STATE OF ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ANIMALS IN SCHOOLS GUIDELINES FOR RESIDENT AND VISITING ANIMALS Animals in the classroom, whether resident class pets or short-term visitors, provide a positive experience on many levels. They may stimulate interest in and appreciation of nature, help develop observational skills, help develop responsibility and caring, and just be a lot of fun. It is also important to recognize that some animals are not suitable for the classroom, either by temperament, or because of the high risk from diseases they may carry. These guidelines will help you to decide which animals may live in or visit your classroom, explain how to handle them safely, and provide information on cleaning and sanitizing. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at one of the district offices listed below. Note: These guidelines do not preclude the use of service animals by special needs students or staff. ADEC DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FOOD SAFETY & SANITATION PROGRAM STATEWIDE OFFICES ANCHORAGE OFFICE 555 Cordova Street, 5th Floor Anchorage, AK 99501-5948 (907) 269-7501/FAX: (907) 269-7510 DUTCH HARBOR OFFICE P. O. BOX 465 Unalaska, AK 99685 (907) 581-4632 FAX: (907) 581-1795 FAIRBANKS OFFICE 610 University Avenue Fairbanks, AK 99709 (907) 451-2120 FAX (907) 451-5120 JUNEAU OFFICE 410 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 303 Juneau, AK 99801-1795 (907) 465-5285 FAX: (907) 465-5292 KENAI OFFICE 43335 Kalifornsky Beach Rd, Ste 11 Soldotna, AK 99669 (907) 262-5210 FAX (907) 262-2294 KETCHIKAN OFFICE 540 Water Street, Suite 203 Ketchikan, AK 99901 (907) 225-6200 FAX (907) 225-0620 KODIAK OFFICE PO Box 515 Kodiak, AK 99615 (907) 486-3350 FAX (907) 486-5032 SITKA OFFICE 901 Halibut Point Road, #3 Sitka, AK 99835 (907) 747-8614 FAX: (907) 747-7419 VALDEZ OFFICE P.O. Box 1709 213 Meals Avenue State Office Bldg./Courthouse Rm 1 Valdez, AK 99686 (907) 835-8012/FAX (907) 835-2429 WASILLA OFFICE 1700 E. Bogard Road Building B, Suite 202 Wasilla, AK 99654 (907) 376-1854 /FAX (907) 376-2382
RESIDENT PETS IN THE CLASSROOM This section applies to animals that are residents in the classroom during all or most of the school year. Animal Control* Reasons Any wild animal Not allowed May carry rabies, parasites, other diseases, may bit or claw Any poisonous animal Not allowed May bite; importation not allowed by state law (AS 16.05.921) Birds Finches, doves Allowed See handling and cleaning precautions Psittacine birds (parrot family: parrots, macaws, cockatiels, parakeets) Chickens, baby chicks, ducks, ducklings Large birds not allowed. Small parrots & parakeets conditionally allowed. They must be isolated from other birds for at least 45 days, given prophylactic antibiotics, and have no exposure during breaks, vacations, etc. to other birds. Birds already in the classroom should receive prophylactic antibiotics. Conditionally allowed K-6. Allowed 7-12. Hatching incubated eggs is acceptable as long as children don t handle chicks, and chicks are removed from classroom when hatched. Not allowed Large parrots and macaws can inflect serious bites. All may carry psittacosis, a bacterial disease that can be dormant for long periods. See handling and cleaning Often infected with salmonella and campylobacter bacteria; cause many cases of illness in children. See handling and cleaning Predatory birds (hawks, eagles, owls) May inflect serious bite or talon injuries Fish Allowed See handling and cleaning Reptiles, amphibians Conditionally allowed K-6. All carry salmonella bacteria; have (turtles, iguanas and other Allowed 7-12. caused many cases of illness in lizards, snakes, frogs, In K-6, these animals must be in a children. See handling and cleaning covered glass terrarium or similar salamanders) enclosure that prevents unsupervised contact.
Mammals Rodents (domestic Allowed See handling and cleaning rats, domestic mice, hamsters, gerbils) Rabbits Allowed Some children are allergic. May scratch; consider temperament of individual animal. See handling and cleaning Monkeys Not allowed May bite, may carry diseases Bats Not allowed May bite, may carry diseases Ferrets Not allowed K-6 Allowed 7-12 May bite; consider temperament of individual animal. Must have current rabies vaccination. *Animals listed as Not Allowed are considered unsafe under 18 AAC 30.370. *Animals listed as Conditionally Allowed have greater health risks associated with them than those allowed. For these animals, active supervision must be provided and a sign posted (see sample at the end of this document) stating that 1) the animal may not be handled except under direct supervision; and 2) hands must be washed thoroughly with soap and warm running water immediately after handling the animal. VISITING ANIMALS IN THE CLASSROOM This section applies to those animals that visit the school, but are not residents in the classroom. Wild Animals Are acceptable only when presented at schools by professionals who have experience handling wildlife, or the animals are displayed in enclosed cages which prevent contact between animal and the children. Because of the high incidence of rabies in wild carnivores (weasels, foxes, etc.), these animals are not permitted on school grounds under any circumstances (including recently dead animals). The importation of poisonous animals is prohibited by state law, except by special permit.
