D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5, r. 5-A161

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 5-A161 - REQUIREMENTS FOR A CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACILITY WITH PETS AND ANIMALS

161.1

If a Facility permits pets or animals at the Facility's premises, it shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) A Licensee shall adhere to all local laws, regulations, and ordinances governing the keeping and maintenance of pets or animals;

(b) A Licensee shall maintain at the Facility premises proof of current compliance with all applicable registration and vaccination requirements for each pet or animal kept or maintained at the Facility;

(c) A Licensee shall advise the parent(s) or guardian(s) of prospective and enrolled children in writing of the presence of pets or animals;

(d) A Licensee shall ensure that all pets or animals permitted at the premises are in good health, show no evidence of carrying disease, are friendly toward children, and do not present a threat to the health, safety and welfare of children;

(e) A Licensee shall maintain all pets or animals in a visibly clean manner;

(f) A Licensee shall isolate any pet or animal showing evidence of disease, such as diarrhea, skin infection, severe loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, or any unusual behavior or symptoms. A Licensee shall ensure that any pet or animal suspected of being ill is promptly excluded from the presence of enrolled children and examined by a licensed veterinarian;

(g) A Licensee shall prohibit the presence of any pet or animal whose species is a common carrier of rabies, without specific proof that the pet or animal has been vaccinated against that disease;

(h) All pet reptiles shall be kept inaccessible to children at all times;

(i) A Licensee shall ensure that no pet or animal, except a service animal accompanying the person for whom the animal provides assistance, litter box, or pet or animal pen or cage is permitted in any area where food is stored, prepared, or served; and

(j) If an animal bites a child and the child's skin is broken, the Licensee shall immediately notify the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) and OSSE, and shall report it as an unusual incident pursuant to this chapter.

161.2

Licensee shall ensure that all contact between pets, animals, and children is supervised by a staff member who is in close enough proximity to remove the child immediately, if necessary.

161.3

Licensee shall ensure that pet and animal food supplies are kept out of reach of children.

161.4

Licensee shall ensure that pet and animal litter boxes are not located in areas accessible to children.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5, r. 5-A161

Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 14640 (12/2/2016)