WAC 388-97-0980. Pets

(1) Each resident must have a reasonable opportunity to have regular contact with animals, if desired. (2) The nursing home must: (a) Consider the recommendations of nursing home residents, resident councils, and staff; (b) Determine how to provide residents access to animals; (c) Determine the type and number of animals available in the facility, which the facility can safely manage. Such animals should include only those customarily considered domestic pets; (d) Ensure that any resident's rights, preferences, and medical needs are not compromised by the presence of an animal; and (e) Ensure any animal visiting or living on the premises has a suitable temperament, is healthy, and otherwise poses no significant health or safety risks to residents, staff, or visitors. (3) Animals living on the nursing home premises must: (a) Have regular examinations and immunizations, appropriate for the species, by a veterinarian licensed in Washington state; and (b) Be veterinarian certified to be free of diseases transmittable to humans. (4) Pets must be restricted from: (a) Central food preparation areas; and (b) Residents who object to the presence of pets.