grams..............................................    101   651.65
Nursing females with their litters......................    101   651.65
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Hamsters. (i) Primary enclosures shall be constructed and 
maintained so as to provide sufficient space for each hamster contained 
therein to make normal postural adjustments with adequate freedom of 
movement.
    (ii) The interior height of any primary enclosure used to confine 
hamsters shall be at least 6 inches (15.24 cm).
    (iii) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section, 
each hamster shall be provided a minimum amount of floor space in any 
primary enclosure as follows:

[[Page 62]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Weight                            Minimum floor
-------------------------------------------------------     space per
                                                             hamster
           g                          ozs              -----------------
                                                         in\2\    cm\2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
60                      2.1                                  10    64.52
60 to 80                2.1-2.8                              13    83.88
80 to 100               2.8-3.5                              16   103.23
>100                    >3.5                                 19   122.59
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iv) A nursing female hamster, together with her litter, shall be 
housed in a primary enclosure that contains no other hamsters and that 
provides at least 121 square inches of floor space: Provided, however, 
That in the case of nursing female dwarf hamsters such floor space shall 
be at least 25 square inches.
    (3) Innovative primary enclosures that do not precisely meet the 
space requirements of paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this section, but 
that do provide guinea pigs or hamsters with a sufficient volume of 
space and the opportunity to express species-typical behavior, may be 
used at research facilities when approved by the Institutional Animal 
Care and Use Committee, and by dealers and exhibitors when approved by 
the Administrator.

[32 FR 3273, Feb. 24, 1967, as amended at 55 FR 28882, July 16, 1990]

                  Animal Health and Husbandry Standards

Sec. 3.29  Feeding.

    (a) Guinea pigs and hamsters shall be fed each day except as 
otherwise might be required to provide adequate veterinary care. The 
food shall be free from contamination, wholesome, palatable and of 
sufficient quantity and nutritive value to meet the normal daily 
requirements for the condition and size of the guinea pig or hamster.
    (b) Food comprising the basic diet shall be at least equivalent in 
quality and content to pelleted rations produced commercially and 
commonly available from feed suppliers.
    (c) The basic diet of guinea pigs and hamsters may be supplemented 
with good quality fruits or vegetables consistent with their individual 
dietary requirements.
    (d) Food receptacles, if used, shall be accessible to all guinea 
pigs or hamsters in a primary enclosure and shall be located so as to 
minimize contamination by excreta. All food receptacles shall be kept 
clean and shall be sanitized at least once every 2 weeks. If self-
feeders are used for the feeding of pelleted feed, measures must be 
taken to prevent molding, deterioration or caking of the feed. Hamsters 
may be fed pelleted feed on the floor of a primary enclosure.
    (e) Fruit or vegetable food supplements may be placed upon the 
bedding within the primary enclosure: Provided, however, That the 
uneaten portion of such supplements and any bedding soiled as a result 
of such feeding practices shall be removed from the primary enclosure 
when such uneaten supplements accumulate or such bedding becomes soiled 
to a degree that might be harmful or uncomfortable to animals therein.

Sec. 3.30  Watering.

    Unless food supplements consumed by guinea pigs or hamsters supply 
them with their normal water requirements, potable water shall be 
provided daily except as might otherwise be required to provide adequate 
veterinary care. Open containers used for dispensing water to guinea 
pigs or hamsters shall be so placed in or attached to the primary 
enclosure as to minimize contamination from excreta. All watering 
receptacles shall be sanitized when dirty: Provided, however, That such 
receptacles shall be sanitized at least once every 2 weeks.

Sec. 3.31  Sanitation.

    (a) Cleaning and sanitation of primary enclosures. (1) Primary 
enclosures shall be cleaned and sanitized often enough to prevent an 
accumulation of excreta or debris: Provided, however, That such 
enclosures shall be sanitized at least once every 2 weeks in the manner 
provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
    (2) In the event a primary enclosure becomes soiled or wet to a 
degree that might be harmful or uncomfortable to the animals therein due 
to leakage of the watering system, discharges from dead or dying 
animals, spoiled perishable foods, or moisture condensation, the guinea 
pigs or hamsters shall be transferred to clean primary enclosures.

