PACFA Newsletter | Winter 2020
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Office Closed - President's Day
February 17
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All PACFA Licenses Expire
March 1
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Welcome to the Winter 2020 edition of the PACFA Newsletter. We hope everyone had a great holiday season and a great start to the New Year!
Renewal time is here! In this edition you will find lots of helpful information to assist you with renewing your PACFA license plus instructions on h
ow you can print your renewed license right from your AgLicense account.
We have included an article about the new spay-neuter provision that was included in SB 19-158 last year with tips on how shelters and rescues can comply with the new law.
Featured in this edition is the Inspector's Corner where PACFA Inspectors have provided tips and suggestions to help you comply with PACFA and the rules and regulations.
The Department is recruiting applicants to serve on the PACFA Advisory Committee. There are currently five openings; see details below under Program Updates.
Janee Boswell will be joining the PACFA team as our new Inspection and Investigation Unit Manager on February 3rd. Janee previously served as the Animal Control Supervisor for the Boulder Police Department and served as the President of the Colorado Association of Animal Control Officers (CAACO) for eight years. We are excited to have Janee join the PACFA team!
We look forward to working with you towards a successful 2020!
Nick Fisher, PACFA Program Section Chief
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License Renewals
There is a lot that goes into renewing your PACFA license and we are here to assist you.
All 2019/20 PACFA licenses will expire March 1, 2020.
A few changes to be aware of during renewal:
- New license fees went into effect October 30, 2019
- New late fee
- New Annual Statistics Forms
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Tips to Help Animal Shelters and Rescues Comply with the New Spay-Neuter Law
During last years legislative session, an amendment was promoted by the Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies (CFAWA) to 35-80-106.4, C.R.S., in Senate Bill 19-158, the PACFA Sunset Bill. The amendment was adopted and requires all animal shelters and animal rescues to spay or neuter dogs and cats prior to release to a prospective owner. The new provision in the Act became effective on August 2, 2019.
The provisions in 35-80-106.4, C.R.S., provide two exemptions from the requirement as follows:
- If a licensed veterinarian declares in writing that a sterilization procedure could jeopardize the life or health of the dog or cat, the procedure may be delayed until such time that a veterinarian determines that the dog or cat is fit to undergo the sterilization procedure. At, such time, the prospective owner shall have the animal sterilized. If the determination for unfitness for sterilization has been made prior to release, the animal shelter or pet animal rescue may release the dog or cat to the prospective owner, subject to the provisions of this subsection.
- A facility in an area with limited access to licensed veterinarians that has been granted an exemption by the commissioner.
Animal shelters and rescues
do not have to request an exemption from the Commissioner if a veterinarian determines that the sterilization procedure could jeopardize the life or health of a dog or cat prior to release to the prospective owner. Animal shelters and rescues
are required to have a letter from a Colorado licensed veterinarian for each specific animal that is unfit for sterilization prior to release and must maintain that letter with the treatment records that are kept for that specific animal.
Animal shelters and rescues
may not use a blanket exemption letter signed by a veterinarian, the rules and regulations that govern veterinarians under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) require veterinarians to establish a veterinary client patient relationship (VCPR) for each animal they determine is unfit for sterilization.
Any shelter or rescue that has further questions regarding compliance with 35-80-106.4, C.R.S., should contact your inspector or use the Contact Us button at the bottom of this newsletter.
For more information on the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) position on pediatric sterilization click on the button below.
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PACFA Advisory Committee
The PACFA Advisory Committee was created under section 35-80-115, C.R.S., of the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act, to assist the commissioner in promulgating rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of PACFA. The committee consists of seventeen members representing: animal rescue, animal shelters, small-scale dog breeders, large-scale dog breeders, cat breeders, bird breeders, small animal breeders, boarding kennels, dog daycare industry, pet grooming, pet animal retailers, pet animal wholesalers, and three members of the general public. All members of the advisory committee must be residents of the State of Colorado.
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PACFA Advisory Committee News
Four outgoing PACFA Advisory Committee Members were celebrated at the November 14, 2019 meeting. Martha Smith (Animal Rescue, pictured left), Steve Waugh (Wholesale Facilities, pictured center), and Doug Johnson (Boarding/Training, pictured right) received certificates of appreciation from PACFA Program Manager, Nick Fisher and CDA Deputy Commissioner, Steve Silverman. Jens Larsen (Retail Facilities, not pictured) could not be at the meeting.
