Do impoundment facilities in counties with populations less than 75,000 need to meet minimum standards?

Impoundment facilities in counties with populations less than 75,000 are indeed exempt from meeting the minimum standards that apply to larger facilities. This exemption is rooted in the recognition that smaller counties may not have the resources or capacities to fully comply with all regulatory requirements meant for more populous areas, where the volume of animals and the complexities of animal control are significantly higher.

As a result, the regulations acknowledge a difference in the infrastructure and operational needs of smaller counties, allowing for a degree of flexibility in how they manage animal control and impoundment. The intent is to ensure that smaller communities can still operate functional animal control services without being burdened by potentially prohibitive standards that would be more applicable to urban settings. This exemption helps maintain a balance between effective animal control and practical capabilities in smaller jurisdictions.