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, horse or pony rides, or other animal exhibitions. 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.
Fair (and other animal venue) Zoonotic Disease Prevention Guide
The Washington State Department of Health has developed a Zoonotic Disease Prevention Guide for Fairs. It was developed for fair managers, planners and staff managing or working in animal exhibition areas. It is intended as a supplement to support compliance with the Washington state rule, WAC 246-100-192 Animals in Public Settings. This document is also helpful for other animal venues in addition to agricultural fairs.
Washington State Fair Guidance (PDF)
To comply with WAC 246-100-192, an animal venue operator can create their own signs, or they can use these "Wash Your Hands" and "Stay Healthy" poster options offered below:
- Wash your hands - Animals carry germs that can make you sick - English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Stay Healthy- Follow these steps, Version 1 - English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Stay Healthy- Follow these steps, Version 2 - English (PDF)
- Wash your hands - English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Exit sign - Wash your hand after visiting animals English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Wash your hands before eating English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Hand washing instructions English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Welcome to the Fair - Wash your hands English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Entrance sign - Warning of health risks and how to be safe while visiting animals English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Directional sign - Hand washing station right English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Directional sign - Hand washing station left English(PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Directional sign - Hand washing station down English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
The following are educational posters/fact sheets that describe ways for fair exhibitors, staff and volunteers, and visitors to stay healthy when around the animals.
- Fair Safety for Exhibitors - English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Fair Safety for Staff - English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
- Fair Safety for Guests - English (PDF) Spanish (PDF)
Magnets and Stickers
The following are production-ready templates of magnets and stickers meant to educate the public on zoonotic disease prevention and encourage and celebrate good handwashing habits. These templates can be downloaded and submitted to a local printing facility for production.
Magnets for fair managers (PDF)
More Resources
- Zoonotic Disease Rules and Guidelines
- Fairs and Exhibitions | Washington State Department of Agriculture
- Animals in Public Settings Toolkit (NASPHV)
- Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings, 2023 (NASPHV)
- Resources for Animal Exhibitors | Healthy Pets, Healthy People | CDC
- Reducing Risk for People Working with or Exposed to Animals | Bird Flu | CDC
Content Source: Zoonotic Disease Program