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Advisory Committee Vacancies
There are five (5) vacant seats on the PACFA Advisory Committee that we are looking to fill. The seats are for Animal Rescue, Boarding/Training, Cat Breeder, Retail Facilities and Small Mammal Breeder. A preferred qualification for the Animal Rescue position this year is that the representative
also hold a Pet Transporter license.
Applications may be submitted through this link or on our web page at the PACFA Advisory Committee page. Prospective applicants must be licensed as a pet animal facility for the category they want to apply for. Advisory Committee appointments are volunteer positions with three year appointments. The Advisory Committee usually meets two times per year in the Spring and Fall.
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New PACFA Program Initiatives
For the last year, PACFA program staff have been working hard to implement a two-year strategic plan that includes a number of specific initiatives. This strategic plan is the cornerstone on which the program intends to develop more balance that will focus not only improving inspection processes, but will allow us to expand into new efforts to do more education and industry outreach. We are happy to report that the PACFA program is on pace to fully implement these initiatives.
Thanks to new resources provided through the 2019 Sunset review, PACFA has established a new Inspection and Investigation Work Unit, our new manager Janee Boswell will be solely dedicated to the management of the inspection and investigation team. This, in turn, will allow us to develop a second work unit that will focus on licensing, education and outreach initiatives. Once we are able to secure additional resources for the Licensing and Educational Work Unit, we will begin to execute new projects that we have identified, including:
- Development of a Disease Control and Treatment Plan (DCAT Plan) Initiative to address the importation of sick animals into Colorado.
- Establishment of qualifying and continuing education for licensees.
We intend to begin these initiatives in 2020 with the establishment of small working groups to help develop the necessary framework. As we continue to implement our plan, we will provide regular updates in future newsletters. Click on the button below to view the entire strategic plan.
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FAQ's
PACFA Inspectors are dedicated to helping licensed facilities understand and follow PACFA and the rules and regulations. PACFA also responds and investigates consumer complaints on licensed and unlicensed facilities.
How Can I Contact My Inspector?
Your inspector is here to help you comply with PACFA and the rules and regulations! Contact your inspector with any questions that come up prior to an inspection. PACFA inspectors are typically out in the field conducting inspections or responding to consumer complaints and can be reached by cell phone.
When will my inspector do my next inspection?
PACFA's program goal is to perform a routine inspection at each licensed facility once per year. Routine inspections are typically unannounced and are scheduled based on several factors.
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Tips & Best Practices
This section will provide you with instructions and tips from PACFA inspectors on how to maintain your facility and ensure compliance with PACFA and the rules and regulations. Click on the links below to view each document.
If you would like to learn more about the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act, a specific PACFA rule, or a certain topic that you would like to see us highlight in a future newsletter please click the Contact Us button below.
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Updating the Primary Business Contact
What is the Primary Business Contact?
This is the person who is
legally responsible
for the facility's license and is the main point of contact. This person typically is the facility owner or the manager.
Ownership Change:
All PACFA licenses are non-transferable.
If you are purchasing an existing PACFA licensed business, a new application must be submitted by the new owner of the business.
How do I submit my request to update/change the Primary Business contact?
The instructions are posted on our website, under the 'I Would Like To' section.
Can I change/update the Primary Business Contact with my renewal?
Yes, however you will not be able to make this change online. You will need to renew with a paper application with the new Primary Business Contact signing the application. You
also
still are required to provide a letter from the facility's legal authority to request this change.
Please follow the instructions carefully.
Your request cannot be processed if required documents are not submitted together.
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Please share this newsletter with anyone who may be interested. Didn't receive this newsletter in your Inbox? Click the sign up button below to receive our Spring 2020 Newsletter. Our goal is to educate everyone about the PACFA Program. Please help support our efforts in safeguarding pet animals in pet care facilities throughout Colorado and protect consumers who purchase or adopt pets and who use pet related services.
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305 Interlocken Parkway
Broomfield, CO 80021
303-869-9146
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