Library: Policy

340:110-3-292. Animals

Revised 6-1-22

(a) General.

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

(2) Local animal ordinances are followed.

(3) Parents are notified of animals' presence, 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 ineligible for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-approved rabies vaccinations; and

(B) wild or dangerous animals.

(2) When stray animals 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;

(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.

(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, children 6 years of age 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 his or her hands; or

(ii) wear protective outer garments and remove prior to hand washing.

(2) During animal contact, personnel:

(A) supervise contact and are close enough to remove the animal or children immediately if the animal shows distress signs 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 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 farm field trips where children taste foods.

(e) Animal health.

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

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

(3) Rabies vaccinations are specific to the species, and 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) kitchen and food storage and preparation areas;

(B) food-contact items and surfaces; and

(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

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

(A) fish tank water disposal; or

(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 animals are on-site, additional precautions in (A) and (B) of this subsection protect children from Salmonella bacteria contact.

(A) Animal contact with floors, tables, and other children's surfaces is prohibited.

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

(h) Visiting animal exhibits.

(1) The program may allow visiting animal exhibits on-site for special activities, 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 habitats are restricted from classrooms, where children eat, drink, or rest, and from food preparation areas;

(D) children do not have contact with prohibited and inaccessible animals, unless allowed, per (c) of this Section;

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

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