CFR > Title 9 - Animals and Animal Products > CHAPTER I—ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE > SUBCHAPTER A—ANIMAL WELFARE (parts 1 to 12) > PART 3—STANDARDS > SUBPART A—Specifications for the Humane Handling, Care, Treatment, and Transportation of Dogs and Cats 1 (§3.1 to §3.19) > 3.7—Compatible grouping.

3.7—Compatible grouping.

Dogs and cats that are housed in the same primary enclosure must be compatible, with the following restrictions:
(a) Females in heat (estrus) may not be housed in the same primary enclosure with males, except for breeding purposes;
(b) Any dog or cat exhibiting a vicious or overly aggressive disposition must be housed separately;
(c) Puppies or kittens 4 months of age or less may not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adult dogs or cats other than their dams or foster dams, except when permanently maintained in breeding colonies;
(d) Dogs or cats may not be housed in the same primary enclosure with any other species of animals, unless they are compatible; and
(e) Dogs and cats that have or are suspected of having a contagious disease must be isolated from healthy animals in the colony, as directed by the attending veterinarian. When an entire group or room of dogs and cats is known to have or believed to be exposed to an infectious agent, the group may be kept intact during the process of diagnosis, treatment, and control.