[[Page 63]]

    (3) Prior to the introduction of guinea pigs or hamsters into empty 
primary enclosures previously occupied, such enclosures shall be 
sanitized in the manner provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
    (4) Primary enclosures for guinea pigs or hamsters shall be 
sanitized by washing them with hot water (180  deg.F.) and soap or 
detergent as in a mechanical cage washer, or by washing all soiled 
surfaces with a detergent solution followed by a safe and effective 
disinfectant, or by cleaning all soiled surfaces with live steam.
    (b) Housekeeping. Premises (buildings and grounds) shall be kept 
clean and in good repair in order to protect the animals from injury and 
to facilitate the prescribed husbandry practices set forth in this 
subpart. Premises shall remain free of accumulations of trash.
    (c) Pest control. An effective program for the control of insects, 
ectoparasites, and avian and mammalian pests shall be established and 
maintained.

Sec. 3.32  Employees.

    A sufficient number of employees shall be utilized to maintain the 
prescribed level of husbandry practices set forth in this subpart. Such 
practices shall be under the supervision of an animal caretaker who has 
a background in animal husbandry or care.

Sec. 3.33  Classification and separation.

    Animals housed in the same primary enclosure shall be maintained in 
compatible groups, with the following additional restrictions:
    (a) Except where harem breeding is practiced, preweanling guinea 
pigs shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adults other 
than their parents.
    (b) Guinea pigs shall not be housed in the same primary enclosure 
with hamsters, nor shall guinea pigs or hamsters be housed in the same 
primary enclosure with any other species of animals.
    (c) Guinea pigs or hamsters under quarantine or treatment for a 
communicable disease shall be separated from other guinea pigs or 
hamsters and other susceptible species of animals in such a manner as to 
minimize dissemination of such disease.

Sec. 3.34  [Reserved]

                        Transportation Standards

    Authority: Sections 3.35 through 3.41 issued under secs. 3, 5, 6, 
10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 21; 80 Stat. 353; 84 Stat. 1561, 1562, 1563, 1564; 
90 Stat. 418, 419, 420, 423; (7 U.S.C. 2133, 2135, 2136, 2140, 2141, 
2144, 2146, 2147, 2151); 37 FR 28464, 28477, 38 FR 19141.

Sec. 3.35  Consignments to carriers and intermediate handlers.

    (a) Carriers and intermediate handlers shall not accept any live 
guinea pig or hamster presented by any dealer, research facility, 
exhibitor, operator of an auction sale, or other person, or any 
department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or any State 
or local govenment for shipment, in commerce, more than 4 hours prior to 
the scheduled departure of the primary conveyance on which it is to be 
transported: Provided, however, That the carrier or intermediate handler 
and any dealer, research facility, exhibitor, operator of an auction 
sale, or other person, or any department, agency, or instrumentality of 
the United States or any State or local government may mutually agree to 
extend the time of acceptance to not more than 6 hours if specific prior 
scheduling of the animal shipment to destination has been made.
    (b) Any carrier or intermediate handler shall only accept for 
transportation or transport, in commerce any live guinea pig or hamster 
in a primary enclosure which conforms to the requirements set forth in 
Sec. 3.36 of the standards: Provided, however, That any carrier or 
intermediate handler may accept for transportation or transport, in 
commerce, any live guinea pig or hamster consigned by any department, 
agency, or instrumentality of the United States having laboratory animal 
facilities or exhibiting animals, or any licensed or registered dealer, 
research facility, exhibitor, or operator of an auction sale, if such 
consignor furnishes to the carrier or intermediate handler a 
certificate, signed by the consignor, stating that the primary enclosure 
complies with Sec. 3.36 of the standards, unless such primary enclosure 
is obviously defective or damaged

[[Page 64]]

and it is apparent that it cannot reasonably be expected to contain the 
live guinea pig or hamster without causing suffering or injury to such 
live guinea pig or hamster. A copy of such certificate shall accompany 
the shipment to destination. The certificate of compliance shall include 
at least the following information:
    (1) Name and address of the consignor;
    (2) The number of guinea pigs or hamsters in the primary 
enclosure(s);
    (3) A certifying statement (e.g., ``I hereby certify that the 
__*lowbarm; (number) primary enclosure(s) which are used to transport 
the animal(s) in this shipment complies (comply) with USDA standards for 
primary enclosures (9 CFR part 3).''); and
    (4) The signature of the consignor, and date.
    (c) Carriers or intermediate handlers whose facilities fail to meet 
the minimum temperature allowed by the standards may accept for 
transportation or transport, in commerce, any live hamster consigned by 
any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or of 
any State or local government, or by any person (including any licensee 
or registrant under the Act, as well as any private individual) if the 
consignor furnishes to the carrier or intermediate handler a certificate 
executed by a veterinarian accredited by this Department pursuant to 
part 160 of this title on a specified date which shall not be more than 
10 days prior to delivery of such hamster for transportation in 
commerce, stating that such live hamster is acclimated to air 
temperatures lower than those prescribed in Secs. 3.40 and 3.41. A copy 
of such certificate shall accompany the shipment to destination. The 
certificate shall include the following information:
    (1) Name and address of the consignor;
    (2) The number of hamsters in the shipment;
    (3) A certifying statement (e.g., ``I hereby certify that the 
animal(s) in this shipment is (are), to the best of my knowledge, 
acclimated to air temperatures lower than 7.2  deg.C. (45  deg.F.).''); 
and
    (4) The signature of the USDA accredited veterinarian, assigned 
accreditation number, and date.
    (d) Carriers and intermediate handlers shall attempt to notify the 
consignee at least once in every 6 hour period following the arrival of 
any live guinea pig or hamster at the animal holding area of the 
terminal cargo facility. The time, date, and method of each attempted 
notification and the final notification to the consignee and the name of 
the person notifying the consignee shall be recorded on the copy of the 
shipping document retained by the carrier or intermediate handler and on 
a copy of the shipping document accompanying the animal shipment.

