DEC to host workshops on animal care standards

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of the State Veterinarian will host a second series of public workshops about proposed animal care standards. The workshops will be divided into five categories — domestic pets, horses, dogs, livestock and birds.

People are invited to attend by telephone at (800) 315-6338 (use pass code 8213 when prompted) or in person at the State Environmental Health Laboratory, 5251 MLK Jr. Ave., Anchorage. If you are unable to attend meetings, feel free to submit comments to the department in writing via mail or email.

Workshops are from 3:30 to 5 p.m., for the following categories:

• Domestic pets (not including dogs and birds) and general care standards is Feb. 16.

• Horses is Feb. 21.

• Dogs is Feb. 23.

• Livestock (diversified and common livestock, cattle, swine, goats, sheep, elk, reindeer, bison, etc.) is Feb. 27.

• Birds (primary focus on pet birds) is March 6.

A working draft of the proposed animal care standards and minutes from the first round of meetings are available at dec.alaska.gov/eh/vet/index.htm. Follow the “Animal Care Standards Workshops” link.

An agenda will be published on the website about one to two weeks before each meeting. Animal care standards will be proposed as part of a comprehensive revision of the state animal health regulations. A formal public comment period will be held for the entire regulation package later this year.

For more information, contact Jay Fuller, DVM assistant state veterinarian, at (907) 375-8213 or jay.fuller@alaska.gov, or Robert Gerlach, VMD state veterinarian at (907) 375-8214 or bob.gerlach@alaska.gov.