The City of Tshwane By-law for Keeping of Animals, Birds and Poultry ensures that the health of people and animals is preserved and that animals are properly looked after. Contact Municipal Health Services one-stop centre at 012 358 4656.
Application
The provisions of sections 130(b), (c), (d), (f) and (g), and 131(d), (f) and (g), do not apply to any person keeping ten or less rabbits.
Permit Requirement
No person may keep more than 5 adult rabbits on an erf in a proclaimed township or more than 20 adult rabbits on premises zoned for agricultural purposes, except in terms of a permit authorising that activity.
Requirements for premises
No person may keep rabbits in premises which do not comply with the following requirements:
In relation to a rabbit hutch –
(i) every wall must be constructed of brick, stone, concrete or other impervious material and must have a smooth internal surface;
(ii) the floor surface must be –
(aa) constructed of concrete or other impervious material brought to a smooth finish;
(bb) situated at least 150 mm above ground level; and
(cc) graded to a channel drained in terms of section 143, if required by an environmental health officer;
(iii) adequate ventilation must be provided; and
(iv) the rabbit hutch must be adequate in size to allow free unobstructed movement of animals kept therein.
(b) any rabbit run must be enclosed with wire mesh or other durable material and constructed in a way that prevents the escape of rabbits from the run;
in relation to a building or structure housing a battery system:
(i) every wall must –
(aa) be at least 2,4 metres high;
(bb) be constructed of concrete, stone, brick or other durable material; and
(cc) must have a smooth internal surface;
(ii) if walls are provided, the building or structure must be ventilated and lighted by means of natural openings or windows of an area not less than 15% of the floor area of the building or structure;
(iii) the floor must be constructed of concrete or other impervious material
brought to a smooth finish, and if required by an environmental health officer, the floor surface must be graded to a channel drained in terms of section 143;
(iv) if no walls are provided, or the walls are made of metal, the floor must be provided with a curb at least 150 mm high around its outside edges; and
(v) every cage must be constructed of an impervious material and fitted with trays of an impervious material for the reception of manure;
(d) a water supply adequate for drinking and cleaning purposes must be provided in or next to every rabbit hutch or building or structure housing a battery system;
(e) no person may erect a rabbit hutch, rabbit run or building or structure housing a battery system within five metres of –
(i) any dwelling, building or other structure used for human habitation;
(ii) any place where foodstuffs are stored or prepared for human consumption; or
(iii) the nearest boundary of any land;
(f) an adequate rodent-proof storeroom must be provided for the storage of feed; and
(g) adequate washing facilities must be provided for the cleaning of cages.
Duties of keepers of rabbitsAny person who keeps rabbits must –
(a) keep all rabbits within the rabbit hutch, rabbit run or building or structure housing a battery system;
(b) maintain the premises and any equipment, apparatus, containers or receptacles used in connection with keeping rabbits, in a clean, sanitary . condition and in good repair;
(c) maintain the premises free from offensive odours and every rabbit hutch, rabbit run or building or structure housing a battery system and all cages clean and free from pests;
(d) provide portable manure storage receptacles of an impervious material with close-fitting lids which receptacles must be kept on a platform;
(e) remove all manure and any other waste matter from the rabbit hutch, rabbit run or building or structure housing a battery system, at least once every 48 hours;
(f) keep the manure and waste in manure storage receptacles until it is removed from the premises; and
(g) remove the contents of the manure storage receptacles from the premises at least once every seven days and dispose of the contents in a way which will not create a public health nuisance.
Article source: http://www.sapoultry.co.za/
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CONTACT SA Poultry:
Tel: 011 795 9920
Email: reception@sapoultry.co.za
