Page 1837

7 AAC 67.345. Animals. (a) A foster home shall ensure that any animal kept in the foster home or that has regular and frequent contact with children in care has no communicable disease, has immunizations required under state and federal law, and is free of internal and external parasites. The foster home shall show proof of compliance with required immunizations to the department upon request. (b) Before accepting placement, the foster home shall inform the child’s caseworker if any animal is present in the foster home. The department may require a supervision plan related to animals and children in care. (c) The foster home shall ensure that

(1) any birds, fish, and other animals in the home are kept in appropriately designed cages or aquariums; the requirements of this paragraph do not apply to domestic dogs and domestic cats;

(2) the area around a cage or aquarium is cleaned and sanitized at a frequency to keep the area clean and sanitary; and

(3) animal waste is removed daily, or at a frequency to prevent odor and threat of disease. (d) The foster home shall

(1) disclose to the department information regarding any animal in the home, if that animal has a history of aggressive behavior or biting, regardless of whether the animal has been the subject of a past contact with an animal control official;

(2) notify the department not later than 24 hours after any occurrence of aggressive behavior or biting by an animal in the home, including whether the occurrence resulted in a contact with an animal control official; and

(3) permanently remove from the home and premises an animal described in (1) or (2) of this subsection, if the department determines that the animal is a threat to the life or safety of children in care. (Eff. 7/1/2022, Register 242) Statutory Authority: Authority: AS 44.30.020 AS 47.32.010 AS 47.32.130

AS 47.14.120 AS 47.32.030 AS 47.32.140