Pet Animal Facilties
What is PACFA?
The Colorado Pet Animal Care Facilities Act was created by the pet animal industry who requested a state regulation. The Governor signed the state statute in 1994. This group of industry representatives in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Agriculture wrote the rules and regulations which make up the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act.
Who benefits from PACFA?
The PACFA program benefits license holders by providing a clear set of guidelines for operation of pet animal facilities. The general public benefits by having the assurance that there is oversight of the facilities where pet animals are raised and receive care. Pet animals benefit by receiving care in facilities that are required to adhere to a higher standard.
What does PACFA do?
PACFA sets facility standards for sanitation, ventilation, heating, cooling, humidity, space and enclosure requirements, nutrition, humane care, medical treatment, methods of operation, maintenance of records, euthanasia and transactions. The program's goal is to ensure facilities are meeting or exceeding these standards.
Who needs a license?
- Retail and wholesale pet animal dealers
- Retail aquariums
- Pet animal boarding and/or training facilities
- Pet animal handlers
- Pet groomers
- Animal shelters
- Dog breeders
- Cat breeders
- Common and Uncommon bird breeders
- Small mammal breeders
- Animal rescue
How do I get a PACFA license?
To obtain a license for your facility complete and return the application with the required fee. If you are a sole proprietor, then you will be required to fill out the Citizenship/Immigration Status Verification Form - you will not be required to fill it out again. An inspector will contact you to inspect your facility. The inspector will issue your license when you pass the initial inspection. License renewal is due March 1 of each year. Significant changes to your business may require license update during the year.
How often are PACFA facilities inspected?
The PACFA program is a risk based inspection program. Each new facility receives a risk assessment rating of low, medium, or high based on the type of business being conducted. Inspection is then conducted every three years, every 18 months, or every six months according to the risk classification. The goal of the inspection is to cite violations that don't meet PACFA standards and to set a date for correction that will bring the facility into compliance.
How do I complain about a facility?
You can file a complaint online or by calling (303) 239-4167. The department investigates all complaints against PACFA licensed facilities to determine whether any violations of PACFA rules have occurred. If violations are found during inspections, the facility is assessed penalty points, which are used in part to determine risk based inspection classification.