Animal Use on the UIUC Campus
Policies Pertaining to the Care and Use
of Animals in Research and Teaching



Policy on the Exercise of Dogs

The revised USDA rules and regulations regarding the exercise of dogs were published in the Federal Register, Vol. 56, No. 32 on February 15, 1991. These standards are found in 9 CFR, Part 3, Subpart A, Section 3.8, and were effective as of August 14, 1991. The following procedures are designed to assure compliance with these rules and regulations.
  1. Methods of Compliance
    1. Dogs housed in runs do not require additional opportunity for exercise provided that dogs housed singly have at least twice the minimum required floor space, or dogs housed in pairs or groups have the sum of the minimum required floor space for each dog (see methods for space calculations below).
    2. For dogs that are housed singly with less than twice the minimum floor area, exercise may be provided by:
      1. Releasing one or more dogs into the animal room or other enclosed area for at least 20 minutes three times each week. Compatible animals of the same sex may be released into the animal housing room or other enclosed exercise area concurrently. Interaction with other dogs or humans during this exercise period is strongly recommended. Exercise periods will be recorded in the daily log of the animal room;
      2. Walking dogs indoors or outdoors on a leash for at least 15 minutes three times a week;
      3. Similar activities approved by the institutional veterinarian.
        Note: Forced exercise such as swimming or treadmills does not meet the exercise requirements.

  2. Exemptions
    1. Quarantine and Conditioning: During the quarantine and conditioning period, the opportunity for exercise will automatically be limited to daily cleaning of the primary enclosure to prevent the spread of disease between dogs within a group and between groups of animals. The quarantine period will end at the discretion of the veterinary staff, but will not exceed 30 days unless authorized in writing by the institutional veterinarian.
    2. Medical Exemptions: The veterinary staff may suspend the exercise requirement for any dog for medical reasons, provided that the exemption is documented and justified in the animals medical record. Medical exemptions must be reviewed and documented every 30 days unless the medical condition is permanent. The veterinary staff may exempt a dog from the exercise requirement if the dog’s behavior is a potential hazard to personnel.
    3. Dogs under 12 weeks of age: Regulations do not require pups under 12 weeks of age to be included in the exercise plan. Human contact with 6-12 week old pups is encouraged.
    4. Protocol Exemption: An investigator may request an exemption from the exercise requirement for scientific reasons in the animal use protocol. The reason for the exemption must be justified in the protocol, and the protocol must be approved by the institutional veterinarian and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Exemptions of this kind must be reviewed and approved annually by the IACUC or its designee.

      Minimum Floor Area = (inches from nose to base of tail +6)2
             (sq. ft.)                                     144 sq. in


      Revision Approved: November 7, 2001