[42 FR 31563, June 21, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 22163, May 16, 1978; 44 
FR 63492, Nov. 2, 1979]

Sec. 3.36  Primary enclosures used to transport live guinea pigs and 
          hamsters.

    No person subject to the Animal Welfare regulations shall offer for 
transportation, or transport, in commerce any live guinea pig or hamster 
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 guinea pigs or hamsters shall 
be constructed in such a manner that (1) the structural strength of the 
enclosure shall be sufficient to contain the live guinea pigs or 
hamsters 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 guinea pigs or hamsters contained therein; (3) 
the inner surfaces of corrugated fiberboard, cardboard, or plastic 
containers shall be covered or laminated with wire mesh or screen where 
necessary to prevent escape of the animals; (4) the openings of such 
enclosures are easily accessible at all times for emergency removal of 
the live guinea pigs or hamsters; (5) except as provided in paragraph 
(i) 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

[[Page 65]]

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; (6) except as 
provided in paragraph (i) 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 minimum air circulation space of 1.9 centimeters (.75 
inches) between the primary enclosure and any adjacent cargo or 
conveyance wall; and (7) except as provided in paragraph (i) 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 guinea 
pigs or hamsters.
    (b) Live guinea pigs or hamsters tranported in the same primary 
enclosure shall be of the same species and maintained in compatible 
groups.
    (c) Primary enclosures used to transport live guinea pigs or 
hamsters shall be large enough to ensure that each animal contained 
therein has sufficient space to turn about freely and to make normal 
postural adjustments.
    (d) Not more than 15 live guinea pigs shall be transported in the 
same primary enclosure. No more than 50 live hamsters shall be 
transported in the same primary enclosure.
    (e) In addition to the other provisions of this section, the 
following requirements shall also apply to primary enclosures used to 
transport live guinea pigs or hamsters:
    (1) Guinea pigs. (i) The interior height of primary enclosures used 
to tranport live guinea pigs weighing up to 500 grams shall be at least 
15.2 centimeters (6 inches) and the interior height of primary 
enclosures used to transport live guinea pigs weighing over 500 grams 
shall be at least 17.8 centimeters (7 inches).
    (ii) Each live guinea pig transported in a primary enclosure shall 
be provided a minimum amount of floor space in accordance with the 
following table:

                    Minimum space per live guinea pig
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Square      Square
                 Weight (grams)                  centimeters    inches
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 350......................................        193.6          30
350 to 600.....................................        290.3          45
Over 600.......................................        354.8          55
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Hamsters. (i) The interior height of primary enclosures used to 
transport live hamsters shall be at least 15.2 centimeters (6 inches) 
except that in the case of dwarf hamsters such interior height shall be 
at least 12.7 centimeters (5 inches).
    (ii) Each live hamster transported in a primary enclosure shall be 
provided a minimum amount of floor space in accordance with the 
following table:

                                         Minimum space per live hamster
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
                                                                           Dwar
f                   Other
                                                                 --------------
---------------------------------
                               Age                                   Square    
  Square      Square      Square
                                                                  centimeters  
  inches   centimeters    inches
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
Weaning to 5 wks................................................        32.2   
      5.0        45.2           7
5 to 10 wks.....................................................        48.3   
      7.5        71.0          11
Over 10 wks.....................................................        58.1   
      9.0        96.8          15
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    (f) Primary enclosures used to transport live guinea pigs or 
hamsters 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. 3.31 of the standards, if previously used. Such 
primary enclosures shall contain clean

[[Page 66]]

litter of a suitable absorbent material, which is safe and nontoxic to 
the guinea pigs or hamsters, in sufficient quantity to absorb and cover 
excreta, unless the guinea pigs or hamsters are on wire or other 
nonsolid floors.
    (g) Primary enclosures used to transport live guinea pigs or 
hamsters, 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 words ``Live Animals'' 
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.
    (h) 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.
    (i) 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 31563, June 21, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 21163, May 16, 1978; 55 
FR 28882, July 16, 1990]

Sec. 3.37  Primary conveyances (motor vehicle, rail, air, and marine).

