Animal Venue Operator Requirements

An animal venue operator is a person, company, or entity who offers a setting where public contact with animals is encouraged, such as a petting zoo, county fair, or horse or pony rides. Animal venue operators have responsibilities under Washington State rules to help prevent diseases from being transferred from animals to people. The following information and resources are to help venue operators comply with state rules.

Animals in Public Settings

State rule, WAC 246-100-192, says an animal venue operator shall provide a hand-washing station or alternative hand sanitizing method and post a prominent sign in a simple and easy-to-understand format for visitors to see before they enter the animal exhibit area which warns that:

  • Animals can carry germs that can make people sick, even animals that appear healthy.
  • Eating, drinking, or putting things in a person's mouth in animal areas could cause illness.
  • Older adults, pregnant women, immunocompromised people, and young children are more likely to become ill from contact with animals.
  • Young children and individuals with intellectual disabilities should be supervised in animal exhibit areas.
  • Strollers, baby bottles, pacifiers, and children's toys are not recommended in animal exhibit areas.
Animal venue operators must also post a prominent sign at each exit of the animal exhibit area reminding visitors to wash their hands. 
To comply with the above rule, an animal venue operator can create their own signs, or they can use these Fair "Wash Your Hands" Poster Series offered below:
Wash Your Hands Animals Carry Germs that can make you sick.

Handwashing is easy to do and it's one of the most effective ways to ways to prevent the spread of germs.

Fair managers and other animal venue operators are encourage to use the Fair "Wash Your Hands" posters to help educate their visitors.

More Resources

Content Source: Zoonotic Disease Progra