Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 310 - Oklahoma State Department of Health › Chapter 680 - Residential Care Homes › Subchapter 7 - Environmental Health and Sanitary Requirements › Section 310:680-7-6 - Residential and visiting pets

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a)
				Each home that allows residential or visiting animals shall adopt and comply
				with policies that meet or exceed 310:680-7-6(a) and 310:680-7-6(b). The
				facility's policies shall describe the schedule of animal care and zoonotic
				infection control for the respective facility. The facility shall not allow any
				animal to reside in the facility until all of the following requirements are
				met:
(1) The animal is a dog, cat, fish,
				bird, rabbit, or guinea pig. If a home desires to include other types of
				animals in their program, the home shall submit a supplemental request
				accompanied by its policies, procedures, and guidelines to the Department and
				receive written approval from the Department prior to implementation.
(2) For residential pets, excluding fish, the
				number of animals in a home shall be limited to no more than one dog per 50
				residents; 1 cat, rabbit, or guinea pig per 30 residents; or 1 bird per 20
				residents, unless the home has received the Department's prior approval of a
				greater number of pets through a supplemental request pursuant to
				310:675-7-19(a)(1).
(3) The home adopts policies ensuring
				non-disruption of the home.
(4) All
				pets are housed and controlled in a manner that ensures that neither the pet
				nor the residents are in danger. A pet cage or container must not obstruct an
				exit or encroach on the required corridor width.
(5) The following veterinary medical services
				are obtained for each pet, when applicable to species, and a record of service
				is maintained on file at the home:
(A) A
				health certificate from a veterinarian licensed to practice in Oklahoma stating
				the animal is healthy on physical exam and of acceptable temperament to be
				placed in the home;
(B) Proof of
				evaluation by a veterinarian licensed to practice in Oklahoma for presence of
				internal parasites on a semi-annual basis and for the presence of external
				parasites as needed;
(C) Proof of
				current rabies immunization for dogs and cats, and leptospirosis immunization
				for dogs administered by a licensed veterinarian;
(D) Proof of spaying/neutering for dogs and
				cats over six months of age; and
(E) Statement from a licensed veterinarian
				certifying that each bird tested negative for
Chlamydia
				psittaci
infection (psittacosis) within 30 days prior to placement in
				the home. Birds equal in size to or larger than a parakeet shall receive a
				serologic test. Culture from fresh droppings or cloacal swab will be acceptable
				test in smaller birds, such as canaries and finches.
(6) The pet's skin appears normal, and its
				coat or feathers are free of ectoparasites, matted hair, feces, and other
				debris.
(7) Residential pets shall
				be the responsibility of the administrator, who shall designate at least one
				attendant to supervise the care and maintenance of resident animals. The
				administrator and the designated attendants shall at least annually review the
				home's policy on residential and visiting pets, and shall document that they
				have read and understood the policy.
(8) The home provides for the cleaning and
				disinfecting of any areas contaminated by urine or excrement, and for the
				regular cleaning of aviaries, aquariums, and animal cages. Water in aquariums
				and fish bowls shall be appropriately maintained to prevent bacterial growth in
				the water.
(9) Residential dogs and
				cats shall not be allowed to remain in the resident areas after visiting hours.
				No animal shall be allowed in an area used for food storage or preparation,
				dining, medication preparation or administration, or clean or sterile supply
				storage.
(10) If there is more than
				one resident per room, permission shall be obtained from each resident in the
				room before allowing animal visitation.