    (a) The animal cargo space of primary conveyances used in 
transporting live guinea pigs and hamsters shall be designed and 
constructed to protect the health, and ensure the safety and comfort of 
the live guinea pigs and hamsters at all times.
    (b) The animal cargo space shall be constructed and maintained in a 
manner to prevent the ingress of engine exhaust fumes and gases from the 
primary conveyance during transportation in commerce.
    (c) No live guinea pig or hamster shall be placed in an animal cargo 
space that does not have a supply of air sufficient for normal breathing 
for each live animal contained therein, and the primary enclosures shall 
be positioned in the animal cargo space in such a manner that each live 
guinea pig or hamster has access to sufficient air for normal breathing.
    (d) Primary enclosures shall be positioned in the primary conveyance 
in such a manner that in an emergency the live guinea pigs or hamsters 
can be removed from the primary conveyance as soon as possible.
    (e) The interior of the animal cargo space shall be kept clean.
    (f) Live guinea pigs and hamsters shall not be transported with any 
material, substance (e.g., dry ice) or device which may reasonably be 
expected to be injurious to the health and well-being of the guinea pigs 
and hamsters unless proper precaution is taken to prevent such injury.
    (g) The animal cargo space of primary conveyances used to transport 
guinea pigs or hamsters shall be mechanically sound and provide fresh 
air by means of windows, doors, vents, or air conditioning so as to 
minimize drafts, odors, and moisture condensation. Auxiliary 
ventilation, such as fans, blowers, or air conditioners, shall be used 
in any cargo space containing live guinea pigs or hamsters when the 
ambient temperature in the animal cargo space is 75  deg.F (23.9  deg.C) 
or higher. The ambient temperature within the animal cargo space shall 
not exceed 85  deg.F (29.5  deg.C) or fall below 45  deg.F (7.2  deg.C), 
except that the ambient temperature in the cargo space may be below 45 
deg.F (7.2  deg.C) for hamsters if the hamsters are accompanied by a 
certificate of acclimation to lower temperatures, as provided in 
Sec. 3.35(c) of this part.

[42 FR 31563, June 21, 1977, as amended at 55 FR 28882, July 16, 1990]

Sec. 3.38  Food and water requirements.

    (a) If live guinea pigs or hamsters are to be transported for a 
period of more than 6 hours, the animals shall have access to food and 
water or a type of food, which provides the requirements for food and 
water in quantity and quality sufficient to satisfy their food and water 
needs, during transit.
    (b) Any dealer, research facility, exhibitor or operator of an 
auction sale

[[Page 67]]

offering any live guinea pig or hamster to any carrier or intermediate 
handler for transportation, in commerce, shall provide an adequate 
supply of food or type of food, which provides the requirements for food 
and water, within the primary enclosure to meet the requirements of this 
section.
    (c) No carrier or intermediate handler shall accept for 
transportation, in commerce, any live guinea pig or hamster without an 
adequate supply of food or type of food, which provides the requirements 
for food and water, within the primary enclosure to meet the 
requirements of this section.

[42 FR 31563, June 21, 1977]

Sec. 3.39  Care in transit.

    (a) During surface transportation, it shall be the responsibility of 
the driver or other employee to visually observe the live guinea pigs or 
hamsters as frequently as circumstances may dictate, but not less than 
once every 4 hours, to assure that they are receiving sufficient air for 
normal breathing, their ambient temperatures are within the prescribed 
limits, all other applicable standards are being complied with and to 
determine whether any of the live guinea pigs or hamsters are in obvious 
physical distress and to provide any needed veterinary care as soon as 
possible. When transported by air, live guinea pigs and hamsters shall 
be visually observed by the carrier as frequently as circumstances may 
dictate, but not less than once every 4 hours, if the animal cargo space 
is accessible during flight. If the animal cargo space is not accessible 
during flight, the carrier shall visually observe the live guinea pigs 
or hamsters whenever loaded and unloaded and whenever the animal cargo 
space is otherwise accessible to assure that they are receiving 
sufficient air for normal breathing, their ambient temperatures are 
within the prescribed limits, all other applicable standards are being 
complied with and to determine whether any such live guinea pigs or 
hamsters are in obvious physical distress. The carrier shall provide any 
needed veterinary care as soon as possible. No guinea pig or hamster in 
obvious physical distress shall be transported in commerce.
    (b) During the course of transportation, in commerce, live guinea 
pigs or hamsters shall not be removed from their primary enclosures 
unless placed in other primary enclosures or facilities conforming to 
the requirements provided in this subpart.

