§ 7-100. Grooming shops.

(a)

Permit required. No person shall operate a grooming shop unless a permit to operate such an establishment shall have been granted by the animal shelter department. Application procedures and requirements for such permit shall be in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the animal shelter advisory board under the provisions of this article. The permit period shall be the calendar year and the permit fee shall be as stated in section 7-30 for each permit period or part thereof beginning the first day of the calendar year.

(b)

Requirements for holding of permit. All grooming shops, including grooming shops operated in conjunction with another facility, shall, in addition to all other requirements of this article comply with the requirements set forth below. Failure to meet these requirements shall be grounds for denial of a permit to operate a grooming shop or revocation of any previously issued permit.

(c)

Application for permit; temporary permit. Permit application forms may be obtained from the animal shelter department at #1 Humane Way, P.O. Box 10640, Jefferson LA 70181-0640, or may be requested in writing or by telephone. Completed, notarized forms accompanied by the appropriate fee may be mailed to the above address. If an applicant certifies that all of the requirements of these rules and regulations are being met in his establishment, the animal shelter department may issue a temporary permit until such time as it may make a physical inspection of the establishment. Such temporary permit, however, shall not be valid for more than three (3) months from date of issue, and shall be revoked at the time of inspection if all permit requirements are not being met. Upon certification by an authorized representative of the animal shelter department that all pertinent requirements are being met, the director shall forthwith issue a regular permit which shall be valid until December thirty-first of the year issued.

(d)

Renewal of permit. Prior to December thirty-first of each year, all holders of animal handling permits must renew same by applying to the animal shelter department for the appropriate form, executing such form and remitting the current annual permit fee.

(e)

Inspection. All grooming shops shall be subject to inspection at any time by the animal shelter department.

(f)

Prohibitions. Dog groomers may not:

(1)

Tranquilize animals;

(2)

Expel obviously infected (abscessed) anal sacs;

(3)

Give medical advice.

(g)

Minimum standards for care of animals which are kept in cages or runs:

(1)

Fresh water for drinking shall be available to all species at all times. Containers are to be cleaned and disinfected each day. All water containers shall be removable for cleaning and be mounted so that the animals cannot turn them over. This provision shall be applicable only to animals kept over eight (8) hours;

(2)

Cage temperatures shall be maintained at a level that is healthful for the species of animal kept in the cage;

(3)

The floors of all cages and enclosures shall be of metal or nonporous plastic material for easy cleaning and disinfecting. Each cage must be of sufficient size so as to provide the minimum cage area per animal as specified in the tables of sections 7-107—7-109, depending upon the period of confinement. Cage floors shall be of solid material, or if of open mesh construction at least one-half (½) of the floor area shall be covered with cardboard, multiple layers of paper, plastic sheet or other continuous substantial material;

(4)

Appropriate food shall be provided for any animals retained longer than twelve (12) hours. Food for all animals shall be served in a clean dish so mounted that the animal cannot readily tip it over, or defecate or urinate in same;

(5)

There shall be sufficient clean, dry bedding in each cage to meet the needs of each individual animal. Boxes of sand or prepared litter shall be provided for cats;

(6)

No animals shall be kept in darkness during daylight hours;

(7)

Adult animals of opposite sexes shall not be kept in the same cage.

(h)

Standards for personnel:

(1)

There must be at least one (1) qualified dog groomer in charge at all times.

(2)

Groomers must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and have one (1) of the following qualifications:

a.

Certificate of graduation from state licensed school of grooming; or,

b.

Verifiable employment in the profession of dog grooming for a period of two (2) years in a licensed dog grooming establishment; or,

c.

Apprenticed for nine (9) months (minimum of nine hundred (900) hours) in a licensed dog grooming establishment.

(i)

Records; number and person to contact in emergencies. The holder of any grooming shop permit, shall keep available for inspection on the premises a record that shall show the name, current address and telephone number of the owner of each animal kept at the facility, the date such animal entered the facility, the reason for such animal being at the facility such as for boarding, sale, breeding or grooming; the description of the animal, including its age, breed, sex and color. The owner shall place in a visible place the name, address and telephone number of the parish animal shelter, or other party who can be contacted in case of emergency, to assume the care of the animals on the premises. In addition, the holder shall furnish to the parish animal shelter the name, address and telephone number of the veterinarian or other responsible party authorized to act on behalf of the holder in case of emergency.

(Code 1961, § 4-15(e), (e.1), (e.2); Ord. No. 20257, §§ 1, 3, 1-14-98; Ord. No. 24937 , § 1, 4-15-15)