Pet Animal Facilities
The Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) gives the Colorado Department of Agriculture the statutory authority to license and inspect all pet animal care facilities. Any person who is operating a pet animal facility that engages in selling, transferring, adopting, breeding, boarding, training, grooming, sheltering or rescuing any pet animal may need to be licensed with the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The Pet Animal Care Facilities Section is committed to making sure that pet care facilities meet minimum standards for physical facilities; sanitation; ventilation; lighting; heating; cooling; humidity; spatial and enclosure requirements; nutrition; humane care; medical treatment; and methods of operation and record keeping.
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.
To obtain a license for your facility contact the PACFA program office. Complete and return the application with the required fee. 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.