GENERAL GUIDELINES A notice should go out to parents before animals visit. It is important to know ahead of time about any students that have allergies. Animals brought to school must be clean and healthy so that the risk of their transmitting diseases to students is minimal. Children are more susceptible to zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans) and parasites than adults (less frequent handwashing, and more finger to mouth activity). Immunocompromised students may be particularly susceptible and special precautions may therefore be needed with them. Visiting animals must be restricted to an area designated by the principal or administrator. Vaccinations and health Dogs or casts that visit the school must have a current proof of vaccination for rabies. Dogs and cats should be clean and in good health, free of any known internal or 3eternal parasites (such as fleas). They should be housebroken, and provisions may need to be made for a box or temporary area outside where they can relieve themselves. Dogs and cats should not be in estrus ( heat ) at the time of visit. Puppies or kittens that are not yet housebroken should only visit for short periods and be in confined area. Elderly animals may be unsuited to the stress of exposure to a noisy classroom. Proper Restraint of Animals Because animals may react strangely to classroom situations, it is important to have an effective way to control them. Fear may cause an animal to attempt to escape or even act aggressively in situations that are unusual to them. Appropriate restraint devices will allow the holder to react quickly and prevent harm to the students or escape of the animal. Dogs and cats must be wearing a proper collar and/or harness, and leash when on school grounds as they can be easily controlled. The owner or person responsible for the animal should stay with the animal during its visit to the school. Animals are not allowed to roam unrestrained. Pet birds must not be allowed to fly free in a classroom. Handling Precautions Even very tame animals may react aggressively in strange situations and healthy animals can carry disease. Therefore, student contact with animals is to be supervised and guided by a few basic rules as noted on the following page.
HANDLING PRECAUTIONS Follow good hand washing and hygienic practices. o Wash hands with soap and warm water immediately after handling the animal. Be sure students do not eat while handling pets or while other students in the room are playing with the pets. Do not allow animals in the vicinity of sinks where children wash their hands or drink. Keep the animals out of areas where food is prepared or stored or any area where food utensils or dishes are cleaned or stored. Dining areas including tables, countertops or classroom desks are to be effectively cleaned and sanitized prior to the next meal or snack. Because increased activity and sudden movements can make animals feel threatened, all student contact with animals is to be organized and supervised. Animal bites can be avoided if students are kept in small groups. CLEANING PROCEDURES General Clean and sanitize cages or aquariums when students are not present. Removed animal wastes and clean and sanitize around cages daily. Clean and sanitize cages as needed, but at least monthly. Always clean and sanitize before bringing in a new pet. Minimize the area that will be contaminated during cleanup. Be sure the area can be easily cleaned and disinfected (i.e., constructed out of nonabsorbent smooth material). Never clean cages on or near areas that are used for food preparation or where food is eaten. Wear disposable gloves and always wash your hands thoroughly after you finish cleaning and have removed the gloves. Use soap and warm running water, wash vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Avoid causing the animals undue stress during cage cleaning; stress makes them more susceptible to disease.
How to Clean and Sanitize 1. Wash the cage and accessories with hot soapy water to remove the majority of the dirt and animal waste. 2. Rinse thoroughly with hot water. 3. Sanitizers must be used after the gross filth has been removed and the surface has been rinsed of any soap residue. Be sure to allow adequate contact time. Effective Sanitizers (Be sure to use one approved by your school district): 1. Household Bleach, unscented. This is the cheapest, most readily available sanitizer. Use it at 100 PPM (1/2 tsp. per quart of water) and allow at least 10 minutes of contact time. If bleach is used, use test strips (available at food service supply stores) to check the concentration. 2. 1% Lysol 3. Quaternary Ammonium (i.e, Roc-cal, Vire, Lemonex, Nolvasan, and Chlorohexidine Gluconate) 4. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Follow manufacturer s specifications on the label and allow the prescribed contact time (usually 10 minutes). Label any spray bottles used with the sanitizer name and concentration. Re-make solutions in bottles frequently because exposure to light and air may cause sanitizers to lose their effectiveness. Birds: Prevent wastes from the cage from becoming airborne by using dustless cleaning methods (e.g., Use a moist cloth to pick up waste around the cage. Never use a vacuum to pick up wastes, as it will aerosolize the material. Use cages designed so that wastes stay contained between cleanings. Line the bottom of the cage with an impermeable material that can be changed daily. Rodents: Use cages designed to keep wastes contained between cleanings. (Rodents like to shred and kick their bedding.) Clean water and food dishes daily. Note: Cedar and pine shavings are not recommended because they are toxic to the animals when used over a long period of time.
Fish: Change aquarium water frequently and maintain the filtration system to keep water quality good. Never dispose of aquarium water in sinks used for food preparation or where children get drinking water (keep away from classroom drinking fountains!) Clean and sanitize sink where aquarium water has been emptied. Reptiles (where allowed): Keep reptile enclosures, water/food containers as clean as possible. Avoid splashing your face when cleaning reptile cages. If necessary, wear goggles and a facemask to prevent accidental exposure to harmful bacteria. Never allow reptiles to bathe or soak in classroom sinks. It is extremely important to carefully clean and disinfect any area that may have become contaminated. SAMPLE SIGN FOR CONTIONALLY APPROVED CLASSROOM ANIMALS This animal is allowed to remain in this classroom under these conditions: 1. This animal may not be handled except under direct supervision. 2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water immediately after handling this animal.