[42 FR 31563, June 21, 1977]

Sec. 3.40  Terminal facilities.

    No person subject to the Animal Welfare regulations shall commingle 
shipments of live guinea pigs or hamsters with inanimate cargo. All 
animal holding areas of a terminal facility where shipments of live 
guinea pigs or hamsters are maintained shall be cleaned and sanitized as 
prescribed in Sec. 3.31 of the standards often enough to prevent an 
accumulation of debris or excreta, to minimize vermin infestation, and 
to prevent a disease hazard. An effective program for the control of 
insects, ectoparasites, and avian and mammalian pests shall be 
established and maintained for all animal holding areas. Any animal 
holding area containing live guinea pigs or hamsters shall be provided 
with fresh air by means of windows, doors, vents, or air conditioning 
and may be ventilated or air circulated by means of fans, blowers, or an 
air conditioning system so as to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture 
condensation. Auxiliary ventilation, such as exhaust fans and vents or 
fans or blowers or air conditioning shall be used for any animal holding 
area containing live guinea pigs and hamsters when the air temperature 
within such animal holding area is 23.9  deg.C. (75.  deg.F.) or higher. 
The air temperature around any live guinea pig or hamster in any animal 
holding area shall not be allowed to fall below 7.2  deg.C. (45  deg.F.) 
nor be allowed to exceed 29.5  deg.C. (85  deg.F.) at any time. To 
ascertain compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, the air 
temperature around any live guinea pig or hamster shall be measured and 
read outside the primary enclosure which contains such guinea pig or 
hamster at a distance not to exceed .91 meters (3 feet) from any one of 
the external walls of the primary enclosure and measured on a level 
parallel to the bottom of such primary enclosure at a point which 
approximates half the distance

[[Page 68]]

between the top and bottom of such primary enclosure.

[43 FR 56215, Dec. 1, 1978, as amended at 55 FR 28883, July 16, 1990]

Sec. 3.41  Handling.

    (a) Any person who is subject to the Animal Welfare regulations and 
who moves live guinea pigs or hamsters from an animal holding area of a 
terminal facility to a primary conveyance or vice versa shall do so as 
quickly and efficiently as possible. Any person subject to the Animal 
Welfare Act and holding any live guinea pig or hamster in an animal 
holding area of a terminal facility or transporting any live guinea pig 
or hamster to or from a terminal facility shall provide the following:
    (1) Shelter from sunlight. When sunlight is likely to cause 
overheating or discomfort, sufficient shade shall be provided to protect 
the live guinea pigs and hamsters from the direct rays of the sun and 
such live guinea pigs or hamsters shall not be subjected to surrounding 
air temperatures which exceed 29.5  deg.C. (85  deg.F.), and which shall 
be measured and read in the manner prescribed Sec. 3.40 of this part, 
for a period of more than 45 minutes.
    (2) Shelter from rain or snow. Live guinea pigs and hamsters shall 
be provided protection to allow them to remain dry during rain or snow.
    (3) Shelter from cold weather. Transporting devices shall be covered 
to provide protection for live guinea pigs and hamsters when the outdoor 
air temperature falls below 10  deg.C. (50  deg.F.), and such live 
guinea pigs and hamsters shall not be subjected to surrounding air 
temperatures which fall below 7.2  deg.C. (45  deg.F.), and which shall 
be measured and read in the manner prescribed in Sec. 3.40 of this part, 
for a period of more than 45 minutes.
    (b) Care shall be exercised to avoid handling of the primary 
enclosure in such a manner that may cause physical or emotional trauma 
to the live guinea pig or hamster contained therein.
    (c) Primary enclosures used to transport any live guinea pig or 
hamster shall not be tossed, dropped, or needlessly tilted and shall not 
be stacked in a manner which may reasonably be expected to result in 
their falling.

[43 FR 21163, May 16, 1978, as amended at 43 FR 56216, Dec. 1, 1978; 55 
FR 28883, July 16, 1990]
