Animal Vendor Requirements

An animal vendor is a person or company who sells, trades, or transfers an animal to another person as a commercial activity. Vendors 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 vendors comply with state rules.

Reptiles, Amphibians, and Poultry Chicks

State rule, WAC 246-100-191, says a vendor transferring a reptile, amphibian, or poultry chick for the purpose of being kept as a pet shall provide the buyer or recipient a written notification that includes:

• Information about possible diseases contracted from reptiles, amphibians, or poultry chick, such as Salmonella infection.

• Who is at greater risk for contracting and experiencing severe illness related to contact with reptiles, amphibians, and poultry chicks, such as young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised persons.

• Disease prevention messages, such as proper hand washing and recommendations for high risk groups.

To comply with this rule, a vendor can create their own written notification to give recipients, or they can use these handouts:

• Stay health around pet reptiles and amphibians! (PDF), CDC
• After you touch a duck or chick, Wash your hands, So you don't get sick (PDF)
  • Spanish - Después de tocar un pato o un pollito, Lávate bien las manos, Para evitar estar enfermito (PDF)

Psittacine Birds

State rule, WAC 246-100-201, says a vendor transferring a psittacine bird (parrots, macaws, cockatoos, cockatiels, lovebirds, parakeets, and all other birds of the order Psittaciformes) to a member of the general public shall provide each buyer or recipient with written information about psittacosis and avian chlamydiosis that includes:

• Signs of infection in a sick bird including nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, ruffled feathers, lethargy, and diarrhea.
• Symptoms of psittacosis in a human including chills, fever, headache, cough, and muscle aches.
• A warning that nasal discharge and droppings of an infected or sick bird may cause illness in humans.
• A warning that healthy appearing birds can shed the harmful bacteria that can cause psittacosis intermittently and that shedding can be activated by stress factors such as relocation, shipping, crowding, chilling, and breeding.
• A recommendation to consult a veterinarian or health care provider, as appropriate, if signs or symptoms occur.

A vendor must also post a readable sign accessible to the general public with this information about psittacosis and avian chlamydiosis.

To comply with this rule, a vendor can create their own sign and written notification to give to recipients, or they can use this handout:

• Psittacosis - Disease Can Be Spread by Birds (PDF)

More Information

• Zoonotic Disease Rules and Guidelines