SECTION 340:110-3-292. Animals

(a)   General.

(1)   When animals live on-site, visit the facility, or children have off-site contact with animals, the requirements in this Section are met.

(2)   Local ordinances regarding animals are followed.

(3)   Parents are notified of the presence of animals per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:110-3-280(d).

(4)   Animal bites are:

(A)   reported per OAC 340:110-3-280(a) and (d); and

(B)   documented as an injury per OAC 340:110-3-281.2(c) and 340:110-3-281.4(b).

(b)   Prohibited and inaccessible animals on-site.

(1)   Prohibited animals on-site, unless the requirements specifically state otherwise, include:

(A)   common hosts of rabies that cannot be vaccinated for that disease; and

(B)   wild or dangerous animals.

(2)   When stray dogs and cats are on-site, the program takes action to have them removed from the premises.

(3)   Birds of the parrot family, such as cockatoos, cockatiels, parakeets, and lovebirds meet Psittacosis testing requirements per (e) of this Section. Birds testing:

(A)   positive are prohibited on-site. When an antibody test result is positive, an antigen test may be conducted prior to prohibition; or

(B)   negative are inaccessible to children on-site.

(4)   Inaccessible animals on-site, unless the requirements specifically state otherwise, include:

(A)   ferrets;

(B)   spiders, such as tarantulas;

(C)   fish;

(D)   amphibians, such as frogs, tadpoles, newts, and salamanders;

(E)   reptiles, such as non-venomous lizards and snakes, turtles, terrapins, and tortoises;

(F)   hermit crabs; and

(G)   baby poultry, such as chicks, ducklings, and goslings.

(c)   Child and animal contact on-site and off-site.

(1)   Children may have on-site or off-site contact with animals that:

(A)   are friendly and not aggressive; and

(B)   do not pose a health or safety risk. The program does not allow children to have contact with prohibited or inaccessible animals per (b) of this Section. However, 6-year-olds and older may have limited contact with a potential Salmonella bacteria carrying animal identified per (g) of this Section, provided children:

(i)   only touch the animal with their hands; or

(ii)   wear protective outer garments that are removed prior to washing their hands.

(2)   During animal contact, personnel:

(A)   supervise the contact and are close enough to remove the animal or children immediately if the animal shows signs of distress or children show signs of treating the animal inappropriately; and

(B)   discourage children from hand-to-mouth activities, including prohibiting eating, drinking, and using a pacifier.

(3)   After animal contact, personnel ensure the hand washing requirements are met.

(d)   Hand washing and food.

(1)   The hand washing requirements are met per OAC 340:110-3-294(a). Personnel ensure adequate hand washing facilities are available for off-site animal activities or contact.

(2)   The food supply and potentially hazardous food requirements are met per OAC 340:110-3-299(b) and (c). This includes when taking a field trip to a farm where children taste foods.

(e)   Health of animals.

(1)   Animals are clean and healthy, showing no evidence of disease or infestation.

(2)   Animals with unusual behavior or who are showing symptoms of disease are isolated until examined and approved to return to the facility by a licensed veterinarian.

(3)   Rabies vaccination documentation is maintained per OAC 340:110-3-281.2(c).

(4)   Birds of the parrot family have Psittacosis test results prior to entering the facility and documentation is maintained per OAC 340:110-3-281.2(c).

(f)   Cleanliness.

(1)   Animals are restricted from:

(A)   the kitchen and food storage areas;

(B)   food-contact items and surfaces; and

(C)   children's resting surfaces.

(2)   Animal litter boxes are prohibited in the kitchen, food storage areas, or areas easily accessible to children.

(3)   Animal waste:

(A)   is inaccessible;

(B)   in animal habitats is disposed of daily; and

(C)   in outdoor play areas is disposed of before children play outside.

(4)   Sinks used for food preparation, obtaining drinking water, or hand washing are not used for:

(A)   disposing of used fish tank water; and

(B)   cleaning animal feeding and watering containers and habitats.

(g)   Salmonella cross-contamination prevention.

(1)   Potential Salmonella bacteria carrying animals are identified per (b)(4)(C) through (G) of this Section.

(2)   When these pet animals are on-site, additional precautions are taken to protect children from coming in contact with Salmonella bacteria due to environmental cross-contamination.

(A)   These pet animals are prohibited on floors, tables, and other surfaces where children may have contact.

(B)   Personnel ensure children avoid contact with animal habitats, feeding and watering containers, supplies, and any item having contact with these animals.

(h)   Visiting animal exhibits.

(1)   The program may allow visiting animal exhibits on-site for a special activity, including prohibited and inaccessible animals identified per (b) of this Section.

(2)   In these situations the:

(A)   visiting animal handlers are present with the animals at all times;

(B)   animals and their habitats are restricted from classrooms and where children eat and drink;

(C)   prohibited animals remain in their habitats for observation only;

(D)   other requirements in this Section are met; and

(E)   higher risk activity requirements are met per OAC 340:110-3-290.

[Source: Added at 32 Ok Reg 704, eff 1-1-16 (emergency); Added at 33 Ok Reg 1678, eff 9-15-16]