Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 310 - Oklahoma State Department of Health › Chapter 675 - Nursing and Specialized Facilities › Subchapter 7 - Administration › Section 310:675-7-19 - Residential and visiting pets

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a)
				Each facility that allows residential or visiting animals shall adopt and
				comply with policies that meet or exceed 310:675-7-19(a) and 310:675-7-19(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 facility desires to include other types of
				animals in their program, the facility 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 facility 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 facility 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
				facility adopts policies ensuring non-disruption of the facility.
(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 facility:
(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 facility;
(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 facility. 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
				facility's policy on residential and visiting pets, and shall document that
				they have read and understood the policy.
(8) The facility 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.