(1) ONB providers may have pets or other animals on the ONB program premises. If an ONB provider keeps pets or animals on the ONB program premises:

(a) ONB providers must have and follow a pet and animal policy that:

(i) Describes how children will access and interact with pets or animals;

(ii) Describes how children will be kept safe around the pets or animals;

(iii) Track pet immunizations; and

(iv) Gives instructions for handling pet waste or avoiding animal waste, if applicable.

(b) ONB providers must provide written notice of the potential presence of pets or animals to all enrolled children's parents or guardians.

(2) Pets or other animals controlled by ONB programs that have or may have contact with children must:

(a) Have all required vaccinations, pursuant to local and county regulations;

(b) Show no signs of illness, disease, worms, or parasites. If these symptoms appear, the pet or animal must be removed from the licensed space until appropriately treated for the condition; and

(c) Be nonaggressive.

(3) ONB providers must:

(a) Require that chickens, ducks, turkeys, doves, pigeons, or other birds that are provided by ONB programs:

(i) Are caged, cooped, or penned when they are not a part of a supervised ONB program activity so that they are inaccessible to children; and

(ii) Are kept at a distance that prevents children from having direct access to the animal's enclosures or waste when they are not a part of a supervised ONB program activity.

(b) Prevent debris from spilling out of a container or cage used for pets and animals;

(c) Not allow pets and animals in the kitchen during food preparation and ensure pets and animals do not come into contact with food, food preparation, or serving areas while food is served;

(d) Not use a sink that is used for cleaning food or utensils to clean pet supplies; and

(e) Store pet and animal medication separate from human medication.

(4) ONB providers must require:

(a) Animals and pets to go to the bathroom outdoors if the animals do not have designated indoor litter areas. The designated outdoor areas must be inaccessible to children in care, unless part of a sustainable farming practice approved by the department for an ONB program;

(b) Pet containers and cages to be cleaned and disinfected at least weekly, or more often if needed;

(c) Litter boxes to be kept inaccessible to children and cleaned daily;

(d) Animal waste and litter be disposed of as soon as possible and the area disinfected. ONB providers must prevent children from handling animal waste, and must ensure children wash their hands and change clothing if they come into contact with animal waste;

(e) Animal waste be inaccessible to children, unless part of a sustainable farming practice approved by the department;

(f) Animal waste to be disposed of in a manner that prevents children from coming into contact with the waste material;

(g) Animal waste, including fish tank water, to be disposed of in unlicensed space or toilets or custodial sinks. Toilets and custodial sink areas must be washed, rinsed, and disinfected after disposal; and

(h) Indoor and outdoor play space to be cleaned and disinfected where animal or bird waste or vomit is present, not including natural outdoor spaces utilized by ONB programs. This must be done as soon as possible or prior to access by children.